Labyrinthitis is an inflammation that affects the labyrinth in the inner ear. Treatment usually includes the use of medications to fight the cause and to control the symptoms. Most people can get relief from symptoms within a few weeks and can achieve full recovery in a month or two with proper treatment.
Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the labyrinth in the inner ear. The labyrinth is a maze-like structure in the inner ear which controls hearing and body balance. The labyrinth is made up of the cochlea and the vestibular system with the superior canal, posterior canal and horizontal canal. When any part of the labyrinth becomes inflamed, it creates a condition known as labyrinthitis.
The causes of labyrinthitis include 1) viral infections such as mumps or measles, 2) a bacterial infection spreading from the middle ear or the meninges, 3) autoimmune diseases, 4) ear injuries or skull fracture, 5) tumors of the ear (cholesteatoma), and even 6) overuse of certain medications such as aspirin. In addition, drinking alcohol, fatigue, smoking and stress can increase the risks of getting labyrinthitis. The inner ear is important for hearing and body balance. Therefore, once there is an inflammation within the inner ear, it can cause the inner ear become swollen and irritated and then result in loss of hearing and disturbance in balance. The common symptoms of labyrinthitis include feelings like spinning, loss of balance and hearing, difficulty in focusing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and even a tinnitus (noise or ringing) in the affected ear.
Proper treatment can help to fight the underlying cause and to reduce the symptoms of dizziness and vertigo. Medications like antiviral drugs, antibiotics, sedatives and steroids are, depending on the cause, used to treat labyrinthitis. Other medications that can reduce the symptoms of nausea and vomiting including prochlorperazine, and to relieve the symptoms of dizziness, meclizine is also commonly prescribed. With proper treatment, symptoms of labyrinthitis can improve within a few weeks and can achieve full recovery in a month or two. Without proper treatment, a labyrinthitis can lead to permanent damage on hearing and balance functions.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
Name
Email address
Type your message here