Labyrinthitis
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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
Alternative/complementary treatment of labyrinthitis
There are a number of alternative/complementary treatments for labyrinthitis, which may help to reduce severity of symptoms and prevent recurrence.
Always discuss these alternative/complementary treatments with your doctor prior to trying them, as they could conflict with current medication or conditions.
Herbs
There are a number of excellent herbs which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Echinacea - the herb echinacea has potent anti-viral properties which may assist with healing a labyrinthitis infection of a viral origin
- Ginger - studies show the herb ginger may assist with reducing the severity of symptoms of nausea
- Ginkgo biloba - studies show the herb ginkgo biloba may assist with reducing dizziness and feelings unbalanced
- Olive leaf - studies show that the herb olive leaf has potent anti-viral properties which may assist with healing a labyrinthitis infection of viral origin
- Slippery elm - studies show the herb slippery elm may assist with stomach queasiness and nausea symptoms
Vitamins
There are a number of vitamins which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Bioflavonoids - studies show that the bioflavonoids, together with vitamin C, have potent antioxidant properties that help with healing
- Vitamin A - studies show that the antioxidant vitamin A provides a boost to the immune system to fight off a viral or bacterial infection and it also may help to reduce inflammation in the middle ear, by ensuring all mucous membranes are healthy
- Vitamin B6 - studies show vitamin B6 helps to reduce symptoms of dizziness and nausea
- Vitamin C - studies show that vitamin C, together with bioflavonoids have potent antioxidant properties that help with healing
- Vitamin E - studies show the antioxidant vitamin E helps to enable healing to happen more quickly which helps to reduce symptoms overall
Minerals
There are a number of minerals which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Magnesium - the mineral magnesium relaxes all of the tissues in the body, especially the smooth tissues, so may help with feelings of stress and anxiety associated with long-term symptoms
- Selenium - studies show the antioxidant mineral selenium helps to boost the immune system during an infection and this may reduce the severity and duration of symptoms
- Zinc - studies show the antioxidant mineral zinc, may help the body heal more quickly from any type of viral infection, which will help to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms
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Other nutrients
There are a number of other nutrients which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Alpha lipoic acid - studies show that alpha-lipoic acid has potent antioxidant properties that boost the function of the immune system. Alpha-lipoic acid can help to reduce the severity of symptoms, especially when the labyrinthitis is caused by any type of infection
- Garlic - studies show that the herb garlic has potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties and may assist with healing more quickly and reducing the symptoms of labyrinthitis, especially when it is caused (or initiated) by a viral or bacterial infection
- Omega 3 fatty acids - studies show that omega-3 essential fatty acids can assist people who have lots of ear wax in their ears, that could be causing the labyrinthitis symptoms. In addition to this, omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce any inflammation in the middle ear that is associated with the labyrinthitis
Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modification strategies which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Avoid alcohol - heavy drinking is a risk factor for developing labyrinthitis, so limiting alcohol intake is advisable
- Eat more vegetables - eating adequate amounts of vegetables every day will provide the nutrients necessary to help the body to heal. Especially beneficial are the dark green leafy vegetables, which are dense in nutrients
- Limit processed foods - it is really important to reduce intake of processed foods, as they can cause a burden on the body to try to digest them and get rid of the toxins they produce. Besides this, processed foods have little nutritional value, so do not provide any functional benefits
- Regulate sugar intake - studies show that excessive intake of sugar can cause feelings of dizziness, as can low sugar levels, so it is advised to eat a balanced diet
Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle modifications which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Avoid bright lights - it may be beneficial to avoid bright lights, especially as they may exacerbate symptoms during a flare-up of the condition
- Balance exercises - there are a number of special exercises which can help the middle ear get better, by improving the balance function of the middle ear
- Don't smoke - cigarette smoking will only exacerbate symptoms, so dont smoke and avoid other people's second hand smoke
- More fluids - drink more water, juice and herbal teas to help hydrate the middle ear and help it heal more quickly
- Rest - enabling the body to rest, by lying down and doing very little, will give the body the best chance to heal itself from the labyrinthitis
- Sit still - moving the head, especially if it is too quickly, can cause an exacerbation of symptoms
Alternative treatments
- Naturopath - there are a number of treatments that can be recommended by a naturopath for labyrinthitis. Consult with a naturopath to get a tailored plan for your specific symptoms with labyrinthitis once it has been diagnosed by your medical doctor
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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< 9: conventional treatment 11: living with labyrinthitis > 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.
