The ear is a complex system made up of bones, fluids and passageways that work closely together to provide the sense of hearing as well as maintain balance. Structural abnormalities or fluid changes within the ear are often the cause of intense dizziness, which results in nausea that may even lead to vomiting. The dizziness that occurs because of ear abnormalities is described as a sensation that the room is spinning. This sensation is called vertigo.
Meniere's Disease
The inner ear contains a bony structure called the labyrinth that is divided into two parts: the bony labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth is filled with a fluid called endolymph. When the head moves, it causes the endolymph to move and hit nerve receptors in the ear that send the brain signals about the body’s movement. In some individuals, the membranous labyrinth may burst, which causes the endolymph to mix with other fluids in the ear. This causes an increase in fluid volume as well as a change in fluid structure.
When the composition of fluid is changed, the nerve receptors begin to send the wrong signals to the brain about movement, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The brain interprets these signals as it normally would and thinks that the body is moving even when it is not. This results in a condition called Meniere’s disease which is characterized by vertigo and a resulting nausea with a desire to vomit. Other symptoms of Meniere’s disease include increased sweating and tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ear. Since Meniere’s disease is caused by fluid changes, treatment usually focuses on reducing the body’s ability to retain water. This is done through low-salt diets and diuretics. In severe cases, the labyrinth may be surgically removed. This procedure is rare, however, because it results in hearing loss.
Benign Positional Vertigo
Benign positional vertigo is a condition that occurs when a piece of calcium breaks off from somewhere in the ear and moves into the endolymph. Prior ear infections and minor injuries to the head are believed to be the cause of the calcium breakage. The piece of calcium disrupts normal nerve signals to the brain, which results in vertigo, nausea, vomiting and vision changes. Although it does not cause any major health problems, benign positional vertigo can be severely debilitating. The condition is treated with a series of head movements called the Epley’s maneuver, according to MedlinePlus. The goal of this maneuver is to move the head through a series of positions that will force the calcium to move out of the endolymph.
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is the inflammation of the labyrinth. When the labyrinth is inflamed, it cannot function properly, which results in vertigo, involuntary eye movements, hearing loss in the affected ear, loss of balance, nausea, vomiting and ringing in the ears, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Labyrinthitis usually develops as a result of prior ear infections, but can also occur due to allergies or certain drugs. Labyrinthitis usually clears up on its own within a couple of weeks. If the inflammation is caused by an infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to speed up healing.
