Otitis interna
Encyclopedia
Otitis interna is an inflammation
of the inner ear
and is usually considered synonymous with labyrinthitis
. Hola
Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear that typically results in severe vertigo
lasting for one or more days. Its cause is rarely identified, but it is thought most commonly to derive from a viral
inflammation
of the vestibular
labyrinth (the part of the inner ear responsible for balance). Patients usually present with the sudden onset of severe whirling vertigo, nausea
, and vomiting
. The symptoms can be so severe and disabling that patients frequently go to the emergency room for care and require vestibular suppressants such as diazepam
or meclozine
in order to tolerate the vertigo. Symptoms typically subside over a few days, but may leave the patient with vague imbalance which slowly improves over weeks to months. Hearing loss rarely accompanies the vertigo in labyrinthitis. Occasionally a bacterial infection of the middle ear
can spread to the inner ear and cause this disease. In this situation antibiotic
treatment may be helpful.
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
of the inner ear
Inner ear
The inner ear is the innermost part of the vertebrate ear. In mammals, it consists of the bony labyrinth, a hollow cavity in the temporal bone of the skull with a system of passages comprising two main functional parts:...
and is usually considered synonymous with labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear, and a form of unilateral vestibular dysfunction. It derives its name from the labyrinths that house the vestibular system . Labyrinthitis can cause balance disorders....
. Hola
Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear that typically results in severe vertigo
Vertigo (medical)
Vertigo is a type of dizziness, where there is a feeling of motion when one is stationary. The symptoms are due to a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear...
lasting for one or more days. Its cause is rarely identified, but it is thought most commonly to derive from a viral
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
inflammation
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
of the vestibular
Vestibular system
The vestibular system, which contributes to balance in most mammals and to the sense of spatial orientation, is the sensory system that provides the leading contribution about movement and sense of balance. Together with the cochlea, a part of the auditory system, it constitutes the labyrinth of...
labyrinth (the part of the inner ear responsible for balance). Patients usually present with the sudden onset of severe whirling vertigo, nausea
Nausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
, and vomiting
Vomiting
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose...
. The symptoms can be so severe and disabling that patients frequently go to the emergency room for care and require vestibular suppressants such as diazepam
Diazepam
Diazepam , first marketed as Valium by Hoffmann-La Roche is a benzodiazepine drug. Diazepam is also marketed in Australia as Antenex. It is commonly used for treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures including status epilepticus, muscle spasms , restless legs syndrome, alcohol withdrawal,...
or meclozine
Meclozine
Meclozine is an antihistamine considered to be an antiemetic. It is sold under the brand names Bonine, Bonamine, Antivert, Postafen, Sea Legs, and Dramamine . Emesafene is a combination of meclozine and pyridoxine...
in order to tolerate the vertigo. Symptoms typically subside over a few days, but may leave the patient with vague imbalance which slowly improves over weeks to months. Hearing loss rarely accompanies the vertigo in labyrinthitis. Occasionally a bacterial infection of the middle ear
Middle ear
The middle ear is the portion of the ear internal to the eardrum, and external to the oval window of the cochlea. The mammalian middle ear contains three ossicles, which couple vibration of the eardrum into waves in the fluid and membranes of the inner ear. The hollow space of the middle ear has...
can spread to the inner ear and cause this disease. In this situation antibiotic
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
treatment may be helpful.