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Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear canals. The labyrinth is made up of 3 semicircular canals located deep inside the inner ear that help control your balance. Inflammation of these canals, or labyrinthitis, can occur as a result of a viral or, more rarely, bacterial infection .

Causes

• Virus infection (usually) in the inner ear.
• Other recent viral illness, especially respiratory infection.
• Bacterial infection in the inner ear.
• Spread of a chronic middle-ear infection.
• Head injury.
• Heavy exercise in hot weather, causing dehydration or electrolyte imbalance from excessive sweating.
• Stress, fatigue or overwork.
• Use of medication or toxic drugs, including aspirin.
• Allergy or family history of allergies.
• Cholesteatoma (an accumulation of debris covered by skin in the outer-ear canal).
• Exaggerated head, neck or trunk movements in people with hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
• Transient ischemic attacks due to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
• Heart-rhythm irregularity.
• Bleeding or tumor inside the brain.
• Anemia.
• Smoking.
• Excess alcohol consumption.

Signs and symptoms

• Extreme dizziness with head movement­ especially in people over 40 who may have hardening of the arteries in the neck (athero-sclerosis) Exercises that exaggerate head, neck and movements can cause kinking or narrowing of these arteries. The dizziness begins gradually and peaks in 48 hours.
• Involuntary eye movement.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Loss of balance, especially falling toward the affected side.
• Temporary healing loss.

Diagnosis

• An ear examination may not reveal any changes.
• Differentiation from other causes of dizziness or vertigo may include:
  • head CT scan or MRI scan
  • hearing testing ( audiology/audiometry )
  • caloric stimulation (tests reflexes of the eye)
  • electronystagmography
  • EEG , evoked auditory potential studies

Treatment

Note- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.

Medical Treatment- See your doctor for diagnosis and Possible prescription of medications. Hearing tests may be required.

Medication- Your doctor may prescribe:

• Antinausea medications.
• Tranquilizers such as diazepam to reduce dizziness.
• Diuretics to decrease fluid accumulation in the inner ear.
• Antibiotics to fight bacterial infection.

Prevention

• Obtain prompt medical treatment for ear infections.
• Don't take medication that has produced dizziness without consulting your doctor.
• Follow all preventive measures for hardening of the arteries recommended by the American Heart Association:
  Low-fat, low-salt, high-fiber diet.
  Stress reduction.
  Regular exercise.
  No smoking.