What Has VERTIGO got to do with my Ears

The human ear has another function other than to allow people to hear what is going on around them. To be able to hold conversations, to hear birds singing to appreciate music and to listen to the television on radio etc.
The other major function of the ear is to help people keep their balance. This balance mechanism is found in the inner ear and consists of three fluid filled canals containing minute hair cells. When the head moves the fluid in the canals move and therefore cause the hair cells to vibrate sending electrical impulses to the brain. The brain then interprets these electrical impulses as a signal that the body is moving into a different position.
If something interferes with this process and the messages to the brain become distorted then this could cause Vertigo. Vertigo is a medical term for the feeling of loosing your balance or that the world is spinning around. It could often cause a person to fall down if they could not hold onto something to steady themselves. An example of this can be seen at a simple party trick when a person is told to hold onto something like a walking stick and then spin around the stick a number of times. When they stop it will be noticed that he or she finds it very difficult to stand or walk in a straight line. This is because they have caused the fluid in the inner ear canals and also the hair cells to become very unstable sending different messages to the brain.
There are three types of Vertigo of which the most common is called Benign Positional Vertigo. This condition is generally very mild and manifests itself in many common situations. You may experience it if you suddenly stand up after bending down for some time. If fact any sudden change in position can cause Vertigo but these cases usually only last a few moments until the brain readjusts its messages. If this feeling lasts more than a few minutes and in a very recurring condition it is most likely due to the formation of crystals in the fluid in the canals. These crystals can give false information to the brain causing it to misinterpret what is in fact taking place. There are exercises that are recommended to help overcome this problem.
The second tyhpe of Vertigo is called Viral Neuronitis which as the name suggests is mainly caused by a virus infection to the inner ear. This infection can upset the function of the hair cells causing incorrect information being sent to the brain. This could cause very bad and prolonged Vertigo even incapacitating the sufferer for a number of days. The Vertigo will gradually decrease as the virus infection is controlled.
The third type of Vertigo is Acute Labyrinthitis, again caused by a virus infection. This does not only cause the normal symptoms such as balance problems but if not treated correctly can also cause hearing loss and Tinnitus. It is therefore, very important that this is diagnosed quickly before permanent damage is done.
There is another disease called Meniere`s disease which causes Vertigo, also hearing loss and Tinnitus, which if not treated will become permanent.
It is always advisable to contact your GP as soon as any Vertigo appears as he will be able to advise you if any treatment is necessary or what you can do yourself to help the situation.