The most common causes of vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis are viral infections, often resulting from a systemic virus such as influenza (flu) or the herpes viruses, which cause chickenpox, shingles and cold sores.
Labyrinthitis is an infection of the inner ear. It causes inflammation that can affect the structures of this part of the ear and disrupt the flow of sensory information from the ear to the brain. This disruption can result in a range of symptoms, including dizziness, vertigo, and even hearing loss.
Vestibular neuritis is an inner ear disorder that causes symptoms such as sudden, severe vertigo, dizziness, balance problems, nausea and vomiting. Experts believe that viral infections cause vestibular neuritis. Treatment typically involves managing symptoms or taking antiviral medications.
Vertigo begins without warning. It often starts 1 to 2 weeks after you've had influenza (flu) or a cold. It may be severe enough to make you vomit or make you feel sick to your stomach. Vertigo slowly goes away over a few days to weeks.
Medicines, such as prochlorperazine and some antihistamines, can help in the early stages or most cases of vertigo. Many people with vertigo also benefit from vestibular rehabilitation training (VRT), which is a series of exercises for people with dizziness and balance problems.
Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy. Lie still with your eyes closed in a darkened room if you're experiencing a severe episode of vertigo. Avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery if you experience frequent dizziness without warning. Avoid using caffeine, alcohol, salt and tobacco.
The most common symptoms are dizziness, hearing loss (from mild to total loss of hearing) and vertigo – the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, with some people feeling that they are unable to remain upright.
Lie down again with your head slightly hanging over the side or end. Turn your head to the left and wait for 60 seconds. Are you dizzy? Then your left ear is causing vertigo.
If the dizziness or vertigo comes in episodes that last for minutes to hours, it could be due to vestibular migraine (usually without hearing symptoms) or Menière's disease (usually with hearing symptoms), but it also can be the result of a pre-stroke (transient ischemic attack, or TIA).
Ménière's disease is a rare disorder that affects the inner ear. It can cause vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of pressure deep inside the ear.
Loss of balance is a symptom of both Ménière's disease and lupus. However, dizziness and spinning sensation (vertigo) that may cause loss of balance are hallmark signs of Ménière's disease while loss of balance is an uncommon symptom of lupus.
Unlike other types of ear infections, inner ear infections can't be properly diagnosed with a visual examination. A comprehensive assessment is necessary to rule out other health conditions, such as stroke, migraine headaches or Meniere's disease, which all share similar symptoms.
Vertigo can be caused by a problem inside the ear. Vertigo is not contagious. You cannot get it from another person or give it to someone else.
Sometimes doctors recommend antihistamines, such as meclizine (Antivert), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) to help with vertigo episodes. Anticholinergics, such as the Transderm Scop patch, may also help with dizziness.
Antihistamines work by blocking signals to the brain that cause symptoms of vertigo, including dizziness, nausea, and sickness. Most cases of vertigo are benign and may not require medication.
A vertigo attack can last from a few seconds to hours. If you have severe vertigo, it can last for many days or months.
Typically, cervical vertigo symptoms happen months or years after trauma to the cervical spine. Anxiety and stress can affect the severity of your symptoms. This is because stress and anxiety affect your muscle tone and the responses of your sympathetic nervous system. Cervical vertigo symptoms can be varied.
“In rare cases, people who experience debilitating vertigo might need surgery, but I find that lying down in the dark, avoiding lights, TVs, and other distractions, and just getting some rest can ease my symptoms,” she said.
Vertigo could also affect your ability to drive. You should avoid driving if you've recently had episodes of vertigo and there's a chance you may have another episode while you're driving.