Labyrinthitis (lab-uh-rin-THY-tus) is a problem inside the inner ear that manifests as extreme dizziness and vertigo. It occurs because the inner ear is inflamed. The inner ear, in addition to helping you hear, is a critical piece of your vestibular system, which maintains your sense of balance.
The labyrinth is a part of the inner ear that earned its name because of its network of maze-like passageways. These passageways are filled with fluid that sloshes around as you move your body. The cells lining the passageways sense the fluid flowing one way or another, then transmit this information to the brain to interpret if your body is moving forward, backward, left, right, up or down.
What Causes Labyrinthitis?
Labyrinthitis is characterized by inflammation of the labyrinth, which directly impacts balance and hearing. Inflammation in the labyrinth can block the fluid or press on the nerve used to transmit movement information to the brain. Either way, the brain receives incomplete signals regarding bodily movement, resulting in dizziness.
In most cases, this inflammation results from a viral or bacterial infection, such as the flu or a sinus infection, respectively. Other conditions that can cause labyrinthitis include autoimmune disorders, a weakened immune system and medications. Smoking, drinking alcohol in excess, allergies, stress and fatigue can also increase the risk of labyrinthitis.
What Are the Symptoms of Labyrinthitis?
The main symptoms of labyrinthitis are:
- Intense dizziness or vertigo
- Feeling like you’re moving or spinning
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Balance problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hearing loss or tinnitus
- Blurred vision
- Erratic eye movement
The symptoms of labyrinthitis can strongly resemble other balance disorders, like Ménière’s disease or BPPV, or other health conditions, like a stroke. Getting checked by a health professional sooner rather than later can help identify if it’s labyrinthitis or something else.
Can Labyrinthitis Cause Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is a common symptom of labyrinthitis. In most cases, it is temporary, and your hearing goes back to normal once the infection clears up and the inflammation subsides.
If labyrinthitis is left untreated or is overly severe, permanent hearing loss can occur. The inner ear is an important cross-section between our hearing system and our balance system, so complications of this sort are possible if the damage from the inflammation is extensive. In this case, the patient may need hearing aids to restore hearing or treat tinnitus. Speak to a healthcare professional about the risk of hearing loss and schedule a hearing test to determine the extent of the damage, if any, to the inner ear.
How Do I Treat Labyrinthitis?
It is critical with balance disorders, like labyrinthitis, to seek medical help as soon as possible. Because labyrinthitis shares so many symptoms with other conditions, you and your doctor must determine the issue and rule out other conditions, such as a stroke. Furthermore, the longer labyrinthitis goes untreated, the more likely it is that you will develop complications, such as permanent hearing loss.
Once you’ve spoken to your doctor and have been diagnosed with labyrinthitis, you can discuss treatment. The first step is to fight off the infection that caused labyrinthitis, if in fact it was an infection. Get lots of rest and drink lots of fluids, and speak to your doctor about antibiotics or other treatments. They may even suggest physical therapy to manage dizziness and imbalance. In very rare cases, surgery may be necessary, but that is usually a last resort if it looks like there will be major permanent effects.
During dizziness flare-ups, avoid sudden movement. Find a quiet place to lie down and lie still until the episode passes. Limit exposure to stimulating environments, such as bright lights, loud noises and big crowds. Cut down on screen time and don’t drive until symptoms have cleared up entirely.
Balance disorders can seriously disrupt your life and indicate significant problems. Call Blue Ridge ENT for more information.