Suggest Treatment For Sinus Infection

Posted on Sat, 26 Jul 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 26 Jul 2014 Answered on

Tue, 19 Aug 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I've been having what I believe to be dizziness and vertigo for the past two months, plus. Ringing in left ear, itchy ears, popping in left ear. I've seen a regular dr and went to ER. One said she seen a small amount of fluid but not enough for antibiotics. I had this 3 years ago as well while having a terrible sinus infection. Help.

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Get a Tympanogram (Impedance Audiogram) done. If this is normal, the middle ear fluid build-up doe not require active treatment. If this shows Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD), medical treatment should include steroid nasal sprays, anti-allergic medication and regular steam inhalation.

2. A Pure Tone Audiogram (PTA) should be checked for any low frequency hearing loss. If you have this finding or a fluctuating hearing loss along with the above symptoms, you may be having dizziness and vertigo due to Meniere's Disease.

3. A plain CT PNS (Para Nasal Sinuses) will help decide if your chronic sinusitis requires any treatment.

4. I am assuming that your dizziness and vertigo is not related to position. You may upload the results of the above mentioned investigations for further treatment options.

If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (33 hours later)

I seen another doctor who again i was reccomended to see an ent and also a neurologist. Due to the fact 6 months ago or so i was having bee sting type sensations all over my body and my upper back was on fire and itched badly. They did not know if these were related to the dizziness.with my previous question i would like to add i feel better and the veritgo goes away when im in the car driving. The moment the car stops i feel sick. Its very hard for me to lay on the sofa or in bed. Sitting on the sofa is very uncomfortable as well. There was a few times i turned my head very far to left while looking underneath the sofa and it triggered what i describe a brain buzz and then sudden intense vertigo. Any more ideas from there ? Also im no taking 25mg of meclizine 3 x a day. Which makes me rather out of it but seems to help a little. I have anxiety so feeling this way makes everyhing worse. Planning to make an appt with an ent soon. Thanksw

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (40 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. If the dizziness goes away when in a car, while driving, it is unlikely to be related to the ear.

2. The rest of your history suggests a cervical spine problem.

3. Kindly proceed with your ENT and neurologist visits.

4. Get neck X-rays and a neck color doppler study done. You may require cervical spine scans.

If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar