Dizziness can be distressing, and daily dizziness can be incapacitating. Many systems in the body work together to maintain balance, including the inner ear, eyes, brain and nerves. A variety of disorders can cause dizziness, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Dizziness is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits. Daily dizziness may be caused by a serious disorder, and should be evaluated by a physician.
Meniere's Disease
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the middle ear that produces vertigo, or periods of experiencing a sensation of spinning. Sufferers commonly complain of tinnitus, or a ringing or roaring sound in the affected ear, decreased hearing and a sense of ear fullness, says the American Academy of Otolaryngology. The cause is unknown, but it is believed that the disorder results from an accumulation of fluid in the middle ear. One or both ears may be involved. A diuretic, or water pill, anti-vertigo medications, injections of corticosteriods or antibiotics into the ear or a Meniette device to equalize pressure are common treatments for Meniere's disease.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, can seriously affect balance, especially in the elderly, and lead to falls. It is thought to be caused by displaced calcium carbonate crystals within the ear that create the sensation of motion even when the person is still. It can occur spontaneously or follow ear surgery, ear infection, head trauma or viral infection. Vertigo occurs when the head is moved, such as bending over to pick something up, explains Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Episodes of vertigo may only last for a few seconds and are typically worse in the morning. Nausea and vomiting may occur. Anti-vertigo medications are not typically used because side effects can worsen the dizziness. Specific sequences of maneuvers to reposition the displaced crystals in the ear is a common treatment that minimizes symptoms.
Acoustic Neuroma
The acoustic nerve, or the vestibulocochlear nerve, transmits sound from the inner ear to the brain and facilitates balance, explains Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. An acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous tumor that develops in the acoustic nerve and causes dizziness, loss of balance, hearing loss, nausea and vomiting, headaches, facial numbness and double vision. Acoustic neuromas commonly only affect one ear. There are no known risk factors. As the neuroma grows, it puts pressure on nearby structures and can threaten certain brain functions. Surgery or steroetactic radiatiotherapy, a highly precise method of applying radiation directly to the tumor, are treatments for acoustic neuroma.
