Why do I feel dizzy with inner ear fluid and vertigo?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was told by my primary care physician that I have some fluid in my inner ear. I have also had dizziness, nausea, and a feeling like the room is spinning. I also think that I have vertigo, but I am not sure. The episodes happen at night and sometimes during the day. My current medication includes Lisinopril, Gabapentin, and Meclizine.

Is there something that I could do to get rid of this feeling?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

There can be two possible diagnoses in your case, but I need to know if you have any of the above symptoms. Either it can be benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (a common inner ear disorder causing brief, intense, and sudden spinning sensations, when changing head positions, such as turning in bed, bending over, or looking up) or Meniere's disease (a chronic, non-curable inner ear disorder that causes severe dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the affected ear).

I would advise you to take complete bed rest for about three days (minimum) and restrict salt. I suggest any one of the following tablets for a week. Betahistine, Cinnarizine, or Prochlorperazine maleate. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and take the medicine with consent.

And I want to ask you a few questions:

Do your symptoms increase when changing position?
Do you have fullness in the ear, a ringing sensation in the ear, or reduced hearing?

I hope this answers your query.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

With the details you provided, I suggest you consult an otolaryngologist at the earliest, as the inner ear (vestibular system) is concerned with hearing as well as maintenance of balance.

Ear fullness, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and episodic vertigo are characteristics of Meniere's disease, which is otherwise known as endolymphatic hydrops.

We must investigate the same further using a

High-resolution CT (computed tomography) scan of the temporal bone.
And also an audiometry.

Some other investigations that would help us are roll-over tests. Considering you are going for a tour, you should get an exact diagnosis, so that we can be assured of no untoward incident during your leisure trip.

I would still suggest you avoid salt and take one of the tablets I suggested above. I also suggest Acetazolamide as it decreases fluid production inside the inner ear.

I hope this answers your query.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.