Ear Infection
Many people don’t realize that ear infections can cause severe problems beyond pain and fever. In some cases, ear infections can lead to loss of balance. Ear infections occur when the middle ear becomes inflamed.
When the middle ear becomes inflamed, it interferes with this process. The result is that we may have difficulty hearing or not be able to hear at all. In addition, the inflammation can cause a feeling of fullness or pressure in the affected ear. Viruses most often cause ear infections, but bacteria can also cause them.
The inflammation caused by an ear infection can also affect the inner ear, which is responsible for our sense of balance. The inner ear contains fluid-filled chambers called semicircular canals. These chambers help us keep our balance by sending signals to our brains about our body’s position in space.
When the inner ear is infected, it can’t send these signals effectively. As a result, we may feel dizzy or off-balance. In some cases, inner ear infections can lead to vertigo, a type of severe dizziness that causes the illusion that everything around a person is spinning.
