This is actually known as vestibular neuronitis rather than labyrinthitis. However, both terms are often used to describe the same diagnosis. Causes of labyrinthitis Labyrinthitis is caused by inflammation of part of the inner ear known as the labyrinth. How the labyrinth works The fluid-filled channels of the labyrinth are known as the vestibular system and they are connected at different angles. Viral labyrinthitis Around half of all cases of viral labyrinthitis are thought to be caused when a viral infection of the chest, nose, mouth and airways — such as the common cold or flu — spreads to the inner ear.
Bacterial labyrinthitis Labyrinthitis can sometimes be caused by a bacterial infection. Immune system problems Labyrinthitis often develops in people who have an underlying autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue rather than fighting off infections.
Diagnosing labyrinthitis Many conditions can cause dizziness and vertigo. Your GP may carry out the following tests: a physical examination — you may be asked to move your head or body and your ears will be checked for signs of inflammation and infection hearing tests — labyrinthitis is more likely if you have hearing loss Your GP will also check your eyes.
Viral or bacterial labyrinthitis? Doctors can usually safely assume that labyrinthitis is the result of a viral infection more common unless there is strong evidence to suggest otherwise, such as: the labyrinthitis is in a very young child labyrinthitis occurs in someone who is already known to have a bacterial infection you have common bacterial labyrinthitis symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and complete hearing loss Further testing Further testing is usually only required if you have additional symptoms that suggest you may have a more serious condition, such as meningitis or a stroke.
Symptoms can include: severe headache mental confusion slurred speech weakness or paralysis on one side of your body These tests can include: a lumbar puncture — a fluid sample is taken from the base of your spine and checked for infection computerised tomography CT scan — to give a three-dimensional picture of your brain magnetic resonance imaging MRI scan — to give a detailed image of your brain blood tests. Treating labyrinthitis Labyrinthitis is usually treated using a combination of self-help techniques and medication.
Self-help Drink plenty of liquid, little and often, particularly water, to avoid becoming dehydrated. For example: during an attack, lie still in a comfortable position on your side is often best avoid alcohol avoid bright lights try to cut out noise and anything that causes stress from your surroundings You should also avoid driving, using tools and machinery or working at heights if you're feeling dizzy and unbalanced.
Medication If your dizziness, vertigo and loss of balance are particularly severe, your GP may prescribe a short course of medication such as benzodiazepine or antiemetics vestibular sedatives. Benzodiazepine Benzodiazepines reduce activity inside your central nervous system. Antiemetics A prescription medication known as an antiemetic may be prescribed if you're experiencing nausea and vomiting.
Most people are able to tolerate prochlorperazine and side effects are uncommon, but can include: tremors shaking abnormal or involuntary body and facial movements sleepiness If you are vomiting, there is a prochlorperazine 3mg tablet available which you place inside your mouth between your gums and cheek. Corticosteroids Corticosteroids such as prednisolone may be recommended if your symptoms are particularly severe. Antibiotics If your labyrinthitis is thought to be caused by a bacterial infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics.
When to seek further advice Contact your GP if you develop additional symptoms that suggest your condition may be getting worse. These symptoms include: mental confusion slurred speech double vision weakness or numbness in one part of your body a change in the way you usually walk Also contact your GP if you do not notice any improvement after three weeks. Chronic labyrinthitis A small number of people experience dizziness and vertigo for months or even years.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy VRT Vestibular rehabilitation therapy VRT is an effective treatment for people with chronic labyrinthitis. VRT is usually carried out under the supervision of a physiotherapist and involves a range of exercises designed to: co-ordinate your hand and eye movements stimulate sensations of dizziness so your brain starts to get used to disruptive signals sent by your vestibular system and then ignores them improve your balance and walking ability improve your strength and fitness The Brain and Spine Foundation is a UK charity that has more information about vestibular rehabilitation on its website.
Complications of labyrinthitis Permanent hearing loss can be a common complication of labyrinthitis, particularly in children who have developed bacterial labyrinthitis as a complication of the brain infection meningitis. Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window. Print Click here to print this page This will open your print options in a new window. Last updated:. How can we improve this page?
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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Ear nose and throat. Home Ear nose and throat. Some individuals may be at an increased risk of high blood pressure. This includes overweight individuals, smokers, those with long-term sleep deprivation and those with a family history of high blood pressure.
Individuals from an African or Caribbean origin also have a higher risk of developing hypertension, as do older individuals as the risk increases as you age. Below are some common symptoms that a person with high blood pressure should never ignore.
If you know that you have hypertension and you develop any of these high blood pressure symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately.
Chest pain should always be taken seriously, whether or not you suspect that you have high blood pressure. Never assume that chest pain is simply heartburn or indigestion; pain in the chest can be an indication of many different serious medical conditions.
If you experience chest pain and nothing serious is found after an emergency department evaluation, your doctor will discuss with you what to do if the discomfort continues. It could also be related to drinking too much caffeine, so try cutting back on the coffee and soda. Anxiety can have the same effect, so try meditation or a relaxing activity to see if the pounding sensation resolves. This can be a difficult symptom to deal with because when we become confused we may not be able to respond with appropriate judgment.
There are many other possible causes for this symptom besides hypertension, including stroke or possibly an unreported head injury, so always seek medical attention if you experience changes in consciousness.
Make sure that family members and caregivers know what to watch for, and know that any sign of quickly changing mental status is an emergency that requires immediate medical response.
You might need to get treatment for this underlying condition in order to prevent the inner ear problems from returning. Since the inner ear plays key roles in both hearing and balance, any issues with these senses could be linked to an infection in this area. Infections in other parts of the ear are less likely to affect your hearing or balance, but the other symptoms can be similar. Inner ear infections can also be linked to other symptoms, depending on the source of the infection.
For example, if the infection spread to the inner ear from your airways, you might also have a runny nose. In some cases, these other symptoms might be fading when the problems in your inner ear begin, because the original infection might have been eliminated. You could also have more generalised symptoms of infection, such as a fever. Generally, the symptoms will clear up as soon as the infection is gone.
However, the effects can sometimes last longer. You might still feel dizzy and off-balance even when the other symptoms caused by the infection have gone.
This can be a sign that the balance organs were damaged. Your brain can usually learn to work with these changes, so your sense of balance should usually come back by itself. The doctor can check for any underlying causes and may refer you for vestibular rehabilitation therapy to help you to recover your balance.
Inner ear infections can also have a longer term effect on your hearing. This is more likely if you had bacterial infection, so your doctor might recommend a hearing test to check on your ears after the infection. Inner ear infections will usually clear up by themselves within a few weeks, although some can last for six weeks or more.
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