Why You Feel Dizzy When Blowing Nose - Vertigo Causes and Treatment

Why You Might Feel Dizzy When Blowing Your Nose

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded when blowing your nose can be alarming. But in many cases, it points to an inner ear problem called vertigo. Vertigo occurs when there is a disturbance in the inner ear that controls balance and spatial orientation.

Blowing the nose changes air pressure in the ears and sinuses. This can aggravate symptoms of vertigo like dizziness, wavering sensation, disorientation and loss of balance. Understanding the causes and treatments for vertigo can help you manage this dizzy sensation.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a symptom where you feel like you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. It is often described as a feeling of dizziness, wavering, rotation or rocking, even when there is no actual movement. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, sweating, abnormal eye movements and difficulty walking or standing upright.

Vertigo occurs when there is a disturbance in the inner ear balance mechanisms. The inner ear contains the semicircular canals and vestibule which control balance and spatial orientation. When one of these areas is irritated or inflamed, it disrupts the transmission of balance signals to the brain, causing vertigo episodes.

Why Does Blowing Your Nose Cause Vertigo?

There are a few reasons why blowing the nose can trigger or worsen vertigo:

• It changes air pressure in the middle ear - Blowing the nose forcefully can cause shifts in air pressure and fluid in the middle ear, which can aggravate the inner ear balance structures and induce vertigo.
• It spreads inflammation - Sinus congestion and infection can cause inflammation in the inner ear. Blowing the nose forcefully can spread this inflammation further into the inner ear balance mechanisms.
• It strains the Eustachian tubes - These tubes connect the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. Straining to blow the nose can affect the function of these tubes and affect inner ear pressure, leading to vertigo.

Those prone to vertigo often find that symptoms flare up during an active sinus infection or cold. Forcefully blowing the nose to clear out mucus and pressure can upset the already irritated inner ear structures.

Underlying Causes of Vertigo

There are various health conditions that can cause vertigo episodes:

• BPPV - Short for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, BPPV occurs when calcium carbonate particles accumulate in the semicircular canals. Certain head movements displace these particles, causing vertigo spells.
• Menieres disease - This condition causes abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear. It leads to pressure changes, causing vertigo along with ringing ears and hearing loss.
• Vestibular neuritis - This is an inner ear infection that inflames the vestibular nerve controlling balance. It causes long-lasting vertigo episodes.
• Stroke - A stroke affecting the brainstem or cerebellum can impact inner ear nerve signals and cause central vertigo.
• Migraine - Severe migraines can cause vertigo symptoms in between headache episodes.
• Acoustic neuroma - This benign tumor growing on the vestibular nerve can interfere with inner ear balance signals.

Doctors can run tests to determine if one of these conditions is responsible for vertigo that worsens when blowing the nose.

Diagnosing Vertigo

To diagnose vertigo and pinpoint an underlying cause, doctors often:

Take a Medical History

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, including:

• When did you first notice vertigo symptoms?
• How often do they occur?
• How long do they last?
• Any triggers like blowing nose, position changes?
• Any nausea, vomiting, vision changes?
• Loss of balance or falling?
• Ringing in the ears?
• Hearing loss?
• Headaches or migraines?

Your health history, current illnesses and medications are also noted as they can contribute to vertigo.

Conduct a Physical Exam

This includes observing your:

• Head and neck - looking for signs of injury or abnormalities
• Ears - checking for infection and fluid buildup
• Eye movements - rapid jerking can point to inner ear issues
• Balance and coordination - seeing how you walk and stand
• Nystagmus - involuntary eye movements signalling inner ear problems

Your blood pressure, heart rate and neurological reflexes are also assessed.

Perform Hearing and Balance Tests

Tests to assess vertigo and determine its cause can include:

• Dix-Hallpike maneuver - Tests for benign positional vertigo by turning your head in different positions.
• Head impulse test - Measures your reflexes to sudden head turning movements.
• Romberg test - Evaluates balance as you stand still with eyes open and closed.
• Fukuda stepping test - Checks balance coordination as you march in place.
• VEMP test - Measures inner ear responses to sound and vibration.
• Electronystagmography - Records eye movements reflecting vertigo.
• Posturography - Tracks balance reactions during movement.
• Hearing tests - Assess hearing function which relates to inner ear issues.

Your doctor can use these exam results to confirm vertigo and identify related conditions like BPPV, vestibular neuritis or Menieres disease.

Order Imaging Tests

Tests providing images of the inner ear and brain may include:

• CT scan - Detects bone abnormalities or strokes.
• MRI - Creates detailed inner ear images identifying tumors or damage.
• Auditory brainstem response test - Maps brain wave response to sound for nerve pathway assessment.

These can reveal underlying vertigo causes like acoustic neuroma or cerebellum stroke.

Treating Vertigo

Once the exam and test results confirm vertigo, your doctor outlines the best treatment options. Treatments for vertigo can include:

Medications

Drugs that may be prescribed include:

• Antihistamines like meclizine to reduce inner ear swelling.
• Anticholinergics like scopolamine patches to block balance nerve impulses.
• Benzodiazepines like diazepam to reduce nerve excitability.
• Steroids like prednisone to decrease inflammation.
• Antinausea drugs like ondansetron to prevent vomiting.

These can help relieve vertigo episodes and diminish symptoms.

Vestibular Therapy

Specialized physical therapy exercises that promote central nervous system compensation can help resolve chronic vertigo. They include balance training, gaze stabilization, habituation and fall prevention maneuvers.

Canalith Repositioning

For vertigo caused by BPPV, this maneuver repositions debris in the inner ear. It involves a doctor or therapist moving your head through various positions.

Surgery

If vertigo stems from acoustic neuroma or Menieres disease, surgery may be advised. This can include:

• Removing tumors through microsurgery.
• Drainage procedures to address inner ear fluid buildup.
• Cutting the balance nerve to halt faulty signals.

Surgery aims to resolve the mechanical root of vertigo symptoms.

When to See a Doctor

Consult your doctor promptly if you experience:

• Sudden vertigo along with slurred speech, vision changes or limb weakness signaling a stroke.
• Increasingly severe or frequent vertigo episodes.
• Vertigo along with hearing loss or ear pressure.
• Dizziness that causes falls or limits daily activities.
• Persistent vertigo that medication does not improve.

Though generally harmless, vertigo can sometimes indicate serious underlying conditions. Seeking prompt medical treatment can identify the cause and lead to effective management strategies.

Preventing Vertigo

You can reduce flare-ups of vertigo by:

• Treating ear infections and sinus issues promptly with rest and medication.
• Avoiding forceful nose blowing - use saline spray then gently wipe.
• Moving your head slowly during normal activity and position changes.
• Using caution when bending down.
• Getting up slowly from lying to sitting to avoid spins.
• Staying well hydrated to avoid ear crystal buildup.
• Doing balance exercises if you have chronic vertigo.
• Using a walking aid if needed for stability.

While vertigo can be troubling, identifying underlying conditions and following treatment guidelines can help you successfully manage symptoms and avoid falls.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.