Nasal Polyps & Dizziness: What’s the Connection?

Do you suffer from dizziness? If so, the culprit behind this symptom may be nasal polyps. We review this connection below.

What Are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are soft, benign growths that form inside the nasal or sinus passages. They are caused by chronic inflammation, especially in people who experience allergies or frequent sinus infections.

How Do Nasal Polyps Cause Dizziness?

If you have nasal polyps, this can increase sinus pressure, affecting the Eustachian tubes. This, in turn, disrupts balance and equilibrium. The result is dizziness or vertigo (the sensation that you or the room around you is spinning).

Sinus Pressure

Nasal polyps cause sinus pressure by taking up space in the sinus cavities and pressing on the structures of the sinus and nasal cavities. Another structure that may be affected by this pressure is the Eustachian tube, also known as the auditory tube.

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. Its job is to allow fluid to drain and to let air pressure equalize between the inner ear and the environment. If a polyp blocks the opening of the Eustachian tube, it can cause Eustachian tube dysfunction, resulting in dizziness and vertigo.

Allergies

Allergies may be the underlying cause of many conditions, including both nasal polyps and Eustachian tube dysfunction. This means allergies can indirectly result in feelings of dizziness.

Treating Dizziness Caused by Nasal Polyps

The best way to treat dizziness caused by nasal polyps is to treat the polyps themselves. This can be done by taking corticosteroids, or in cases of severe, persistent polyps, undergoing surgery.

You can also prevent polyps by managing allergies. You can do this by practicing avoidance of known allergens, taking antihistamines from Philadelphia Pharmacy or undergoing immunotherapy.

To Summarize…

While dizziness is not the main symptoms of nasal polyps, you can experience dizziness from nasal polyps due to the nasal and sinus passageways being closely linked to the function of the ear, which contains the vestibular system. Inflammation of the nose can cause Eustachian tube dysfunction, causing dizziness. Treating the underlying condition can prevent dizziness.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with an ear, nose and throat expert, call today.