Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the inner ear’s labyrinths, causing dizziness and nausea. Causes include infections, allergies, and foreign objects. Treatment involves addressing symptoms, and severe cases may require anti-anxiety medication. Most cases clear up in about six weeks.
From a physiological point of view, the labyrinths are channels in the inner ear that allow the passage of fluid. When these work properly, they affect how we listen and also provide us with a sense of balance. Labyrinthitis is a relatively common condition in which the labyrinths of one or both ears become inflamed. It is most often noticed by people who suddenly feel dizzy or nauseous. Labyrinthitis is difficult to treat, as the cause is not always obvious and can persist for a few weeks to a few months.
Some known causes of labyrinthitis include bacterial and viral infections, seasonal allergies, decompression sickness, or a foreign object blocking the ear. When the cause is a foreign material, or even a wax plug formed by the ear, this is usually easily treated and removed. When bacterial infection is the cause, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Recent medical literature suggests that the group of viruses most likely to cause labyrinthitis is the herpes group. This includes many viruses, not just sexually transmitted ones. Labyrinthitis can occur after a long-standing respiratory infection. When labyrinthitis is viral in origin, it can be more difficult to treat. Often there are no other symptoms present besides dizziness, nausea, and an inability to balance. Viruses are also notoriously difficult to treat, because they don’t respond to antibiotics. In these cases, labyrinthitis of unknown origin is usually addressed by treating the symptoms.
A disturbed balance can make many feel nauseous or “seasick”. The most common medication recommended to reduce nausea is over-the-counter meclizine. This is also recommended for people who get carsick or seasick, and it seems quite effective. The downside of meclizine is that people often feel tired or sleepy and driving or operating machinery while taking it may not be advisable.
In some people, labyrinthitis can persist for months, especially when it is allergic in origin. It has also been shown to induce panic in some people and has been linked to anxiety disorders and depression. A constant sense of imbalance can have a very disorienting effect on thought processes and a sense of mental well-being.
Sometimes people have such severe labyrinthitis panic that they may require mild anti-anxiety medications such as tranquilizers or antidepressants such as Prozac® and Zoloft®. Treatment with tranquilizers is questionable when labyrinthitis persists, because most sedatives are highly addictive. They can further increase a sense of drowsiness if anti-nausea symptoms are addressed with meclizine or other antihistamines.
While it is sometimes a long-lasting condition, most people with labyrinthitis are affected for only a short time. Most cases clear up in about six weeks and lead to no complications. It’s a good idea to see a doctor if you suddenly experience dizziness and nausea, as this can indicate a number of other conditions.
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