Do you suddenly get dizzy when you are suffering from sinusitis? Do you get bouts of nausea whenever your sinuses begin to flare up? This may not be a coincidence. There is a sinusitis dizziness connection that can cause immobilizing vertigo and nausea. Not to worry though, we're here to explain this connection to you so you can understand and deal with it better.
The Ear Connection
The ear is the key to this sinus related dizziness issue. The organs and fluids in the inner ear are one of the essential tools our bodies need in order to balance our two legged upright frames. Remember those times when you spun around too fast and suddenly found yourself disoriented? This is due to a miscommunication between the balance sensing organs of the body.
Your inner ear has little canal like organs, formed in semicircles, that are filled with fluid. Whenever the body is in motion, the fluid will change orientation confirming that the body is in motion. Whenever the body is stopped, the fluid will also be stopped. When you spin around too fast, the fluid inside the ears keep moving because of momentum, even when you have already stopped. So when you're eyes see the still room, your eyes are sending a different signal to the brain than the signal from the fluid motion in your ears. This conflicting information leads to confusion in the brain resulting in dizziness.
Your sinuses are connected to the nose, which are also connected to the ears. Any infections from the sinuses can spread to the nose and the ears. This is how your sinuses can start to affect your balance and make you dizzy.
Labyrinthitis

The canals in your ears are sometimes called labyrinths. Labyrinthitis is a condition where the inner organs of the ear become inflamed and swollen. This can interfere with the ear's function as a balance organ. Labyrinthitis has many causes but it usually occurs after upper respiratory infections, including sinusitis or sinus congestions. It is best to consult a physician for this condition. Although most cases will go away on their own, some are known to require more active treatments, from antibiotics to anti-vertigo medications.