Vestibular neuronitis is a disorder resulting from inflammation of the vestibular nerve in the inner ear caused by a virus. The main symptom is a dizziness attack followed by vomiting, which can last up to ten days. The first attack is the worst, and several of them can occur in a year. This disorder goes away on its own, and there is no special treatment, but the symptoms are treated.

What causes vestibular neuronitis?

The most common cause of vestibular neuronitis is inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which sends a message from the inner ear to the brain about the balance and position of the head. When this nerve is inflamed, the information about the balance is not transmitted well and therefore dizziness occurs. This condition occurs in people of all ages. Inflammation is usually caused by viral infections of the inner ear or viral infections in the body such as the flu, measles, rubella, mumps, measles or mononucleosis. In rare cases, the culprit for this condition is a bacterial infection.

How to recognize vestibular neuronitis?

The main symptom of vestibular neuronitis is sudden dizziness and there may be problems with balance, nausea and vomiting, as well as difficulty concentrating. You may also notice rapid movement of the eyes, more precisely snoring towards the affected side, which is called nystagmus. Some people will also have tinnitus.

The symptoms usually appear suddenly and are worst at the first appearance and later become milder. Although this condition is caused by inflammation of the nerve in the ear, hearing is not impaired. Symptoms usually improve after a few days, although they can last up to three weeks, and dizziness attacks can occur for up to a year. Dizziness significantly affects a person's daily life and the performance of daily activities, so it is important that the symptoms are under control.

How is this condition treated?

When it is caused by some kind of infection, the infection itself is treated. There is no cure for vestibular neuronitis, but certain medications can reduce symptoms such as antiemetics, sedatives, or anti-inflammatory drugs. During dizziness, it is important to rest to avoid injury and further confusion. Improvement in symptoms should appear after a few days, while complete recovery will follow after a few weeks to a few months. Thus, vestibular neuronitis occurs due to inflammation of the nerve in the inner ear that transmits balance information to the brain. It can also be caused by other viral infections in the body. The main symptom is a sudden attack of dizziness that lasts up to several weeks, and patients recover successfully after several months.