Labyrinthitis and Neurtis

  What is it?

  Both of these conditions,
  labyrinthitis and neuritis, are used
  to describe an inflammation of the
  inner ear or the nerves that connect
  the inner ear to the brain. The
  inflammation is usually a result of a
  viral infection but can also be
  caused by a bacterial infection. The
  infection may affect the hearing
  part of the inner ear (the cochlea)
  and/or the balance part (the
  vestibular).

  What are the symptoms?

  Symptoms consistent with labyrinthitis and neuritis may include one or more of the
  following:

• Sudden onset of vertigo typically associated with extreme nausea and vomiting
• Vertigo (spinning), which may last up to a week
• Hypersensitivity to sound; ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Hearing loss
• Persistent loss of balance or dizziness that follows the initial onset

  These symptoms can be mild to severe and usually improve over several weeks.
  However, some symptoms may be persistent. Most commonly, the loss of balance or
  dizziness never completely resolves and is mostly noticed with rapid head movements,
  busy places, riding in a car and/or while walking in the dark. Patients that suffer from
  persistent symptoms usually have additional complaints such as decreased strength, loss
  of range-of-motion, muscle tension, anxiety and fatigue. Frequently, labyrinthitis and
  neurontis are the precipitating cause of other inner ear abnormalitites, including
  endolymphatic hydrops and/or BPPV.

  What are the risk factors?

• Current or recent viral infection (especially a respiratory infection)
• Allergies
• Smoking
• Excess alcohol intake
• Stress

  What is the treatment?

  A physician will determine the diagnosis of labyrinthitis or neuritis as well as provide
  medications necessary to decrease the symptoms in the initial stages. Because these
  conditions usually result in chronic symptoms, vestibular rehabilitation is often needed
  to resolve the patient's residual complaints and prevent long-term dysfunction.
  Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of physical therapy to decrease, if not
  eliminate, primary symptoms of movement-related dizziness and imbalance through
  customized exercises.

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