Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis (say "lab-uh-rin-THY-tus") is a problem inside the inner ear. It happens when the labyrinth, a part of the inner ear that helps control your balance, gets swollen and inflamed.

The inflammation may cause sudden vertigo. This makes you feel like you're spinning or whirling. Labyrinthitis may also cause temporary hearing loss or a ringing sound in your ears.

If you have both sudden vertigo and hearing loss, you need urgent care to rule out a stroke.

The main symptom of labyrinthitis is vertigo. Vertigo is not the same as feeling dizzy. Dizziness means that you feel unsteady or lightheaded. But vertigo makes you feel like you're spinning or whirling. It may make it hard for you to walk. Symptoms of vertigo and dizziness may be caused by many problems other than labyrinthitis.

Vertigo begins without warning. It often starts 1 to 2 weeks after you've had the flu or a cold. It may be severe enough to make you vomit or make you feel sick to your stomach. Vertigo slowly goes away over a few days to weeks. But for a month or longer, you may still get vertigo symptoms if you suddenly move your head a certain way.

Labyrinthitis may also cause hearing loss and a ringing sound in your ears (tinnitus). Most often, these symptoms don't last for more than a few weeks.

Your doctor can tell if you have labyrinthitis by doing a physical exam and asking about your symptoms and past health. Your doctor will look for signs of viral infections that can trigger labyrinthitis.

If the cause of your vertigo is not clear, your doctor may do other tests. These may include a hearing test (audiometry), a test of your balance system called electronystagmography, or an MRI to rule out other problems.

Most of the time, labyrinthitis goes away on its own. This normally takes several weeks. If the cause is a bacterial infection, your doctor will give you antibiotics. But most cases are caused by viral infections, which can't be cured with antibiotics.

Your doctor may prescribe steroid medicines, which may help you get better sooner. He or she may also give you other medicines, such as antiemetics, antihistamines, and sedatives, to help control the nausea and vomiting caused by vertigo.

Vertigo usually gets better as your body adjusts (compensation). Medicines like antihistamines can help your symptoms, but they may make it take longer for vertigo to go away. It's best to only use medicines when they are needed and for as little time as possible.

Staying active can help you get better. Check with your doctor about trying balance exercises at home. These include simple head movements and keeping your balance while standing and sitting. They may reduce symptoms of vertigo.

• Try bed rest and keeping your head still for the first few days you have vertigo. This may help the vertigo and reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Return to your normal activities if vertigo lasts more than a few days. This may be hard, but it usually helps your brain adapt to the vertigo more quickly. As your brain adapts, vertigo will slowly go away.
• Do what you can to prevent falls. For example, keep your home uncluttered, and use nonskid mats around your house and in your bath. Vertigo makes you more likely to fall.
• Try balance exercises for vertigo if your doctor suggests it. An example is to stand with your feet together, arms at your sides. Hold this position for 30 seconds.
• Do the Brandt-Daroff exercise if your doctor suggests it. It may help your brain adapt to vertigo.
  • Sit on the edge of your bed or sofa.
  • Quickly lie down on one side.
  • Stay in this position until the vertigo goes away or for at least 30 seconds.
  • Sit up. If this causes vertigo, wait for it to stop.
  • Do the exercise on the other side.
  • Repeat these steps 10 times. Do the exercise 2 times a day until the vertigo is gone.
• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.