Which disorder causes vertigo and loss of balance, typically affecting only one ear?

Which disorder causes vertigo and loss of balance, typically affecting only one ear?

• A. Motion Sickness
• B. Rhinitis
• C. Meniere's disease
• D. Otitis externa

Answer: (C)

Vertigo with loss of balance that stays in one ear points to an inner ear problem. Meniere's disease causes this pattern because of an abnormal buildup of fluid in the inner ear (endolymphatic hydrops). This disrupts both balance and hearing, leading to episodic spinning vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss in the affected ear, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in that ear. The unilateral nature at onset is a hallmark, though a second ear can be affected later in some cases. The vertigo episodes typically last from minutes to hours and may recur. Motion sickness comes from a mismatch between what the eyes and inner ear sense and doesn’t usually cause lasting unilateral hearing loss. Rhinitis is nasal inflammation and doesn’t produce vertigo or hearing loss. Otitis externa is an outer ear infection with ear pain, itching, and discharge rather than true vertigo with unilateral hearing loss.

Vertigo with loss of balance that stays in one ear points to an inner ear problem. Meniere's disease causes this pattern because of an abnormal buildup of fluid in the inner ear (endolymphatic hydrops). This disrupts both balance and hearing, leading to episodic spinning vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss in the affected ear, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in that ear. The unilateral nature at onset is a hallmark, though a second ear can be affected later in some cases. The vertigo episodes typically last from minutes to hours and may recur.

Motion sickness comes from a mismatch between what the eyes and inner ear sense and doesn’t usually cause lasting unilateral hearing loss. Rhinitis is nasal inflammation and doesn’t produce vertigo or hearing loss. Otitis externa is an outer ear infection with ear pain, itching, and discharge rather than true vertigo with unilateral hearing loss.