VESTIBULAR NEURITIS AFFECTS QUITE A FEW PEOPLE.

THE KUHNS REPORT

LAS VEGAS - Hello America, and how is the world treating you?

In response to an inquiry from S.W. from Pennsylvania about "vestibular neuritis", here  is  some information for you to review.

The vestibular system is part of the inner ear and the brain that picks up and translates your sensory information that regulate the body's balance and control and  controls eye movement. Neuritis  is a term for various diseases when a nerve or any group of nerves become inflamed. Thus, "vestibular neuritis."

The condition can effect either ear. When the inner ear becomes infected and inflamed you will experience (vertigo), which on a scale, can be mild, moderate or severe. If you experience a severe bout of vertigo you may experience a continual feeling of a spinning sensation. That in turn  will maker it difficult for you to stand and walk. You may also experience headaches, nausea and/or vomiting.

When a person has a healthy vestibular system, their brain from both the left and right sides of the body work in sync. But when the nerves or one side becomes inflamed and causes swelling the information that is transmitted  to your brain goes out of sync, and becomes a jumbled mess. The result is the brain is unable to match and sync up what both the left and right sides of your body are trying to say, and you will experience vertigo, either in mild, moderate, or severe episodes.

A persons balance will be affected, and they may also experience some difficulty with hearing and vision problems. The hearing problems might be tinnitus (ringing in the ears). They may also experience a lack of concentration.

I should note that most ear infections are a result of a viral infection. And a viral infection in the ear sometimes difficult to pin down as to how these infections are being transmitted throughout the body.

The good news is:  the viral infection generally runs its course within a few weeks. But if the nerves have been damaged, the dizziness may continue. There is no specific test for vestibular neuritis. However, an MRI could rule out conditions such as stroke, or a head injury.

I would suggest that if your dizziness continues, further testing may be necessary to hone in on the actual location of the problem. Your physician may also suggest a brief stint of steroids so as to reduce the inflammation.  - And, that's my opinion. Make your own decisions. You decide.

BRADLEY W. KUHNS, Ph.D., O.M.D.
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Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com