Your sense of hearing and balance are linked in one complete system. The hearing mechanism is divided into three main parts, the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Your balance system is located in the Inner ear portion of the hearing mechanism. The inner ear is a spiral shaped organ called the cochlea, the organ of hearing. At the top of the cochlea there are three loops called the Semicircular Canals. The Vestibule connects the Semicircular Canals to the cochlea. These organs are filled with fluid.

The Semicircular canals and the Vestibule regulate equilibrium or balance. Within the Vestibule there are two chambers containing nerve endings, which sense changes in the position of the head in relation to gravity. The Semi-circular canals are positioned at right angles to each other much like the corner of a room with two walls and a floor. This allows the Semicircular canals to detect turning movements in all three-plane dimensions. There are nerve endings located in the Semicircular canals to detect these movements. They also detect changes such as, speed, direction and degree of movement. These changes are interpreted through the movement in the fluid, which signal the nerve endings delivering the message to the brain. Whenever a movement is made the brain is receiving information from your balance system, as well as information from your eyes and muscles. The brain processes all of this information to keep you standing, walking and balanced!

The unprovoked sensation of dizziness can be a sign of a medical or physical abnormality. Dizziness has several forms ranging from lack of balance, wobbliness to severe dizziness, disorientation and nausea. Dizziness can be triggered by many things and is very common. It has been reported that more than a third of people have experienced dizziness. Conditions within the ear can influence your balance system. Outer and middle ear infections can infect the mastoid bone then move to the inner ear causing dizziness by inflammation and pressure. Another condition, increased fluid in the inner ear, can cause pressure and dizziness. This fluid increase may also cause a condition call tinnitus or a ringing, or hissing in the ears and can be disorienting and range in severity. Poor circulation can also affect your equilibrium causing dizziness. Allergies, emotional stress, tension, fatigue, high blood pressure and reactions to medication are other causes of dizziness.

How to Help

If you are experiencing dizzy spells, you should first consult with your physician who will determine the cause of your spells. This is accomplished through diagnostic tests given by your physician or other professional.

It is important to remember that dizzy spells are a symptom of problems with your balance system and should be taken seriously.

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