(Dizziness) Severe pain accompanied by nausea… Brain problem? Ear problem?

When experiencing dizziness, most people worry about anemia or stroke, but in about 80% of cases, the cause is in the ear. A domestic study found that anemia is the cause of dizziness in 1-2% of cases, and stroke in 0.7%. If you're experiencing dizziness but can't figure out the cause, visiting an otolaryngologist (ENT) will usually reveal the cause. An ENT specialist will perform nystagmus tests (eye examinations) and hearing tests to determine the cause. Common ear diseases and symptoms that cause dizziness are listed below.

◇Sudden, severe dizziness: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) accounts for 90% of vertigo caused by the ear. It occurs when stones (otoliths) normally located in the vestibular organ migrate into the semicircular canals, which control balance. The condition causes sudden, unbearable vertigo that lasts for a few seconds and is worsened by movement. Nausea may also occur. It is more common in the elderly and women. Treatment involves otolith replacement surgery, a physical therapy procedure that repositions the head to return the otoliths to their original position. 90% of patients recover after one treatment.

◇​If you have a cold and feel dizzy: Vestibular neuritis

If you experience dizziness after a cold, you may have vestibular neuritis. A virus that invades the inner ear causes inflammation, disrupting balance. For a day or two after onset, dizziness can be so severe it interferes with daily life, but it gradually improves and lasts for about three weeks. Symptoms include nausea, chills, and cold sweats. Medication is used to control symptoms for the first day or two, followed by vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Vestibular rehabilitation involves focusing on a specific area or moving your head in various directions. This therapy should be continued until symptoms subside.

◇​Feeling of water in the ears and hearing loss: Meniere's disease