- Symptoms of emotional labyrinthitis
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- What causes labyrinthitis
- How to treat labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is the inflammation of a structure inside the ear, called the labyrinth, which causes symptoms such as the feeling that everything is spinning around, nausea and hearing loss. These symptoms are usually more intense in the first 4 days, but they decrease over the days, until, around 3 weeks, they disappear completely.
So, if you think you may be suffering from labyrinthitis, select what you are feeling to know what the chances are of actually being an inflammation of the labyrinth:
- 1. Difficulty maintaining balance Yes No
- 2. Difficulty focusing the vision Yes No
- 3. Feeling that everything around is moving or rotating Yes No
- 4. Difficulty hearing clearly Yes No
- 5. Constant ringing in the ear Yes No
- 6. Constant headache Yes No
- 7. Dizziness or dizziness Yes No
Generally, these symptoms appear suddenly and are very intense, preventing the person from continuing to perform their daily activities.
In some cases, symptoms may disappear in a few minutes or hours, but it is common for them to reappear after a few days, especially when the head is moved quickly.
In any case, it is very important to see an otolaryngologist when labyrinthitis is suspected in order to diagnose the problem and start the appropriate treatment, which helps to prevent crises from occurring so often.
Symptoms of emotional labyrinthitis
The symptoms of emotional labyrinthitis are the same, however, the person may also experience anxiety, stress, worry, sadness, easy crying or changes in appetite, as emotional labyrinthitis is related to emotional problems such as anxiety or depression.
See more about why it happens and how to treat this specific type of labyrinthitis.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of labyrinthitis is usually made by an otorhinolaryngologist through the evaluation of symptoms and health history, in addition to an ear exam and a physical exam to rule out other diseases, which can cause similar symptoms.
In addition, some doctors may even order a hearing test, called audiometry, as labyrinthitis is more common in people who suffer from some type of hearing loss. Understand how the audiometry exam is done and what the result means.
What causes labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is caused by an inflammation of the labyrinth, a structure that is part of the inner ear. This usually happens due to:
- Breathing problems, such as bronchitis; Viral infections, such as colds or flu; Herpes; Bacterial infections, such as otitis.
However, labyrinthitis is more common in people who have some type of hearing loss, who smoke, drink alcohol excessively, have a history of allergies, use aspirin frequently or are under a lot of stress.
How to treat labyrinthitis
The treatment for labyrinthitis should be indicated by an otorhinolaryngologist and, usually, it can be done at home with rest in a dark place and without noise. In addition, home treatment for labyrinthitis should also involve drinking fluids, such as water, tea or juices, until symptoms improve. Here's how to go on a labyrinthitis diet and find out what you can't eat.
The doctor may also prescribe the use of remedies for labyrinthitis, which may include antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin, which must be taken within 10 days to fight the infection. Other remedies for motion sickness, such as Metoclopramide and corticosteroid remedies, such as Prednisolone, can also be used to help reduce discomfort. See more details of the treatment and remedies used.
