Labyrinthitis

from the physiotherapy team. The Comments, Compliments or Complaints physiotherapist will give you rehabilitation The Patient Relations/Patient Advice and Liaison Service exercises for your specific problem for you to (PALS) Department provides confidential on the spot work through. advice, information and support to patients, relatives,

friends and carers.

If you undertake the exercises and advice Contact Us given, your symptoms should improve considerably. Tel: 01942 822376 (Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm)

Will my Labyrinthitis re-occur? The Patient Relations/PALS Manager Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Labyrinthitis Whilst this is very unlikely, some patients may Royal Albert Edward Infirmary suffer a return of symptoms. Wigan Lane Wigan WN1 2NN This is often triggered by stress, extreme Community Healthcare tiredness and/or following a different illness or Ask 3 Questions period of prolonged inactivity, and may leave you feeling more unsteady. Become more involved in decisions about your healthcare. You may be asked to make choices At such times, it is important that you restart about your treatment. To begin with, try to make sure you any exercises and advice you were previously get the answers to three key questions: given; your symptoms will typically settle again over several weeks. 1. What are my options? 2. What are the pros and cons of each option for me? You do not need to be seen again in the 3. How do I get support to help me make a decision that is right for me? Balance Clinic, although your GP may re-refer you if it is appropriate. Contact information How We Use Your Information

If you require further information, please For details on how we collect, use and store the contact us on the following number: information we hold about you, please take a look at our “how we use your information” leaflet which can be found Telephone number: ………………...... on the Trust website: Author ID: CH http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/patient_information/leaflets Leaflet Number: CM 119 Further information Version: 1 This leaflet is also available in audio, large print, braille Name of Leaflet: Labyrinthitis The following websites may be useful: and other languages upon request. Date Produced: November 2019 www.dizziness-and-balance.com For more information please ask in department/ward. Review Date: November 2021 www.Vestibular.org www.labyrinthitis.org.uk © Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the www.emedicinehealth.com permission of the copyright owner.

What is Labyrinthitis?  Reduced concentration  Repeat this exercise first in sitting and again in standing if possible. Labyrinthitis is a fairly common inner ear  Discomfort in busy places, typically shopping condition, which can cause symptoms of centres  Within a few days/weeks of doing this, aim vertigo. to do the above as you walk forwards and  Increased fatigue, as well as often becoming backwards, whilst still moving your head. Vertigo is the sensation that you or the quite emotional For safety, make sure you are close to a environment around you is moving or spinning.  Difficulty reading, especially computer secure supportive surface. Title Vertigo is commonly caused by a problem with screens. Exercise 2 the way balance works in the inner ear.  Practise standing with your feet together Generally, any associated symptoms will naturally reduce as your balance problem then progress to balancing on one leg, The symptoms of vertigo may come on building up to 20 seconds as you improve. suddenly and may affect your walking or ability improves. However, at times you may need specific help to address these varied problems. When this gets easier, repeat, but challenge to go outside. Generally your symptoms should your balance by closing your eyes. start to improve within a few days. Diagnosis of Labyrinthitis  For safety, make sure you are close to a These symptoms can vary in severity from: Diagnosis is usually made by listening to your secure supportive surface.  Very mild unsteadiness to more violent symptoms. There are many other medical What else can I do? vertigo (spins) conditions which cause vertigo, so you will be asked questions to help exclude them. Go for a walk outside each day and aim to  Dizziness walk further every few days. Whilst initially you  Difficulties with balance and walking Vestibular rehabilitation exercises may feel as if you are staggering, with daily perseverance this will improve gradually over  Nausea and vomiting This is a specific form of physiotherapy which time. may be suggested if your movements are very  Difficulty with vision and occasionally affected. It helps to retrain the brain’s ability to hearing loss may result. adjust the balance problem and is known as Walking every day and doing gentle exercise compensation and adaption. at home will give your balance system a much Occasionally medication can help in the early better chance of improving. You should try to days if you are vomiting or very nauseous, but limit the time you spend resting on the sofa or To enable this to work fully, you will need to be it should not be taken in the long term. bed in the daytime. dedicated to doing exercises regularly through

the day for several months, even though they Whilst many patients are completely free of Physiotherapy may seem to increase your dizziness initially. symptoms within a few weeks, others can have Some patients continue with a milder balance chronic dizziness for many months. Exercise 1 problem several months after onset despite  Place a small target that you can focus on at the above advice. Common complaints eye level. Keep your eyes fixed on this target You may also experience other common whilst you turn your head to the left and right. If you have been seen by the Balance Clinic, you may be referred for some specific input complaints, such as:  Try to build up to repeating for one minute.  Frequent headaches, even migraine