Health  

Advertisement

Ear health explained

Infection of the inner ear (labyrinthitis) is usually due to a virus and may accompany illnesses such as influenza, measles and mumps. Symptoms include severe dizziness (vertigo), nausea, vomiting, noises in the ear (tinnitus) and loss of hearing. It is usually diagnosed on the basis of the symptoms and examination. The viral infection usually improves on its own, but anti-nausea tablets or injections are essential to control the unpleasant symptoms. Recurrent symptoms can be a sign of Meniere's disease, a disorder affecting the inner ear, whose symptoms can include vertigo, tinnitus and reduced hearing. It occurs when excess fluid builds up in the balance organ of the inner ear (membranous labyrinth) and is most common in people over the age of 50 years. If symptoms are prolonged or recurrent, it is important to ask for referral to a specialist.

Delicious     Digg     reddit     Facebook     StumbleUpon

  Get the latest iVillage news on your desktop    Sign up for more iVillage RSS feeds

© iVillage Limited 2000-2008. All rights reserved. | © iVillage inc. 1995-2008. All rights reserved.
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB