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What Causes Tinnitus And Dizziness With Sinus Problems?

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Posted on Sat, 6 Sep 2014
Question: I have tinnitus in both ears, a little dizziness with sinus problems also to top it off I have 2 decaying teeth on both sides of cheeks that need to be pulled and aches from time to time. both side of my face right besude my ears feels full and i have pressure in the middel of my face right above nose and in between eyebrows

could the teeth be the cause of all of this? or something else
doctor
Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Caries tooth could be the source of sinusitis...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query. I do understand your problem; I will try my best to help you out with this.

1. Tinnitus in the ears could be because of your sinus related issues. During the episodes of sinus infection, the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear) gets blocked due to pressure variation in the ear, thus causing the discomfort in the ear and tinnitus. If the sinus issues resolve, then automatically, the ear problem will also get solved.

2. Caries of the tooth can also cause maxillary sinusitis and thus the pain over the face and around the eyes. This can be confirmed with a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses.

3. In your case, the dizziness could be due to the recurrent sinusitis. Recurrent sinusitis blocks the opening of the sinuses. The sinuses thus blocked, retains the secretions and increases the weight of the skull and thus dizziness.

My suggestions to you are:

1. To drink plenty of warm water - to re-hydrate the tissues and help in effective clearing of the mucous secretions from the nose.

2. Do steam inhalation 3-4 times a day, at least for a couple of minutes. This will relieve the nasal block as well as open the Eustachian tube.

3. Avoid coffee/alcohol/chilled food and beverages/smoking (if any).

4. Use steroid nasal spray such as fluticasone or momentasone to reduce the nasal congestion and the allergy.

5. A mucolytic such as bromhexine or ambroxol will help in thinning out the secretions and relieve the block.

6. Use saline nasal spray to relieve the nasal block and easy clearance of the mucus secretions.

7. If the symptoms do not resolve, request your doctor to get a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses. This gives an accurate picture of the sinuses and the blocks if present.

Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards

Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (56 minutes later)
Would pseudoephedrine help? I just took a tablet
doctor
Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
One single dose of pseudoephedrine is not harmful

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

Pseudoephedrine would be ideal for running nose. It increases the consistency of secretions and reduces the nasal congestion. But, in the case of sinusitis it worsens the block and thus increases the discomfort.

Do not worry! One single dose of pseudoephedrine is not going to worsen your problem. Please follow the instructions as per my previous response, you will definitely feel better.

Wish you good luck and good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (36 minutes later)
To you am I describing symptoms of menieres?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I doubt Ménière’s disease...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

Ménière’s disease can develop at any age, but it is more likely to happen to adults between 40 and 60 years of age. The history given by the patient becomes the basis of diagnosis.

The typical Ménière’s is characterized by:
1. Sudden onset of two or more episodes of vertigo (spinning around sensation) lasting at least 20 minutes each
2. Tinnitus
3. Temporary and fluctuating hearing loss
4. A feeling of fullness in the ear
5. Nausea or vomiting

In your case, it is hard to diagnose as Ménière’s, as you do not have most of the symptoms. Also, audiological investigation is required to confirm the same. Hence, I do feel, it is more of sinus related issues rather than any inner ear cause.

Hope this clears your doubts.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (11 hours later)
One more question Mr XXXXXXX along with the tinnitus and sinus issues

in my ears when people speak to me sometimes I can feel it, almost like my eardrum fluttered with every word they say. Am I going crazy? I feel like with all these symptoms I am losing my mind and control almost like I'm not normal amymore
doctor
Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Weak eardrum can cause fluttering...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

A weak eardrum does cause fluttering on hearing external sounds. Also, sensitive tensor tympani muscle in the middle ear can cause fluttering of the eardrum on listening sounds.

The former happens because of the recurrent assault by the Eustachian tube block and the cause of the latter is not known.

So our principle aim is to rectify the Eustachian tube block caused because of the sinus issues.

Wish you good luck and good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)
As for what you are describing of what I have, is that the same as ETD?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, it is broadly classified as ETD

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

Yes, you are right, this is broadly classified as Eustachian tube dysunction (ETD).

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (13 hours later)
Is there anything that can fix my dizziness? Im seeing horror stories about ETD that looks bad
doctor
Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
ETD is treatable...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Dizziness is not a disease, it's a symptom of some underlying cause which needs to be evaluated.

In your situation, the sinus block can reduce the amount of oxygen taken into the lungs, there by, increasing the retention of carbon dioxide. Excess carbon dioxide can make a person dizzy. Secondly, sinus blockage can cause retention of the secretions in the sinuses, making the skull heavy and cause dizziness.

Relieving the nasal block can reduce the dizzy spells.

It's a myth that ETD can't be cured. With correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment, ETD can be cured.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (3 hours later)
Im sorry to ask you so many questions, could you tell me about labyrinthitis?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Labyrinthitis include dizziness, hearing loss, etc

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back. I apologize for the delay in answering the query.

1. Labyrinthitis (inflammation of the labyrinth) occurs when an infection affects the sensitive vestibulo-cochlear nerve, resulting in hearing changes as well as dizziness. Labyrinthitis usually follow viral infection. Symptoms range from mild dizziness to a violent spinning sensation (vertigo), nausea, vomiting, unsteadiness and imbalance, difficulty with vision, and impaired concentration. Audiological investigations help us in making a diagnosis and MRI to rule out other causes.

2. Please feel free to ask any number of questions. I do understand the psychological turmoil you are undergoing because of all these problems. Our duty is to help the people who are in distress. I wish you recover fast.

Good luck and may God bless you.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 2540 Questions

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What Causes Tinnitus And Dizziness With Sinus Problems?

Brief Answer: Caries tooth could be the source of sinusitis... Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for posting the query. I do understand your problem; I will try my best to help you out with this. 1. Tinnitus in the ears could be because of your sinus related issues. During the episodes of sinus infection, the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear) gets blocked due to pressure variation in the ear, thus causing the discomfort in the ear and tinnitus. If the sinus issues resolve, then automatically, the ear problem will also get solved. 2. Caries of the tooth can also cause maxillary sinusitis and thus the pain over the face and around the eyes. This can be confirmed with a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses. 3. In your case, the dizziness could be due to the recurrent sinusitis. Recurrent sinusitis blocks the opening of the sinuses. The sinuses thus blocked, retains the secretions and increases the weight of the skull and thus dizziness. My suggestions to you are: 1. To drink plenty of warm water - to re-hydrate the tissues and help in effective clearing of the mucous secretions from the nose. 2. Do steam inhalation 3-4 times a day, at least for a couple of minutes. This will relieve the nasal block as well as open the Eustachian tube. 3. Avoid coffee/alcohol/chilled food and beverages/smoking (if any). 4. Use steroid nasal spray such as fluticasone or momentasone to reduce the nasal congestion and the allergy. 5. A mucolytic such as bromhexine or ambroxol will help in thinning out the secretions and relieve the block. 6. Use saline nasal spray to relieve the nasal block and easy clearance of the mucus secretions. 7. If the symptoms do not resolve, request your doctor to get a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses. This gives an accurate picture of the sinuses and the blocks if present. Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries. Regards Dr. Naveen Kumar N. ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon