Stress Effect on Vestibular Organs

The vestibular system is made up of: the eyes, skin, muscles, joints and, in particular, the inner ear. All of these parts work together to help you stay balanced and move around without dizziness. But when you get stressed, some or all of the parts can be affected; sometimes quite drastically.

Vertigo

• Stress can cause anxiety. Anxiety can aggravate vertigo which causes you to feel like the room or your head is swimming. Vertigo is an "illusion of motion" according to the University of Iowa's health topics website. It is probably not caused, but worsened, by stress.

Labyrinthitis

• Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the fluid inside the inner ear. This inflammation can be caused by prolonged or severe stress according to Care Hospitals website. The condition can cause vomiting, nausea, hearing loss, dizziness, balance problems and more.

Meniere's Disease

• According to the Meniere's Resource Center, stress can cause, contribute to or worsen Meniere's disease by reducing blood flow to the ear. This disease affects the ear and can bring on overwhelming episodes of dizziness and vertigo.

Visual Disturbances

• Stress can also affect the eyes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration lists visuals issues as a result of stress. In a white paper entitled, The Distortion of Perceptual Space-Time Under Stress, it is reported that the size of objects is distorted when you are stressed. There is a narrowing of visual cues and perception that happens.

Muscular System

• The skin, muscles, and joints help your body to gather sensory information about where your body is in space. This information is used by the brain to maintain balance. When stressed, tight muscles can restrict movement, affect posture and confuse the brain about the body's spacial orientation. Tense muscles can also compress nerves and throw off balance.