If you’re feeling a bit shaky on your feet despite the absence of an earthquake, no worries; you are not just imagining things. It could very well be due to your ears.
As kids, we’ve all been on rides at amusement parks or on boats that made us feel dizzy. However, if you feel as though you’ve just come off a roller coaster when you haven’t even moved at all, you may have a balance problem caused by your inner ear. What occurs is as follows.
There are three canals in the inner ear, and each one responds differently to vertical, horizontal, angular, and rotational motion. There is fluid in these canals and small cells on floating membranes inside the fluid relay messages to the brain. This additional sensory data complements the visual and tactile cues you already have for navigating the real environment.
The brain is responsible for making sense of all this sensory data and turning it into actionable forms like movement, equilibrium, and control. If the balance of those incoming signals is disturbed, the individual may experience vertigo, nausea, or a sensation that the world is spinning. There’s a chance you could even feel dizzy or like you’re going to pass out.
Several medical issues might throw off your inner ear’s balance system, but with the right medical attention, you should be able to get back on your feet again.
1. Earwax
Earwax is a normal part of life for everyone, while some people naturally produce more than others. It can clog the ear canal when it accumulates, leading to difficulty hearing and balancing. Clogged earwax symptoms are more common in the elderly, but it can also result from inserting objects like cotton swabs into the ear, which can alter the wax instead of eliminating it.
If you have earwax buildup, your primary care physician may recommend irrigation or prescribe drops to soften the wax and help it fall out. A doctor can remove it in the office using a microscope if it is particularly large or if you have other ear problems.
2. Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s illness, named after the doctor who originally reported it, is characterised by vertigo bouts, tinnitus, hearing loss, and an ear fullness or ringing sensation caused by fluid accumulation in the inner ear. Circulatory issues, allergies, autoimmune reactions, infections, and hereditary predispositions are all suspected causes, but doctors can’t pinpoint a definitive reason.
Meniere’s disease has no known cure; however, it can be effectively treated to alleviate its symptoms. Treatment options include medication, dietary adjustments, and, in extreme situations, surgical intervention.
3. Symptoms of Vertigo
The term “vertigo” refers more to the symptom than the diagnosis; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a specific condition that causes symptoms including dizziness and imbalance. When you have BPPV, your brain receives erroneous signals regarding your movements because tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear have become dislodged. Thus, you may find yourself suddenly spinning whenever you move your head or body.
Although BPPV is more common among the elderly, it can also be triggered by head trauma, labyrinthitis, or a family history of the condition. Most cases of BPPV are simply addressed by having your doctor conduct a specific sequence of motions meant to realign the crystals.
Conclusion
If you are feeling dizzy, it could be due to your ears. While dizziness can be a symptom of a more serious problem, it is usually no cause for alarm.
There are three main types of ear problems that can cause dizziness: Earwax, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), and Meniere’s disease. If you think you might have one of these problems, it is important to see a doctor so that you can get immediate treatment and feel better in no time.
If you need help regarding your balance issues, look no further than our expertise here at Country Hearing Care. Our institution offers hearing tests, hearing aids, balance issues, Hearing Aid Servicing, wax issues and more. Call us today to book your first aural care appointment with us.
