What Causes Vestibular Neuritis?

Vestibular neuritis is a medical condition that develops as a result of a viral infection. This illness causes the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain to become inflamed. Patients with this condition typically experience severe dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and problems with balance. Patients also generally experience vertigo, a sensation that their surroundings are spinning or swaying around them. Diagnosing vestibular neuritis can be difficult, and doctors perform a detailed clinical examination to rule out other potential causes of these symptoms. The doctor will check to ensure the patient does not have a head injury or a stroke. They will also perform a cardiac examination to rule out heart problems. The illnesses described below are some of the most common causes of vestibular neuritis.

Viral Infection In The Inner Ear

A viral infection in the inner ear is much more common than a bacterial infection. Viral infections typically only affect one ear, and doctors do not know as much about these types of infections as they do about bacterial infections. Antibiotics will not help in the treatment of viral infections, though most go away on their own and cause no permanent damage to the ear. Doctors who treat patients with viral inner ear infections focus on providing pain relief and managing dizziness and nausea. Over-the-counter pain medication and warm compresses applied to the ear can help ease the pain. Patients who have severe nausea may need intravenous fluids. If symptoms of a viral ear infection persist, doctors may order additional tests such as audiograms (hearing tests), electronystagmography, videonystagmography, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.

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