Can labyrinthitis be congenital?

Labyrinthitis...Professionals only, Please.?

• I was just diagnosed with Labyrinthitis and was wondering if it is a chronic condition that reappears periodically?

• Answer:

  Labyrinthitis----also called vestibular neuronitis and viral neurolabyrinthitis----is a disorder of the ear that is characterized by inflammation and irritation of an internal structure of the ear called the labyrinth. The labyrinth is connected to the nervous system and sends messages to the brain about the position of the head. When the labyrinth becomes inflamed due to bacteria or viruses, these messages fail to match with those sent to the brain by the eyes. This causes disturbances in a person's ability to keep his or her balance. Significance The most common variety of labyrinthitis is viral labyrinthitis. Viral labyrinthitis is extremely rare in children and generally affects people between the ages of 30 and 60. Although bacterial labyrinthitis can be easily treated by antibiotics, it is still responsible for hearing loss in one-third of cases. Symptoms The most common symptoms of labyrinthitis include vertigo, loss of balance, nausea, and vomiting. Other possible symptoms include mild fever, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), mild hearing loss, mild headache, runny ears, earache, and involuntary movement of eyes. Even moving the head can cause the symptoms to become worse. The symptoms can persist for a few days to a few weeks, depending on the intensity of the inflammation. Doctors recommend that people suffering from labyrinthitis should refrain from hazardous activities (like driving) for at least a week after the symptoms subside. Labyrinthitis shares some of its symptoms with another condition called Meniere's disease, which is a potentially lifelong disease. Causes The symptoms of labyrinthitis generally appear in conjunction with infections----bacterial or viral----of the ear or the upper respiratory tract (such as flu and cold). Other possible causes include head trauma, excessive alcohol consumption, allergies, smoking, fatigue, and anxiety. Excessive consumption of certain drugs, like aspirin and some antibiotics, can also cause inflammation of the labyrinth. In some rare cases, labyrinthitis can be caused by serious conditions, like brain tumors and strokes. Treatment The treatment of labyrinthitis involves physical therapy and medication to alleviate the symptoms. Doctors recommend certain exercises such as the Epley maneuver and the Brandt and Daroff exercises to reorganize the fluids in the inner ear. Medications that can be used to treat the infections and relive symptoms include antihistamines, anticholinergics, antiemetics, corticosteroids, monoaminergics, sedative-hypnotics, benzodiazepines, phenothiazines, and antiviral drugs. Self Care People suffering from labyrinthitis are advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids until the symptoms subside. They can also speed up their recovery by making these lifestyle changes: Reducing intake of salt and sugar; avoiding alcohol, coffee, and chocolate; quitting smoking; and making their surrounding environment stress- and noise-free.