An ear has three constituting parts that are the outer, the middle and the inner ear. Today we are talking about the inner ear. It represents a labyrinth, a network of channels filled with fluid. The labyrinth itself has the following major parts: the cochlea, the vestibule canal and the semicircular one. The task of cochlea is to provide hearing by sensing sound while the vestibular system is responsible for balance. In a nutshell, sensing the sound and movement and sending signals to the brain – this is the work of the inner ear. In he brain these messages are combined and compared with other signals received from other bodily parts. That is why when the process of sending and receiving signals becomes perturbed and interrupted it is fraught with the problems. This directly refers to ear infections as in case of it the labyrinth becomes inflamed and, consequently, the process of messages sending to the brain also undermines.

Bacteria are able to cause ear infection but rarely, though viral infections frequently lead to ear ones. An upper respiratory tract infection, head injury, allergy to some drugs, extreme stress, benign tumor in the middle ear, alcohol abuse, and the like can be a reason as well.

The condition has certain symptoms and vertigo is one of the most prominent. It is characterized by whirling in the head when it is in a state of rest actually. It is some kind of balance disorder. The inner ear infection can be also accompanied by tinnitus (or ringing in the ears), nausea and vomiting, also stomach upset is possible. In severe cases of infection it can be even fraught with sudden hear loss.

Inner ear infection is able to recover without any special treatment in the majority of cases. In several weeks the symptoms generally subside and the person gains back normal hearing and restores balance. Therefore if this does not happen professional help is required. Perhaps your doctor will need to know your history and will put you through hearing and balance tests, CT or CAT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, also eye tests, brain function tests, too, etc. All this is aimed to sort out the real reason of the condition and exclude the wrong presumptions. Do not try to cure the condition with antibiotics because inner ear infection is caused by a virus and antibiotic administration can only aggravate the condition.

With all this there is no need to be too much worried. It is not a dangerous condition and in most cases if relieves itself in a few weeks using the powers of own immune system. But should you suspect complications apply for medical aid at once.