Dizziness - Labyrinthitis

If you’ve had a recent bacterial or viral infection, and then become dizzy, it may be due to labyrinthitis. The inner ear has a membranous labyrinth which can become inflamed. This will usually cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears. The dizziness will usually be described as room spinning and can last for days. 

The most common cause of labyrinthitis is an upper respiratory tract infection. Ramsay-Hunt syndrome can cause it too, which is the herpes zoster virus (shingles) attacking the facial nerves. This will cause pain, hearing loss, and a rash in the mouth, face, neck, and scalp, and cause temporary facial paralysis. In some rare cases, autoimmune disorders can also trigger labyrinthitis. 

The good news is that the prognosis is generally good, lasting for 72 hours to up to a few weeks. Patients will be instructed to hydrate, and if it’s bacterial, they’ll be given antibiotics. Some patients may need medical management depending on severity of symptoms, and may include steroids or antihistamines. However, most people will develop a VOR hypofunction as a secondary result. VOR hypofunction means that the vestibular ocular reflex isn’t working right. This reflex allows your gaze to remain fixed on an object as your head moves. There is a progression of exercises like the one below to address this: 

If this sounds like you, let’s get on a call and see if our dizziness program is the right fit for you: