Brief Answer:
Acute Labrynthitis

Detailed Answer:
Good morning and many thanks for posing your question with EXACTLY the BEST information you could've included in such a few number of words! Bravo for recognizing the salient features of your disorder! ;)

The most likely explanation to the SUDDEN and never before felt symptoms that you describe would be an acute labrynthitis or if not that some form of acute of labrynthine process which could include things such as dehiscence of the roof of the internal auditory canal or the presence of either a small fistula or aneurysm in the vicinity of the cochlea of the inner ear.

There is another condition which is common in persons older than 55 years of age called BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO where people tell a similar story of sudden rotating or spinning sensations when head position is changed such as turning in bed or standing up from a lying position. In this condition, however, there is almost always some type of prior history at least of minor symptoms which now have progressed to being so out front that they can't be ignored. You state this really did only come on acutely and that is why I'm more leaning toward an inflammation of the inner ear by some means.

The most likely cause of acute labrynthitis would be either a bacterial or viral infection. With bacterial infections there is often pain in the affected ear, fever, and malaise. Symptoms of an infection usually precede the vertigo by at least a day or 2. If viral then, it could come on without much warning taking one to several weeks to clear out.

Your best course of action to make the diagnosis is to see your primary doctor for an initial analysis. If it is truly an ear infection that can be attributed to a bacterial entity then, antibiotics of an appropriate type should clear the problem up. If viral then, no specific treatment would be necessary except the usual fluids and nutrition as it will pass on its own. If on the other hand your doctor discovers elements to your story of a more chronic process or if there is a problem of hearing loss or any other unusual symptoms then, a referral to either a neurologist or ENT specialist, neuro-otologist, or even neuro-ophthalmologist would be the most logical referral moves in order to ascertain the problem and come up with the best course of action.

I will make this aside that even though it may be tempting to send you to an OPHTHALMOLOGIST or OPTOMETRIST to check your glasses and things of that nature (I see these sorts of suggestions in my patients) your symptoms as you've described them would not benefit from that type of initial action. Neither ophthalmologists or optometrists would be as adequate to diagnose this type of issue which most likely resides in the EAR as well as the other specialists I mentioned above.

If I've adequately answered your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and being sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating if you feel my answers/suggestions have helped? Again, many thanks for posing your questions and please let me know how things turn out.

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 17 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.

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