Dizziness is a general term that encompasses feelings that can range from lightheadedness to feeling unsteady to an intense spinning sensation, which is called vertigo. Although daily dizziness can interrupt normal routines and daily activities, it is not usually indicative of a major disease. In fact, MayoClinic.com notes that dizziness is one of the most common reasons that adults visit their doctors.
Meniere's Disease
The labyrinth is a portion of the inner ear that is filled with a fluid called endolymph and is responsible for hearing as well as balance. When the head moves, endolymph moves and triggers nerve receptors to send signals to the brain about the body’s motion. Meniere’s disease is a condition that occurs when there is a change in volume or composition of the endolymph. The change in volume causes abnormal nerve signaling, which results in extreme dizziness, ringing in the ears, loss of hearing and a feeling of pressure in the ear. Treatment for Meniere’s disease focuses on reducing the body’s retention of fluid by following a low-salt diet and taking diuretics, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Surgery to remove the labyrinth can eliminate dizziness, but since this can result in hearing loss, it is only used in severe cases.
Acoustic Neuroma
An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that grows on the cranial nerve that runs from the brain to the inner ear. The exact cause of an acoustic neuroma is unknown, but it is believed to have some genetic components, according to MayoClinic.com. An acoustic neuroma causes excess pressure on the cranial nerve, which results in gradual hearing loss, constant ringing in the affected ear, dizziness, loss of balance, and facial numbness and weakness. There are two treatment options for an acoustic neuroma: stereotactic radiosurgery, which involves localized radiation to stop the tumor growth, and surgical removal.
Benign Positional Vertigo
The semicircular canals are fluid-filled tubes in the inner ear that aid in balance maintenance and determining body position. Benign positional vertigo is a condition that develops when a piece of calcium travels into one of the semicircular canals, which sends abnormal signals to the brain about body position. Benign positional vertigo may be a result of a minor head injury or prior ear infections, according to MedlinePlus. Symptoms of benign positional vertigo include dizziness, changes in vision and vomiting. Benign positional vertigo is treated with a series of head movements called Epley’s maneuver. During Epley’s maneuver, a doctor will move the head into a series of positions that aim to remove the calcium deposit from the semicircular canal. If dizziness is severe, MedlinePlus notes that medications may also be prescribed to relieve spinning sensations.
