You might be experiencing dizziness while walking due to a variety of reasons, and without a professional diagnosis, pinpointing the exact cause is difficult. However, one potential explanation, especially if the dizziness is severe, new, and accompanied by other symptoms, involves inner ear issues like vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis.
According to the provided reference, if the dizziness or vertigo is new, severe, persists for hours to days, hasn't stopped, and is associated with vomiting and trouble walking, it could be due to vestibular neuritis (usually without hearing symptoms) or labyrinthitis (usually with hearing symptoms).
Here's a breakdown of these possibilities:
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Vestibular Neuritis: An inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for transmitting balance information from the inner ear to the brain. This can cause a sudden onset of vertigo, nausea, and difficulty walking. Typically does not affect hearing.
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Labyrinthitis: An inflammation of the labyrinth, the inner ear structure containing both the vestibular and cochlear nerves (for hearing). This can cause similar symptoms to vestibular neuritis but often includes hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
It is important to see a doctor if you are experiencing dizziness that affects your ability to walk, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms.
