LABYRINTHITIS

General Information

DEFINITION--Inflammation of the semicircular canals in the inner ear.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Semicircular canals of the inner ear. The fluid-filled canals help maintain balance.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Adults.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Vertigo (sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning around).
• Extreme dizziness, especially with head movement, that begins gradually and peaks in 48 hours.
• Involuntary eye movement.
• Nausea and vomiting (sometimes).
• Loss of balance, especially falling toward the affected side.
• Temporary hearing loss (sometimes).
• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus).

CAUSES

• Virus infection (usually) in the inner ear.
• Bacterial infection in the inner ear (sometimes due to cholesteatoma, an infected collection of debris in the middle ear).
• Head injury.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Spread of a chronic middle-ear infection.
• Ingestion of toxic drugs.
• Stress.
• Recent viral illness, especially respiratory infection.
• Allergy or family history of allergies.
• Smoking.
• Excess alcohol consumption.
• Use of some prescription or non-prescription drugs, especially aspirin.
• Cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Obtain prompt medical treatment for ear infections.
• Don't take medication that has produced dizziness without consulting your doctor.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Diagnostic tests may include hearing studies, culture of any purulent drainage, other studies as needed to determine any underlying disorder.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Surgical removal of cholesteatoma (an infected collection of debris in the middle ear) and drainage of infected areas may be necessary if conservative measures fail.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Permanent hearing loss on the affected side (rare).

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Recovery--either spontaneous or with treatment--in 1 to 6 weeks.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES----This disorder can be frightening and debilitating but complete recovery is usual.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Antinausea medications may be prescribed (oral or suppositories).
• Tranquilizers to reduce dizziness (rarely).
• Diuretics to decrease fluid accumulation in the inner ear.
• Antibiotics if bacterial infection present.
• Antihistamines to relieve symptoms.

ACTIVITY--Keep the head as still as possible. Rest in bed until dizziness subsides. Then resume your normal activities gradually. Avoid hazardous activities, such as driving, climbing or working around dangerous machinery, until 1 week after symptoms disappear.

DIET--No special diet, but decreasing salt and fluid intake may help.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of labyrinthitis.
• The following occurs during treatment: Decreased hearing in either ear. Persistent vomiting. Convulsions. Fainting. Fever of 101F (38.3C) or higher.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.