Labyrinthitis: the most effective natural treatments and remedies

From lavender oil to ginger root. From passionflower to valerian. Always take after consulting your doctor.

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labyrinthitis
La labyrinthitis It is an inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinth), which can cause severe dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, and sometimes hearing loss (hearing loss). Therefore, it does not correspond to a single clinical entity, but rather refers to a number of symptoms associated with inner ear dysfunction. Symptoms include, in addition to hearing loss, nausea, vomiting, and postural problems. Once a precise diagnosis has been received from a doctor, and only after his or her authorization, Labyrinthitis can be treated with some effective natural remedies. Among which herbal teas based on ginger or passionflower, and lavender essential oil. Among the remedies that don't involve the use of drugs (which often lead to waste), but are a liberating maneuver.

Cause

Inflammation of the inner ear can have various origins, including viral and bacterial infections, or vascular problems, such as spasms or infarctions of the blood vessels. In some cases, even poorly treated otitis media can develop into labyrinthitis, particularly in diabetics. The causes can be viral or bacterial, and in children, the most common forms are associated with meningitis or otitis media.
 
Other causes of labyrinthitis are:
 
  • La Meniere's disease, due to an imbalance of the labyrinthine fluids for metabolic reasons, which can sometimes begin with acute vertigo;
  • La otolith dislocation, that is, the calcium carbonate crystals normally present in certain points of the labyrinth, which accumulate in the semicircular canals causing 'impact' vertigo due to the impact of these 'pebbles' with the nervous structures of the labyrinth itself following very specific movements;
  • Dental occlusion problems (stomatognathic causes), which can now be easily examined with computerized stabilometry.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of labyrinthitis are:

If these symptoms occur, even in combination, it's important to consult a doctor for a diagnosis and, if possible, to develop a series of effective natural remedies. A medical consultation becomes urgent when the fever is high, there's sudden hearing loss, severe and persistent dizziness, or a bacterial infection is suspected. 

Types of labyrinthitis

There are different types of labyrinthitis, which are classified based on the origin of the infection (bacterial or viral) and their severity.
 
  • Acute non-suppurative labyrinthitis: it is triggered by a respiratory tract infection, characterised by intense dizziness, loud tinnitus, nystagmus and light-headedness.
  • Circumscribed labyrinthitis: usually caused by cholesteatoma (a type of chronic otitis media) or by accidents during mastoid surgery.
  • Chronic labyrinthitis: occurs following erosion of the bony labyrinthine capsule, with episodes of permanent vertigo.
  • Viral endolymphatic labyrinthitis: associated with viral infections such as measles and mumps, it manifests itself with sudden deafness.
  • Serous labyrinthitis: develops in the cleft between the middle ear, located in the lateral semicircular canals.
  • Suppurative labyrinthitis: caused by infections of the inner ear due to pyogenic microorganisms, leads to deafness.
  • Traumatic labyrinthitis: complication of head trauma or ear surgery.

Diagnosis

Since labyrinthitis is not a well-defined pathology, but rather a complex of clinical conditions resulting from various causes, it is essential to identify the true underlying problem before taking action. For this reason, a thorough evaluation by an ENT specialist is essential, who can prescribe a series of diagnostic tests, including:

  • Blood tests
  • Audiometric test
  • Videooculonystagmography
  • Magnetic resonance
  • Computed tomography (CT)

This thorough evaluation is crucial in determining the most appropriate treatment for the individual patient.

Cures and treatments

Depending on the nature and cause of labyrinthitis, treatments may vary. For example, bacterial labyrinthitis should be treated with antibiotics. Meanwhile, viral labyrinthitis, especially in mild forms, can be treated with antiviral drugs.

Symptoms such as nausea and vomiting require the use of antiemetic drugs. Dizziness, like other symptoms, is often treated with anticholinergic drugs.

Inflammation can be treated with the use of steroids. In cases where labyrinthitis is related to states of anxiety or under conditions of trough, drugs such as benzodiazepines or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be prescribed. SerotoninIt is important to emphasize that all these medications must be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.

When managing vertigo attacks, it is recommended to keep your head still and reduce the amount of light in your surroundings, for example by turning off the lights or closing blinds and shutters.

It is also recommended to avoid sudden head movements and limit the use of devices with backlit screens, such as smartphones, computers, and televisions, until the symptoms have completely resolved.

The liberating maneuver

The liberatory maneuver is an important technique in the treatment of some forms of labyrinthitis, particularly benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This vertigo is caused by the displacement of otoliths, small calcium carbonate crystals, within the labyrinth of the ear.

Vertigo typically occurs with head movements, such as when lying down or changing positions in bed, and may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

The liberatory maneuver is performed by an otolaryngologist and involves specific movements of the patient's head and body. These maneuvers aim to return the otoliths to their original position within the labyrinth, thus alleviating the sensation of vertigo. Before performing these maneuvers, the specialist will perform diagnostic procedures to identify the affected semicircular canal.

How long does the acute phase last?

The acute phase of labyrinthitis usually lasts 2-3 days, after which there is a period (from 2 weeks to several months) characterized by: 

    • imbalance 
    • feeling of instability 
    • difficulty seeing clearly during rapid head movements or while walking
    • feeling of not being perfectly balanced. 

Natural remedies

To alleviate the symptoms of labyrinthitis, but not for strictly therapeutic purposes, herbal teas containing:
 
  • Valerian: plant with sedative action that reduces the possibility of escalation in patients suffering from anxiety.
  • Passiflora: A plant with relaxing effects, it helps lower blood pressure and calm agitation, restlessness, or nervous gastrointestinal symptoms. Excellent in herbal teas.
  • Root of ginger: ideal for relieving the symptoms of nausea and dizziness caused by labyrinthitis.

  • Ginkgo biloba: improves cerebral circulation, and is useful in case of vestibular problems.

Another effective natural remedy for alleviating the symptoms and discomfort of labyrinthitis is lavender essential oil, which can also be taken in creams. It's also important to consider that in certain cases, labyrinthitis can be caused by agitation, anxiety, and stress. For these forms of labyrinthitis, there's no time limit for the symptoms to disappear. In the case of stress-induced labyrinthitis, it's necessary to address the underlying causes of stress or anxiety, while the discomfort can be addressed with calming effects through: la chamomile , melissa.

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