Labyrinthitis is an inflammation that affects the labyrinth, a region of the inner ear responsible for hearing and balance, causing symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, lack of balance, hearing loss, nausea or general malaise.
Labyrinthitis can occur at any age, but it is more common in the elderly, and can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, diabetes, high blood pressure or even emotional factors such as stress, anxiety or depression, for example.
Read too: 10 causes of labyrinthitis and what to do
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The treatment of labyrinthitis must be carried out under the guidance of an otorhinolaryngologist or neurologist, and the use of medication to alleviate symptoms, physiotherapy and an anti-inflammatory diet may be recommended.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of labyrinthitis are:
- Dizziness or vertigo;
- Loss of balance;
- Hearing loss;
- Ringing in the ear;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Difficulty walking or balancing;
- Constant headache.
Symptoms of labyrinthitis, also known as labyrinthitis crisis, generally appear suddenly and are intense, disrupting daily activities, and may persist for minutes, hours, days or weeks, gradually improving.
However, symptoms may return after a few days, especially when moving the head quickly. Know how to recognize the symptoms of labyrinthitis.
Online symptom test
If you think you may have labyrinthitis, select what you feel in the test below to find out your chances:
This test is only a guidance tool and, therefore, should not replace a doctor’s consultation and diagnosis.
Emotional labyrinthitis
Emotional labyrinthitis appears when inflammation of the nerves in the ear or labyrinth is caused by emotional changes such as stress, anxiety or depression.
Symptoms of emotional labyrinthitis include a feeling of pressure or ringing in the ear, decreased balance, dizziness and frequent headaches, which worsen in situations of acute stress or during sudden head movements.
Read too: Emotional labyrinthitis: symptoms, causes and treatment
Labyrinthitis in pregnancy
Labyrinthitis during pregnancy can arise due to normal hormonal changes during this period, which cause fluid retention and inflammation in the labyrinth, causing an episode of labyrinthitis.
The symptoms of labyrinthitis in pregnancy are the same as in non-pregnant people, and treatment should be carried out under the guidance of an obstetrician.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of labyrinthitis is made by an otorhinolaryngologist or neurologist by evaluating the person’s symptoms and health history.
Make an appointment with the specialist closest to you if you want to confirm your risk of labyrinthitis:
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may also request audiometry, a hearing test that serves to assess hearing capacity, as labyrinthitis is more common in people with some type of hearing loss. Understand better what audiometry is and how it is performed.
In addition, the doctor may also order tests, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, to rule out other diseases that cause similar symptoms, such as vestibular neuritis, Meniére’s disease, stroke, brain hemorrhage or brain tumor, for example.
Possible causes
The possible causes of labyrinthitis are:
- Viral infection, such as flu, cold, mumps, rubella and shingles;
- Bacterial infection, such as meningitis, whooping cough and tuberculosis;
- High pressure;
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ);
- Neurological diseases;
- High cholesterol;
- Side effect of medications.
Furthermore, other factors such as head trauma, diabetes, allergy, brain tumor, stress, fatigue, sedentary lifestyle, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can also cause the appearance of labyrinthitis.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for labyrinthitis involves medication, diet, physical therapy and home remedies.
1. Labyrinthitis remedy
The medications that are generally recommended by the doctor to treat labyrinthitis include antivertigo drugs, antiemetics and vasodilators, such as flunarizine (Vertigium, Vertix or Vertizan), dimenhydrinate (Dramin) or betahistine dihydrochloride, as they help treat symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, nausea or vomiting.
In addition, the doctor may also recommend the use of other medications, such as antibiotics or anxiolytics, depending on the cause of this inflammation. Check out all the remedies that may be recommended to treat labyrinthitis.
2. Diet
An anti-inflammatory diet can help treat labyrinthitis, as it aims to reduce the production of substances that stimulate inflammation, such as prostaglandins and cytokines.
Therefore, it is recommended to increase the consumption of foods rich in vitamins, fiber, omega-3, polyphenols, carotenoids and flavonoids, such as tuna, sardines and salmon, strawberries, oranges, avocados, walnuts and broccoli, for example. Check out the complete list of anti-inflammatory foods.
However, it is important to avoid consuming foods that increase inflammation and that can worsen or trigger a labyrinthitis attack, such as sugar, foods rich in salt, cookies, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages or foods with caffeine such as coffee, chocolate, black tea and green tea.
Read too: Labyrinthitis diet: what to eat and what to avoid
3. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy sessions to treat labyrinthitis, known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy, help alleviate symptoms such as dizziness and balance problems.
During the sessions, the physiotherapist advises you to perform exercises to mobilize the head and eyes, to reposition the crystals present in the ear and thus improve balance.
Here are some exercises that can be done to stop dizziness:
4. Home remedies
Some home remedies, such as ginkgo biloba tea and ginger tea, can complement the treatment recommended by your doctor, as they help combat inflammation in the ear and improve blood circulation, helping to alleviate the symptoms of labyrinthitis. Check out other home remedy options for labyrinthitis.
Common questions about labyrinthitis
Some common questions about labyrinthitis are:
1. Is labyrinthitis curable?
Yes, labyrinthitis has a cure, which is achieved through treatment indicated by the doctor, which may include the use of medication, diet or physiotherapy, for example.
Read too: Is labyrinthitis curable?
2. Can labyrinthitis cause stroke?
Labyrinthitis cannot cause stroke. However, dizziness is a symptom present in labyrinthitis and, in rarer cases, may also be present in stroke.
Therefore, in the presence of symptoms that may be related to a stroke, such as dizziness, lack of strength on one side of the body, slurred or slow speech and changes in vision, emergency medical care should be called. Check out the main symptoms of stroke.
4. Is labyrinthitis serious?
Generally speaking, labyrinthitis is a mild problem, which medical treatment can resolve in a few days or weeks.
However, in severe cases of bacterial infection, labyrinthitis can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, visual impairment, loss of spatial awareness or mastoiditis, which is inflammation of the mastoid bone, which is located behind the ear.
Read too: Mastoiditis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
How to prevent labyrinthitis
Some tips that help prevent labyrinthitis attacks are:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom, before preparing food and eating;
- Avoid alcoholic beverages or consume in moderation;
- Do not smoke;
- Balance cholesterol, triglyceride and blood glucose levels;
- Practice physical activities regularly;
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
To prevent labyrinthitis, it is also recommended to maintain a healthy and varied diet, prioritizing natural foods and avoiding ultra-processed foods, such as instant noodles, breakfast cereals, ready-made sauces, sausage and soft drinks.
