Inner Ear Problem, Loss of Balance/ Gets Violently Ill

Could it be Vertigo - the virus? It can last a few weeks to a few months or more. My sis had it and it was started by an ear infection.

A few years ago, I started having the same exact problem. I went to numerous doctors and all they would do is prescribe anti-emetic pills. They helped a little with a nausea but did not help with the dizziness and balance issues. I finally went to an ear nose and throat doc. and he said that all people have little crystals in their ears and mine had come loose and were bouncing around causing the imbalance and nausea. He said he could try something that had worked on a few of his patients. He tipped me upside down and shook my head back and forth very quickly. It Worked!!! I had been bed ridden for 2 months and have not had a problem since!

I have been able to help many people with this type of problem. Although it is common, especially around and after age 50, it seems the understanding of what it is and what simple things can be done about it is less common. I have found that even many MDs are not trained to know the best solution for this condition.

There is an MD, Dr. Timothy Hain, a professor of neurology at Northwestern University, that has done such remarkable research in this area that he is known as 'The Dizzy Doctor'. You can find a great deal of very helpful information on Dr. Hain's website: http://www.tchain.com/cv/hain-t.htm

A common cause of dizziness, that is relatively easily remedied, is 'benign proximal vertigo'. This condition can be easily eliminated with some simple exercises. If you search BPV on the Mayo Clinic's website, you will find instructions that are similar to some of Dr. Hain's. But Dr. Hain's website, http://www.tchain.com/cv/hain-t.htm, will also explain other conditions that cause a sense of vertigo that are less common, such as ototoxicity that is most commonly caused by taking antibiotics. His site will also explain that Tai Chi exercises have proven to be very helpful for BPV.

If it is benign proximal vertigo, the movements shown on these websites will improve the dizziness, but will not solve the foundational cause of it. In almost all cases the issue is caused by some form of inflammation that affects the vestibular functions of the ear. This can be the result of food and/or environmental allergies or sensitivities. When I experienced vertigo, I finally learned it was due to an inflammatory disorder which eventually developed into an arterial inflammatory disorder that could have lead to a stroke and caused leg pain. The vertigo I had experienced a few years earlier was an early warning of a dangerous condition that was developing. As I was satisfied to simply stop the vertigo symptom, I did nothing to stop the inflammatory problem until it became obvious to me that my situation was becoming quite serious.

As I learned about research done by Dr. Peter D'Adamo, author of Live Right 4 Your Type, I learned how most common inflammatory disorders are the result of eating foods which are difficult to metabolize for one's blood type. When I started eating foods that were healing and beneficial for me and strictly avoided foods on my 'avoid' list, my inflammatory disorder cleared up astonishingly quickly.

The reason I am telling you all of this is that you should not see an MD with this type of condition without first gaining some understanding about this very common issue. I have known people to stay on toxic medications for years, trying to battle the dizziness. Although some meds were able to stop the dizziness, they felt dependent on the drug that caused other side effects and did not really solve the foundational condition which eventually took their life. I have known people whose doctors were willing to start throwing drug after drug at them to see which one MIGHT help. In each case it turned out to be BPV. Once they started the exercises and adjusted their diet, they were better than ever within a few weeks or a couple of months.

This is one condition where you had better know what your doctor should know before you go in to see her/him. They simply have not been trained to know this stuff! So, some have learned it on their own and some haven't. When I run into a doc that doesn't seem to know what he is doing in this area and wants to start medicating and starts ordering expensive tests, I just ask, "Do you think it could be benign proximal vertigo? I was reading about it on the Mayo Clinic's website." The doc looks up and says something like, "Yes, I was reading about that." Then he makes an excuse to leave and returns 30 minutes later talking like an expert on the subject! He has the patient do a few of the movements and sends them home with instructions to continue the exercises.

The reason I find this so disturbing is that 'dizziness' is the most common reason people over 50 go in to see a doctor! Since BPV is the most common cause of this dizziness, I would expect them to educate the patient toward the most healthy way to correct this symptom and help them understand that this is often an early warning sign of an inflammatory disorder. Such inflammatory disorders can develop into arthritis, fibro-myalgia, and cardio vascular disorders. The doc should help you understand this and then help you find the life-style changes that will keep you healthy.

Most chiropractors will provide this kind of care for their patients. It is a shame that most people think chiropractors are only there for back pain and headaches. If people would ask their chiropractor about other troublesome conditions, they might be surprised what they would learn! I know chiropractors that have helped women successfully avoid hysterectomies and cured babies ear infections without drugs or invasive procedures. It just doesn't make sense to refer to the most helpful and least risky methods as the 'alternative' methods!

L.

I have heard of a virus going around that has been infecting the inner ear. You can buy over the counter meclizine which will help with dizziness.

You may also try muccinex if you have fluid in the ear.

I had the same problem and I'm the one that put that request through. As it turned out, it was a virus after all. This very strange and very long virus swept through my entire daycare. We didn't figure it out for awhile. I have never seen anything like it.

To begin with it starts out as nausea and dizziness and it comes and goes for 2-3 weeks. There was no fever and it came on just after having a sinus infection. It seems that just about all of us did have the sniffles or even a bad sinus cold just before. So that's why we never knew what was really happening. But eventually all of us had taken turns vomiting and having times where we felt like we would with days of feeling totally fine between.

Well, one by one we have all had diarrhea now too. Even I have had it and I am chronically constipated and have a blockage in my intestines that's caused by everything being squashed together. I've had this now for going on a month. I still get nauseated and dizzy from time to time and several of the parents are telling me the same thing. The kids will have a few decent stools and then a loose stool. It's been going on for so long. The terrible dizziness seems to last about 2-3 weeks before the loose stools set in.

I suppose it's possible that we have had 2-3 different viruses sweep through. But I don't think it's any small coincidence that we have all managed to go through these same stages.

Suzi

It sounds as if she has Vertigo. However, Vertigo, or dizziness, is a symptom, not a disease, usually as a result of an infection or disturbance of the vestibular system, or the inner ear. It is probably caused by a virus. My brother-in-law was just diagnosed.

sounds like vertigo. I had that one time motion sickness medicine will help.

Dingy

It is something that is called "vertigo" and can feel like being seasick and drunk together (not fun!). Vertigo is a "catchall" name for these symptoms and can be caused by a variety of problems. Most of these issues are not worrisome, but rarely there can be more serious causes.
Depending on the cause, treatment can be antibiotics, anti-inflammatories (sometimes a short course of prednisone), certain physical therapy maneuvers, anti-nausea and/or anti-motion sickness/vertigo meds, etc. so your friend really needs to see her healthcare provider to get to the bottom of it. Unfortunately, many people, once they get a bout of vertigo, can get it again and again with colds, allergies, etc.

Sounds like Vertigo. She needs t see a E.N.T right away. I say that because she can fall and injure herself. I had that and one thing he had me do was lay down and sit up with someone behind me 15 times in a row. I would get dizzy.

I had the exact same thing, same symptoms -- Dramamine, the travel medication, worked for me. I was also given Meclizine, the prescription, but it's the same stuff.

I know how miserable that is! Good luck to & God bless your friend!

My husband has had the same problem for several years and we didn't know the cause until he passed out on his grandmother's front porch ~7 years ago. He was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease, which is a fluid build-up in the inner ear. Low sodium diet and low caffeine (preferably none) helped considerably, but he still has to take medicine on an as need basis. I would have your friend contact an ENT as they are the best person to help.

Good luck. I know how frustrating it can be.

She needs to see an Ear nose and throat dr soon don't let this go.They will see if she just needs an antibiotic for an infection or other medication.They will do a complete hearing test may move her head in various positions to make sure there are no crystal that have fallen into the inner ear and balancing tests it can get expensive but at least what I went through doing all the testing is to rule out brain tumors inner ear problems that need medication or just treatment of crystals I was diagnosed with begin positional vetigo and yes it makes you sick.whenever I get an earache I have to use a drop of perioxde or alchol to dry out any water and it helps.

Sounds like Vertigo to me... I say go to the doctor.

I developed the same symptoms, literally overnight. I thought I had an inner ear infection, which I didn't. Although I had no hearing problem, a hearing test and thorough examiniation by an ear/nose/throat doctor determined I had meniere's disease, which is very treatable. Small changes in diet, ie low, low sodium, made a huge difference. I also carried low dosage valium (2 mg tablets) with me. At the slightest hint of an episode of vertigo, I took 1 tablet, and that did the trick. I have now been symptom-free for 8 years. I will caution that the first doctor I saw wanted to do surgery to put a shunt in to relieve the symptoms. I am so grateful I got a second opinion. I hope this information is helpful to your friend.

It could be a couple of things.
1) Inner-ear infection
2) Meniere's disease (my issue)
3) TMJ

Best thing to do is go to her "regular doctor" and have them check it out first.

To counteract the balance/vertigo/nausea have her try Dramamine (or any other "sea sickness"/"motion sickness" medicine). My doctor recommended Meclezine (can buy OTC, but usually have to ask the pharmacist). The medicine will allow her to (at least) be able to function, and not be sick, until she can get to the doctor.

Try a chiropractor, they might be really able to help!

Hello L.,
I have a condition called SCDS (superior canal dehiscence syndrome) It is an inner ear disorder that causes severe dizziness in addition to numererous other symptoms. I would tell your friend to go to a specialist to get tests run. It took months and months for me to get any answers from doctors. I eventually self-diagnosed myself from researching on the internet. I eventually went to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore to get evaluated, and they confirmed my diagnosis. I then had a craniotomy in October '08 to have my canal plugged and disabled. I'm not saying she has this, because it is a very rare disorder, but I never thought I would have it either. Meniere's is also a vestibular condition, that is way more common but does not have a cure. If all fails tell your friend she should get a high resolution cat scan ordered from an ENT who is familiar with SCDS and Meniere's so that can be ruled out. I feel for her, I have been through that and all I can say is it stinks! Good luck.