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What is Vestibular Neuritis?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Vestibular neuritis is an inflammatory disease that disrupts the vestibular system, the part of the body that regulates balance and helps the body orient itself in space. This condition occurs when the vestibular nerve becomes inflamed and the signals that normally pass along it are disrupted. The vestibular system is confused and as a result, the patient develops vertigo, which can be described as a spinning sensation that can cause nausea and difficulty walking. Sometimes the onset of vertigo is very rapid.

Cases of vestibular neuritis are usually caused by an infection in the ear. The infection leads to an inflammatory response that spreads to the vestibular nerve, causing irritation and swelling. The symptoms of vertigo develop and can be accompanied with nausea and vomiting. Patients can also develop nystagmus, a twitch of the eye. In people with vestibular neuritis, the twitch is usually in the direction of the affected ear.

Vestibular neuritis can cause vertigo which can lead to nausea.
Vestibular neuritis can cause vertigo which can lead to nausea.

Also known as vestibular neuronitis, this condition is closely linked to labyrinthitis, another inflammatory condition that involves the ear. When a patient seeks treatment for things like vertigo, hearing loss, or pain around the ears, diagnostic tests can be performed to learn more about what is going on inside the patient's body. These tests include magnetic resonance imaging to visualize the inside of the ear, audiograms to check for auditory symptoms, and bloodwork to look for signs of infection such as an elevated white blood cell count.

Vestibular neuritis is an inflammatory disease that disrupts the vestibular system, which is the part of the body that regulates balance and helps the body orient itself in space.
Vestibular neuritis is an inflammatory disease that disrupts the vestibular system, which is the part of the body that regulates balance and helps the body orient itself in space.

Treatment of vestibular neuritis is multi-pronged. The inflammation that is causing the vestibular neuritis must be addressed with anti-inflammatory drugs and medications to kill the microorganisms behind the inflammation. In addition, the vertigo must be treated. Drugs designed to reduce nausea can be prescribed and if the patient is losing fluids as a result of frequent vomiting, fluids may be prescribed as well. The patient can also be sent to a rehabilitation specialist who can help the patient manage the vertigo.

Many cases of vertigo occur because of a disturbance in the vestibular system.
Many cases of vertigo occur because of a disturbance in the vestibular system.

When a patient experiences this ear disorder, the vertigo may be brief or it may last for a week or more. It is important to receive treatment to prevent long term damage to the ear, which may interfere with the person's sense of balance. In addition, inflammations in the ear can spread, causing hearing impairment. Patients who experience recurrent inflammations and infections in the ear may want to consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist to find out why these conditions keep reappearing and to explore treatment approaches for preventing them or managing them more effectively.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Vestibular neuritis can cause vertigo which can lead to nausea.
      By: Julija Sapic
      Vestibular neuritis can cause vertigo which can lead to nausea.
    • Vestibular neuritis is an inflammatory disease that disrupts the vestibular system, which is the part of the body that regulates balance and helps the body orient itself in space.
      By: Rob hyrons
      Vestibular neuritis is an inflammatory disease that disrupts the vestibular system, which is the part of the body that regulates balance and helps the body orient itself in space.
    • Many cases of vertigo occur because of a disturbance in the vestibular system.
      By: elizalebedewa
      Many cases of vertigo occur because of a disturbance in the vestibular system.
    • An infection of the ear is usually the cause of vestibular neuritis.
      By: dimedrol68
      An infection of the ear is usually the cause of vestibular neuritis.
    • Pain around the ears may be a symptom of vestibular neuritis.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Pain around the ears may be a symptom of vestibular neuritis.
    • Patients suffering from vestibular neuritis may experience nausea and vomiting.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Patients suffering from vestibular neuritis may experience nausea and vomiting.
    • An MRI may be performed to test a patient for vestibular neuritis.
      By: jovannig
      An MRI may be performed to test a patient for vestibular neuritis.