Inflammation of the middle ear, or labyrinthitis (vestibular neuritis), is a condition in which there is swelling and inflammation of the inner ear, the common cause of which is a virus and, less often, bacteria. [1] X Research source The most common manifestations of labyrinthitis include hearing loss, vertigo, dizziness, loss of balance and nausea. [2] X Research source Most of the more serious symptoms go away in about a week, but you can still be relieved while waiting for the unpleasant symptoms. All you have to do is follow a few instructions that we offer you in our article. [3] X Research source
Home Remedy For Symptoms Of Otitis Media
Recognize the symptoms of labyrinthitis. The inner parts of the ear are very important for our hearing and for maintaining balance. Inflammation of the middle ear and the swelling that accompanies it can lead to the elimination of both of these senses, resulting in a cascading swelling of other problems. The most common symptoms by which you can recognize otitis media include:
Vertigo (feelings of disturbed balance when standing upright – you’re dizzy)
Difficult to concentrate eyesight, eyes moving on their own
Dizziness
Hearing loss
Imbalance
Nausea and vomiting
Tinnitus (ringing or other sounds in the ears)
Avoid activities that could complicate or worsen your condition. If you have recently had certain illnesses (colds and flu) or infections of the respiratory and auditory systems, you are at significant risk of developing otitis media. In addition to these diseases, which are difficult to avoid, there are also increased activities and conditions that you can affect yourself. These include, for example:
Excessive alcohol consumption
Fatigue
Severe allergies
Smoking
Stress
Certain medications (such as aspirin)
Take over-the-counter antihistamines. Over-the-counter antihistamines are used to treat allergies and can alleviate clogging from previous infections that can cause swelling and otitis media. Commonly available antihistamines include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine (Clarinex), and fexofenadine (Allegra).
Most antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so you should always read the information in the package leaflet or the package carefully. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
Take free medication to relieve dizziness. Because otitis media most often has a viral cause, you will need to wait for your immune system to fight the virus. In the meantime, you can use free medication to relieve the symptoms of labyrinthitis, including dizziness. Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine or Antivert) is one of the most commonly used medicines for which you do not need a prescription.
Suppress vertigo. Associated labyrinthitis usually manifests itself in sudden onslaught and does not persist continuously. Once you have a vertigo attack caused by labyrinthitis, you can take a few steps to mitigate its effects. Method:
Rest and try to stay calm. Do not move your head.
Do not make sharp changes to your position or make any sudden movements
Return to activity only very slowly
Get help walking so you don’t get hurt in a sudden fall
Avoid bright lights, television (and other electronic screens) and reading
Perform exercises to reduce vertigo. There are several exercises that help alleviate the onslaught of vertigo. The most effective exercise is called the Epley Maneuver. With this maneuver you can move small particles in the canals of your inner ear. If these particles are moved out of place, they can cause vertigo. Epley’s maneuver is performed as follows:
Sit on the edge in the middle of the bed and turn your head 45 ° in the direction that vertigo causes.
Hold your head at this angle and quickly lie on your back. This should lead to a relatively strong onslaught of vertigo. Hold this position for thirty seconds.
Turn your head 90 ° in the opposite direction and hold for another thirty seconds.
Turn your head and body in the same direction (you should now be in a sideways position with your head over the edge of the bed at a 45 ° angle to the ground). Hold this position for another thirty seconds and then sit down.
Repeat five or six times until you stop feeling strong vertigo during the maneuver.
After improving your condition, don’t forget to take certain measures. Even though the main symptoms of labyrinthis disappear after about a week, you can observe other minor symptoms three weeks later (on average). Persistent dizziness can be very dangerous, especially when they are hit while driving, climbing rocks or handling heavy equipment. Take the necessary precautions and consider consulting your doctor to advise you on whether or not it is safe to return to normal activities.
Doctor visit
Learn to recognize when it’s time to seek immediate medical attention. In the vast majority of otitis media, your immune system will deal with the disease on its own. However, in some cases, rarer labyrinthitis caused by bacteria can lead to more serious (and potentially life-threatening) conditions, such as meningitis. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately:
Convulsions
Double vision
Fainting
Severe vomiting
Slurred, confused speech
Vertigo and fevers above 38 ° C
Weakness or paralysis
Make an appointment with your doctor. In the case of labyrinthitis, you should see a doctor even if you do not experience any more serious symptoms that would directly endanger you. Your doctor will determine the etiology of your otitis media (cause) and tell you if it is caused virally or bacterially. He or she may recommend further measures to alleviate the side effects of your condition during treatment and reduce the risk of permanent hearing loss.
Take all the tests your doctor requires. If he thinks that your condition could be caused by anything other than labyrinthitis, he will probably want to test you for other diseases and rule out that it is something more serious. You may be sent for these tests:
Electroencephalograph (EEG)
Electronystagmography (ENG), which tests your eye reflexes and the heating / cooling of your inner ear
Computed tomography (CT) scan, which assesses your condition according to a detailed x-ray of your head
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Hearing tests
Take prescribed labyrinthitis medications. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicines for more serious cases of viral otitis media. In the case of bacterial labyrinthitis, he prescribes antibiotics. No matter what medication you have been prescribed, take it exactly as instructed throughout your doctor’s appointment.
Ask about medications that will reduce the symptoms of otitis media. In addition to medications that treat the cause of otitis media, your doctor may prescribe medications that will help alleviate the associated discomfort during the healing process, such as vertigo, dizziness, and others (listed above). Tell your doctor about any antihistamines, Dramamine or other over-the-counter medications you have been taking before consulting your doctor. Your doctor will then give you a specific treatment that you need to follow. Commonly prescribed drugs in this case include, for example:
Prochlorperazine (compazin) to control nausea and vomiting
Scopolamine to relieve dizziness
Sedatives such as diazepam (Valium)
Steroidy (prednison, methylprednisolon nebo decadron)
In case of chronic problems, ask your doctor about vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT). If your symptoms do not respond to treatment and become a chronic problem, you should ask your doctor for vestibular rehabilitation therapy. VRT is a therapy that can help you adapt to the symptoms of labyrinthitis. Common strategies used in this therapy include:
Sight stabilization exercises: these exercises will help your brain adapt to the new signaling from the affected part of the vestibular system (the system that helps you with orientation). Common exercises include fixing the view of a certain goal and simultaneous movement of the head.
Channel Restoration Exercises: Chronic labyrinthitis symptoms can lead to changes associated with nerve signals that ensure your balance and gait. These exercises will improve coordination by helping you adapt to the affected sensory information you receive from your eyes and vestibular system.
Be prepared that you will have to complete one or two sessions a week for four to six weeks due to VRT.
As a last resort, undergo surgery. In very rare cases, your doctor may advise you to undergo aggressive surgery, which is necessary to stop the advanced symptoms of labyrinthitis before it turns into very dangerous and potentially fatal meningitis or encephalitis. These procedures include labyrinthectomy (removal of the affected part of the inner ear), which prevents the spread of infection.
