Dizziness is a term that encompasses a variety of feelings that include lightheadedness, feeling faint and spinning sensations. Although other conditions can cause dizziness, it is commonly caused by abnormalities and growths in the ear. Although dizziness rarely indicates a serious condition, it is one of the most common reasons that adults visit the doctor, notes MayoClinic.com.
Meniere's Disease
The labyrinth, a fluid-filled chamber in the ear, is responsible for hearing and balance. Meniere’s disease is a condition that occurs when the composition or volume of fluid in the labyrinth changes. The change in fluid causes nerve receptors in the ear to send abnormal signals to the brain. The most common symptom of Meniere’s disease is vertigo, which is extreme dizziness characterized by intense spinning sensations. The extreme dizziness often leads to nausea, vomiting and increased sweating. Other symptoms of Meniere’s disease include a constant ringing sound, known as tinnitus, and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear. Treatment for Meniere’s disease is aimed at reducing the amount of fluid in the body and the ability of the body to retain fluid. This involves with a low-salt diet in combination with the use of diuretics. A surgical procedure to remove the labyrinth can successfully alleviate symptoms but typically is used in severe cases because the procedure results in hearing loss.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is one of the most common causes of vertigo, an intense dizziness characterized by spinning sensations. Often, the cause of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is unknown, but in some cases it can be a result of a minor head trauma or inner ear disorders. In addition to extreme dizziness, other symptoms include unsteadiness, loss of balance, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo usually is treated with a procedure called canalith repositioning, according to MayoClinic.com. During this procedure, a physician moves the patient’s head through a series of maneuvers that aim to resettle particles in the ear that may be causing dizziness. If canalith repositioning is ineffective, surgery may be required to block the part of the ear that is causing the dizziness.
Acoustic Neuroma
An acoustic neuroma is a benign, slow growing tumor that develops on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. Although it does not spread to other parts of the body, the acoustic neuroma can cause significant nerve damage. Acoustic neuromas are believed to develop as a result of a rare genetic defect. Common symptoms of an acoustic neuroma include extreme dizziness, hearing loss in the affected ear and tinnitus. Less common symptoms include headache, loss of balance, numbness, pain in the face or ear, and vision problems, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Small acoustic neuromas are usually not treated since treatment often carries a risk of hearing loss. The growth of tumors can be slowed down with stereotactic radiosurgery, a form of radiation therapy. Larger tumors must be surgically removed.
