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Are Dizziness and Sinus Issues Related?

Dizziness | Austin TXDizziness is a vague term. It can mean an off-balance feeling, a spinning (vertigo) feeling, or just feeling like your head is in a cloud. Although dizziness can come from neurologic issues, frequently the cause is an ear issue.

Ear issues such as middle ear pressure, eustachian tube dysfunction, and inner ear inflammation (labyrinthitis) are usually caused by nasal and sinus issues.

When a patient has chronic allergies, chronic or recurring sinus infections, nasal polyps, or anatomical issues such as a deviated septum they are much more likely to have ear issues.

types of ear issues

Ear issues created by nasal and sinus issues include:

  • Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) – this is negative pressure in the middle ear with popping and a full sensation. There is frequently also dizziness or an off-balance sensation.
  • Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion (COME) – this is middle ear fluid buildup with hearing loss and frequently an off-balance feeling.
  • Acute Otitis Media (AOM) – this is an ear infection which can cause ear pain, hearing loss, dizziness, and can lead to inner ear inflammation (labyrinthitis)
  • Labyrinthitis – this is inflammation of the inner ear which can cause severe vertigo (spinning sensation), sudden hearing loss syndrome, or both.

treatment and management

Vertigo and permanent hearing loss are serious conditions and they require prompt evaluation and management. This may include a special form of therapy called Trans-tympanic dexamethasone therapy (TTDT) to reverse the injury to the inner ear and repair vertigo and hearing loss.

No treatment for dizziness, vertigo or sudden hearing loss is complete without a thorough evaluation of the nasal and sinus area. We perform high definition nasal endoscopy and a mini-CT scan of the sinus area on all patients presenting with these complaints to get to the root cause of the issue.

schedule a consultation

If you suffer from dizziness, vertigo, eustachian tube issues, recurring ear issues, or sudden hearing loss contact our office at (512) 601-0303 for a consultation for a thorough evaluation and a cure of these issues.

Posted in: Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

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