What is Causing My Dizziness?

Find out if those symptoms of vertigo could be due to problems with the ear.

There are many reasons why you may feel dizzy. Maybe you got up too quickly or you’ve been in a rush all day and realized you haven’t eaten. Of course, there are certain times when the dizziness or spinning you’re feeling is due to an issue within the vestibular system, the system within the ear that is responsible for spatial orientation and balance. Find out when you should turn to an otolaryngologist to treat your symptoms of vertigo.

In order to diagnose your dizziness, there are several diagnostic tests that may be conducted. Your ENT doctor will go through your medical history and then perform a physical examination. We will ask you questions regarding the symptoms you are experiencing and when you experience them. A hearing test is one of the most common procedures performed because it’s the best way to test your balance and the inner ear.

There are many problems that could be to blame for your dizziness including:

Problems or disorders within the inner ear
Central nervous system disorders
High blood pressure
Anemia
Bacterial or viral infections
Side effects of certain medication
Dizziness can be treatable, it’s just important to be able to determine the root cause so we know the best approach for treating your symptoms. So, when should you see an ear, nose and throat doctor regarding your dizziness? You should contact an ENT specialist if:

Your primary care doctor has not been able to determine the cause of your dizziness
You are experiencing hearing loss, hearing changes or ringing in the ears
There is pressure or fullness in the ear or ears
Common ENT causes of dizziness and vertigo include:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): caused by the displacement of crystals within the inner eye
Meniere’s disease: an imbalance of fluid within the inner ear
Labyrinthitis: inflammation or infection with the inner ear (can cause hearing loss if left untreated)
Vestibular neuritis: a viral infection of the vestibular nerve
One of the first tests a doctor will perform is an eye movement test that will check for issues within the inner ear (vestibular system). From there, your doctor will create a treatment plan based on the cause. Common treatment options include:

Medication to reduce motion sickness and nausea from vertigo
Canalith repositioning procedure: a technique that helps reposition the crystals within the inner ears (for treating BPPV)
Migraine medications (to treat Meniere’s disease and vestibular migraines)
Rehabilitation and exercises to improve balance
Surgery (in rare cases)
If you’ve been dealing with severe or persistent dizziness then it’s time to contact an ENT doctor to find out what’s going on.