Vestibular neuritis is an inflammatory disease that disrupts the vestibular system, causing vertigo, nausea, and difficulty walking. It is usually caused by an ear infection and can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication and drugs to manage dizziness. Long-term damage can be prevented with prompt treatment.
Vestibular neuritis is an inflammatory disease that disrupts the vestibular system, the part of the body that regulates balance and helps the body navigate in space. This condition occurs when the vestibular nerve becomes inflamed and the signals that normally pass through it are disrupted. The vestibular system is confused and as a result, the patient develops vertigo, which can be described as a spinning sensation that can cause nausea and difficulty walking. Sometimes the onset of dizziness is very rapid.
Cases of vestibular neuritis are usually caused by an infection in the ear. The infection leads to an inflammatory response that spreads to the vestibular nerve, causing irritation and swelling. Symptoms of dizziness develop and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Patients may also develop nystagmus, a twitching of the eye. In people with vestibular neuritis, the twitching is usually in the direction of the affected ear.
Also known as vestibular neuronitis, this condition is closely related to labyrinthitis, another inflammatory condition involving the ear. When a patient seeks treatment for things like dizziness, hearing loss, or pain around the ears, diagnostic tests may be done to learn more about what’s going on inside the patient’s body. These tests include MRIs to view the inside of the ear, audiograms to check for hearing symptoms, and blood tests to look for signs of infection such as a high white blood cell count.
Treatment of vestibular neuritis is multi-pronged. The inflammation that is causing vestibular neuritis needs to be addressed with anti-inflammatory medications and drugs to kill the microorganisms behind the inflammation. Also, dizziness needs to be treated. Medications designed to reduce nausea may be prescribed, and if the patient loses fluids due to frequent vomiting, fluids may also be prescribed. The patient may also be referred to a rehabilitation specialist who can help the patient manage dizziness.
When a patient experiences this ear disorder, the vertigo can be brief or can last for a week or more. It is important to receive treatment to prevent long-term damage to the ear, which can interfere with a person’s sense of balance. In addition, ear inflammations can spread, causing hearing damage. Patients experiencing recurring inflammation and infections in the ear may wish to see an ear, nose and throat specialist to find out why these conditions keep recurring and explore treatment approaches to prevent or manage them more effectively.
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