Typically, people with vestibular neuritis go through an acute phase and a chronic phase. In most cases, this means sudden, severe symptoms for about one week, followed by milder symptoms that last anywhere from a few weeks to several months VSports最新版本. It’s rare, but some people develop long-term vestibular neuritis symptoms which last for years.
The initial phase of vestibular neuritis lasts up to a few days. Symptoms vary and may include: V体育平台登录.
The chronic phase of vestibular neuritis can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months and may include symptoms such as:
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Keep in mind that vestibular neuritis symptoms vary from person to person V体育官网入口. Your symptoms will depend on several factors, including the exact cause, the area of nerve damage and your medical history.
Experts believe vestibular neuritis results from viral infections that start in your inner ear or begin somewhere else in your body, like chickenpox or viral hepatitis.
The condition itself isn’t contagious V体育2025版. In other words, you can’t catch vestibular neuritis from someone else who has it. But you can pass the viruses that cause vestibular neuritis to other people.
Having a viral infection is the main risk factor for vestibular neuritis VSports. Examples of viral infections include:.
For many people, vestibular neuritis symptoms improve in a week or two. But about half of all people with the condition develop chronic, long-lasting symptoms like unsteadiness, dizziness or spatial disorientation (the inability to determine your body position relative to your surroundings). In extreme cases, people may have permanent hearing loss or damage to their inner ear.
In most cases, an otolaryngologist (ENT) diagnoses vestibular neuritis. Some people may also need to see a neurologist (a doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system) or an audiologist (a hearing specialist).
First, your healthcare provider will rule out any other potential health conditions, such as:
To do this, they may request imaging tests. This usually includes an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with dye (contrast agent).
Your healthcare provider may also use the following tests to confirm your diagnosis:
The main goal of vestibular neuritis treatment is to manage your symptoms. To do this, your healthcare provider may recommend:
Your healthcare provider may use a variety of medications to ease your vestibular neuritis symptoms, such as:
Drugs to reduce nausea include:
People with severe nausea and vomiting may need to stay in the hospital. There, healthcare providers will give you IV fluids to address dehydration.
Drugs to reduce dizziness include:
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Drugs to reduce dizziness are vestibular suppressants. You shouldn’t use vestibular suppressants longer than three days.
Healthcare providers may also recommend corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in your vestibular nerve.
If a herpes virus caused vestibular neuritis, your healthcare provider may recommend antiviral medicine like acyclovir.
If balance and dizziness problems last longer than a few weeks, your healthcare provider may recommend vestibular rehabilitation therapy. The goal of this program is to retrain your brain to adapt to the changes you experience.
As the first step in this program, a vestibular physical therapist evaluates the parts of your body that affect balance. These areas include your:
Your provider will design an exercise program tailored to your specific needs based on the results of the evaluation.
It depends on your unique situation. Recovery times vary greatly depending on the severity of your condition and where on your vestibular nerve the damage occurred.
Some people may recover in just one week. Others may have lingering symptoms that last weeks, months or even years.
People with vestibular neuritis usually make a full recovery within a few weeks. But symptoms may linger for some people. If your symptoms aren’t improving, talk to your healthcare provider about additional treatment options.
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Because viruses cause vestibular neuritis, you can’t always prevent the condition. However, you can reduce your risk by making sure you’re up to date on all of your vaccines.
Call your healthcare provider anytime you develop vestibular neuritis symptoms like severe vertigo, dizziness or balance issues. If you’ve already undergone vestibular neuritis treatment but your symptoms aren’t improving, let your provider know.
If you have vestibular neuritis, here are some questions you may want to ask your healthcare provider:
Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis are closely related disorders that cause similar symptoms. While vestibular neuritis involves inflammation of the vestibular nerve, labyrinthitis refers to inflammation of the labyrinth — the part of your inner ear that contains organs that help with balance and hearing.
Vestibular neuritis and BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) cause many of the same symptoms. But these are very different conditions.
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While vestibular neuritis results from an inflamed vestibular nerve, BPPV happens when tiny crystals (otoconia) in your inner ear become displaced. Otoconia generally stay in your utricle (a fluid-filled cavity in your inner ear). But these tiny crystals can become dislodged and travel to your semicircular canals (fluid-filled tubes that help with balance). When this occurs, it can result in vertigo, dizziness and balance issues.
In about 95% of people, having vestibular neuritis is a one-time experience. Most people fully recover. However, recurrence (return) is possible.
Yes. Like many other viruses, COVID-19 can result in inner ear issues such as vestibular neuritis. If you’re experiencing worrisome symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Vestibular neuritis is an inner ear disorder that results in severe vertigo, dizziness and balance issues. It can come on suddenly and last anywhere from one week to several months — and in some cases, even years. Vestibular neuritis causes include viruses that affect your inner ear or begin somewhere else in your body. Most people with vestibular neuritis improve within a few weeks. If your symptoms don’t go away, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help find a treatment that works best for you.
Vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders can make you feel unsteady on your feet. Cleveland Clinic’s experts can craft a treatment plan that works for you.
Last reviewed on 01/19/2023.
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