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- What is labyrinthitis?
- Symptoms of labyrinthitis
- Causes of labyrinthitis
- Prevention of labyrinthitis
- Risk factors for labyrinthitis
- Complications of labyrinthitis
- When to see a doctor about labyrinthitis
- Diagnosis of labyrinthitis
- Conventional treatment of labyrinthitis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of labyrinthitis
- Living with labyrinthitis
- Caring for someone with labyrinthitis
Risk factors for labyrinthitis
There are a number of risk factors for the development of labyrinthitis:
- Allergies (allergic rhinitis) - people who get recurrent allergies or who have chronic allergic rhinitis (hay fever) are also more susceptible to developing labyrinthitis too. The swelling, inflammation and irritation of the nasal passages can also cause the middle ear to become inflamed and irritated to resulting in labyrinthitis
- Benign positional vertigo - this condition is characterised by dizziness and loss of balance and is often mistaken for labyrinthitis as these conditions tend to occur together. Vertigo is due to an imbalanced vestibular system in the middle ear (labyrinth) and can often precede labyrinthitis
- Certain medications - a number of medications are known to cause inflammation and irrational to the middle ear and long term or excessive usage can result in labyrinthitis (or even people who are just sensitive can experience it too). Medications such as: Aspirin, Lasix (a loop diuretic), Phenytoin (an anti-epileptic) as well as some ACE-inhibitors and beta blockers (used for managing heart disease)
- Excessive alcohol intake - heavy drinking of alcohol is a known risk factor for developing labyrinthitis, so limiting alcohol intake is advised to reduce the risk of developing this condition
- Injury to the ear - any type of injury to the ear will cause inflammation and swelling to the whole ear and this is a risk factor for causing labyrinthitis too
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- Meniere's disease - this condition is a disorder of the middle ear and causes dizziness and loss of balance. This condition is a risk factor for labyrinthitis and is often mistaken for (or confused with) labyrinthitis
- Middle ear infection (otitis media) - any type of existing middle ear infection (especially common in children) is a very high risk factor for the development of labyrinthitis too, as the labyrinth is already irritated and inflamed from the existing infection
- Smoking - smoking cigarettes is one of the most common risk factors for labyrinthitis, as is exposure to other people's second hand smoke, especially if it is constant exposure. Cigarette smoke is very irritating to the delicate middle ear and this can cause labyrinthitis because of the inflammation and swelling of the middle ear tissue due to the effect of the cigarette smoke
- Upper respiratory infection (bacterial) - any type of bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract can be very severe life threatening and is also a risk factor for very serious labyrinthitis, especially if there is any fluid build-up inside the ear
- Upper respiratory infection (viral) - any type of existing upper respiratory infection, including cold, flu, sinusitis, is a very high risk factor for causing labyrinthitis too, because the virus that is causing the infection can also move to the ear, infect the labyrinth and produce swelling and inflammation, resulting in labyrinthitis
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Sections: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
< 4: prevention 6: complications > Last reviewed: 10 November 2007 || Last updated: 3 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
