Dear Doctors: I recently experienced severe vertigo due to fluid in my inner ear from a sinus infection. It affected not only my balance, but also my blood pressure and anxiety.

3. Ear infection Ear infections, which often stem from a cold, can also cause your middle ear to become filled with fluid, creating a crackling sound, Dr. Voelker says.

Decongestants ease sinus infection pain by allowing fluid to release and drain from the nasal passage tissue. These medications are available as over-the-counter (OTC) tablets or as prescription ...

Otitis media with effusion (OME) refers to fluid buildup in your middle ear. It usually happens when the fluid can't drain out of your ear, typically after an infection.This type of ear infection ...

Ear infections can sometimes cause hearing loss due to inflammation and fluid buildup. Learn more about how long hearing loss typically lasts with an ear infection.

Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD A sinus infection is inflammation of the sinuses, which are the air spaces around your nose, eyes, cheeks, and forehead. It is also called sinusitis.

Sinus infections, on the other hand, are often bacterial and the infection can spread if you don't treat them with antibiotics, he says. If you're still feeling sick after a week, it's time to see ...

A sinus infection becomes chronic when it lasts for more than 12 weeks with recurring episodes, he adds. The length of a sinus infection also depends on the cause, Dr. Ortiz says.

The vast majority of sinus infections are viral, although they can also be bacterial or fungal. These infections develop when fluid builds up in the sinuses, allowing germs to grow.

What one North Texas mom thought was an ear infection landed her son in the hospital for brain surgery. NBC 5’s Candace Sweat has the story of a sinus infection gone terribly wrong.