Vestibular neuronitis, commonly called labyrinthitis, is inflammation of the inner ear accompanied by swelling, usually of viral or, less frequently, bacterial origin. Common symptoms include hearing loss, loss of balance, dizziness, lightheadedness and nausea. The most disabling symptoms usually subside within a week, but other treatments are needed to find some relief and control possible complications in the meantime.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Home Remedies
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
The inner ear is a crucial organ for both hearing and balance. The swelling caused by inflammation can affect both aspects which, in turn, have other effects on the body. The most obvious signs that help you recognize the problem are:
- Vertigo (the environment revolves around you even if you are stationary).
- Difficulty focusing due to lack of eye coordination.
- Stun.
- Loss of hearing.
- Loss of balance.
- Nausea and vomit.
- Tinnitus (ringing or other noises in the ears).
Step 2. Avoid carrying out activities that can complicate or aggravate the situation
If you've recently had a viral illness (cold or flu), as well as respiratory or ear infections, the risk of labyrinthitis increases dramatically. However, there are a number of activities you can control that can increase the risk of triggering inflammation or aggravating existing inflammation. Among these the main ones are:
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Fatigue.
- Severe allergies.
- Smoke.
- Stress.
- Certain medications (such as aspirin).
Step 3. Take over-the-counter antihistamines
This type of medication is indicated to treat allergies and helps reduce congestion caused by recent infections, which in turn could be the cause of the edema that triggers labyrinthitis. Among the most popular antihistamines are diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zirtec), loratadine (Clarityn), desloratadine (Clarinex) and fexofenadine (Telfast).
Many antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so read carefully the contraindications described on the package and always stick to the recommended dosage
Step 4. Take over-the-counter medications to treat dizziness
Since labyrinthitis is often caused by a viral infection, it is necessary to wait for the immune system to do its job and defeat the virus. During this time, however, you can reduce the discomfort of dizziness by taking non-prescription medications. The most common is meclizine.
Step 5. Manage your dizziness
Symptoms of labyrinthitis manifest themselves more as acute attacks than as a constant disturbance. During a fit of dizziness due to the disorder, there are several things you can do to reduce its effects. In particular you should:
- Rest as much as you can and try to stay still without moving your head.
- Avoid changing positions or making sudden movements.
- Resume activities slowly.
- Get help to walk, so you don't get hurt by falling.
- Avoid exposing yourself to too bright light, watching television (and other electronic screens), and reading during attacks.
Step 6. Do exercises to reduce dizziness
There are some specific exercises that can help you reduce this unpleasant feeling. The most effective is called the Epley maneuver and helps to reposition the small particles in the inner ear canal. These particles, or crystals, cause dizziness when they move from their seat. To perform the maneuver:
- Sit on the center point of the edge of the bed with your head facing 45 ° in the direction from which the sensation of movement is coming.
- Quickly lie back keeping your head always tilted in the direction that causes the dizziness. This movement should create severe dizziness; stay in this position for 30 seconds.
- Turn your head 90 degrees in the opposite direction and stay still for another 30 seconds.
- Rotate your head and body in the same direction at the same time (you should now be on your side with your head over the edge of the bed at a 45 ° angle to the ground). Hold this position for another 30 seconds before returning to normal sitting.
- Repeat this procedure 5-6 times until you no longer feel dizzy as a response to the maneuver.
Step 7. Take precautions when you start to feel better
Although more severe symptoms typically last about a week, mild ones could drag on for up to 3 weeks (on average). As you recover, sudden episodes of dizziness while driving, climbing, or operating heavy machinery could be dangerous. It is therefore important to take the necessary precautions and to consider seeing a doctor to find out when it will be safe to resume these activities.
Part 2 of 2: Get a Doctor Visit
Step 1. Determine when immediate medical attention is needed
In most cases of labyrinthitis, the immune system is able to overcome the disorder on its own. However, there are less frequent circumstances where the disease is bacterial in origin and can cause much more serious (and potentially life-threatening) consequences, such as meningitis. You should go to the emergency room immediately if you experience:
- Convulsions.
- Double vision.
- Fainting.
- Consistent vomiting.
- Dysarthria.
- Vertigo with fever of 38.3 ° C or higher.
- Weakness or paralysis.
Step 2. Make an appointment with your doctor
Even if you have no symptoms that require emergency intervention, you can still see a doctor if you have labyrinthitis. The doctor will diagnose the etiology (cause) to determine if it is bacterial or viral in origin. You will also be able to take appropriate steps to try to reduce the duration of the problem, relieve symptoms and prevent the risk of permanent hearing damage.
Dizziness can have other causes besides labyrinthitis; it is therefore important for the doctor to consider all possibilities
Step 3. Undergo the tests he will recommend
If he notices symptoms that make him fearful of other possible diseases, he will ask you to perform tests to rule them out. He may advise you to do:
- An electroencephalogram (EEG).
- An electronystagmography, which tests ocular reactions to changes in the temperature of the inner ear.
- Computed tomography (CT), which allows you to obtain an accurate x-ray of the head.
- An MRI scan.
- An audiometric examination.
Step 4. Take your prescribed medications
Your doctor may recommend antiviral agents if you have severe labyrinthitis, or antibiotics if the underlying cause is a bacterial infection. Regardless of the type of prescription, be sure to follow its directions exactly and complete the entire course of medication.
Step 5. Learn about medications that relieve symptoms
In addition to those to treat the cause of labyrinthitis, your doctor may prescribe more potent ones to manage your dizziness, dizziness, and other symptoms while you are recovering. Tell your doctor about any antihistamines such as Xamamine or other over-the-counter medications you were taking before you go to him, and make sure you follow the directions he gives you carefully regarding any new medications he will prescribe. Among these there may be:
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine) to control nausea and vomiting.
- Scopolamine (Erion) to relieve vertigo.
- Sedatives such as diazepam (Valium).
- Steroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone or dexamethasone).
Step 6. Ask your doctor about vestibular rehabilitation if the problem is chronic
If your symptoms do not subside with medication and become chronic, you can ask your doctor for more details about this treatment. It is a functional physical therapy that helps to adapt and re-educate the body to the symptoms of labyrinthitis. Among the most common strategies of this rehabilitation process are:
- Gaze stabilization exercises: These help the brain adapt to new signals from the altered vestibular system (the system that helps you orient yourself). A typical exercise involves staring at a specific object while moving the head.
- Ear canal re-education exercises: Chronic symptoms of labyrinthitis can cause changes in the nerve signals that control balance and walking. These exercises improve coordination by helping you adapt the altered sensory information you receive from the eyes and vestibular system.
- This type of therapy requires one or two sessions per week for 4-6 weeks.
Step 7. Undergo surgery as a last resort
In very rare cases, your doctor may recommend an aggressive surgical operation to stop possible complications when the labyrinthitis is in an advanced state and prevent it from becoming meningitis or encephalitis, potentially fatal diseases. It may also include the need for a labyrinthectomy (removal of an infected part of the inner ear) to stop the infection from spreading.
