About labyrinthitis
Vestibular nerves connect the inner ear to the brain. They serve to relay nerve impulses regarding balance from the ear to the brain. The brain which processes the signals from both ears and signals body muscles to maintain body balance.
Labyrinthitis is a condition that occurs when there is an inflammation on either or both of the vestibular nerves. The brain has difficulty interpreting signals from the inflamed nerves. The result is labyrinthitis characterized by dizziness and lack of balance.
Signs and symptoms
Due to its impact on the inner ear nerves, labyrinthitis’ mainly manifests through problems in balance and hearing. The symptoms to look out for include:
- Loss of balance accompanied by extreme dizziness (Collectively known as vertigo)
- Nausea which may lead to vomiting if the illness is severe
- An irritating and persistent buzzing or ringing sound in the ears known as Tinnitus
- Impaired hearing in the affected ear. Hearing may be lost completely if the condition is not treated.
- In some cases you may find it difficult to focus your sight
Labyrinthitis is generally a painless condition and therefore can develop to an advanced stage without detection. In extreme cases it can damage your nerves leading to permanent loss of hearing and permanent problem with balance.
Predisposing factors
The inflammation, however, can happen to anyone irrespective of age or gender.
Viral or bacterial infections in the inner ear are the leading causes of inflammation of vestibular nerves leading to labyrinthitis.
The factors that may predispose you to labyrinthitis are therefore those that may cause an infection or direct damage of vestibular nerves such as:
- Herpes infection
- Flu, bronchitis and other respiratory infections are notorious for causing inflammations in the ears through the ENT system
- A viral or bacterial infection in the middle or inner ear
- Illnesses whose symptoms include nausea and vomiting such as gastrointestinal infections and malaria may exacerbate dizziness or the buzzing sound in your ears
- Allergies
- Prolonged indulgence in drugs and substances that affect the nervous systems has occasionally been linked to damage of the nerves including vestibular nerves
If you have an infection that causes you to experience symptoms of labyrinthitis, inform the medical practitioner that treats you for the infection so that they can also check your ears.
Treatment and management of symptoms
If you have been diagnosed with labyrinthitis, there are various medications that you can use to treat or manage the symptoms. The doctor may prescribe antihistamines, drugs to manage vertigo and nausea, sedatives, or other types of medications as they deem necessary.
You can also apply some self-help techniques to manage the symptoms:
- Do not change your position rapidly such as standing or turning your head abruptly
- If you get a vertigo attack while standing, sit as soon as possible
- Avoid watching TV and films when feeling dizzy especially those with rapid action
- Avoid video games as well
- When picking something, bend at the knees and keep your head above your shoulders
Managing labyrinthitis with hypnotherapy
The dizziness and loss of balance you experience when suffering from labyrinthitis constitute a condition known as vertigo. Recent work by experts and researchers has proved that you can effectively manage vertigo through hypnotherapy.
It has been proven that sometimes the dizziness, racing heart, nausea and vomiting associated with vertigo is a result of anxiety and fear you develop as you deal with the illness.
In hypnotherapy, the therapist guides you to access your subconscious mind to eliminate the negative thoughts that bring the anxiety and replace them with positive thoughts.
By using hypnotherapy to address the vertigo-related symptoms, you will have substantially cut the medication you need to treat the labyrinthitis. Contact a qualified therapist today and begin your recovery journey.
