Allergies are your body’s reaction to a seemingly harmless substance. Histamine is released to fight the substance, which causes a runny nose, itchy eyes and sinus congestion. One of the lesser known allergy symptoms is a severe form of dizziness called vertigo.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is the sensation that you or your environment is spinning. Caused by an issue with the inner ear, vertigo is often accompanied by:
- Vomiting
- Jerking eye movements
- Headache
- Sweating
- Tinnitus
Link Between Vertigo & Allergies
In addition to inner ear diseases and Meniere’s disease, allergies can also cause episodes of vertigo.
This connection may be related to Eustachian tube dysfunction. The Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the inside of the nose and back of the throat. Nasal congestion and increased mucus from seasonal allergies can also affect the nose since they are all connected via the Eustachian tube.
The primary role of the Eustachian tubes is to regulate pressure in the middle ear. When congestion prevents them from doing this, the vestibular system can be impacted.
Middle ear infections cause inflammation in the ear, leading to dizziness and vertigo. Allergies can increase your risk of ear infections.
Allergy Treatments
If your doctor thinks your unexplained episodes of dizziness may be linked to your seasonal allergies, they will review your treatment options.
Medications
There are a number of allergy medications available. The most common include:
- Nasal steroids
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants
- Corticosteroids
- Mast cell stabilizers
Immunotherapy
While medications treat your allergy symptoms, they do nothing to treat the underlying cause. Immunotherapy is a preventative treatment that involves receiving a gradually increased dose of the substance you are allergic to. After a while, you will begin to become desensitized to the allergen as your body creates a blocking antibody. This reduces your symptoms when you encounter the substance in the future.
There are three types of immunotherapy:
- Allergy shots
- Allergy drops
- Allergy tablets
Your San Diego ENT can help you find the right type of treatment to help reduce your allergy symptoms, including episodes of vertigo. Contact your allergist today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.