After feeling unwell at the beginning of the week, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was diagnosed with labyrinthitis. The president’s main symptom was vertigo, which is the sensation that things around are spinning or even that one’s own body is spinning or swaying.
Popularly, vertigo and dizziness are terms used as synonyms. In medicine, however, a bit more caution is needed. According to the Sociedade Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia, doctors from various specialties treat dizziness cases, while the otorhinolaryngologist is recommended for treating labyrinth diseases.
“Unraveling the complaint of dizziness is not always easy. In fact, using the word labyrinthitis is almost always wrong, as there are several different labyrinth diseases. Additionally, the symptom described as dizziness can have other causes, such as cardiac, neurological, vascular, and emotional diseases,” explains the entity.
The most common cause of labyrinth diseases, according to the association, is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (VPPB), which occurs when small crystals located inside the labyrinth—an organ where fluid circulates—become dislodged and move freely.
Fainting and Hearing Losses
Contrary to what many think, labyrinth diseases, in general, do not cause fainting. Most of the time, according to the entity, fainting is associated with neurological or cardiovascular diseases.
Labyrinth diseases, however, can present hearing losses associated with the condition.
“In fact, the labyrinth organ includes our motion sensors, which cause dizziness when diseased, and also the cochlea, responsible for detecting sounds. It is not uncommon for tinnitus and hearing losses to accompany dizziness caused by labyrinth diseases,” clarifies the association.
Diagnosis
The Sociedade Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia highlights that the diagnosis of labyrinth diseases mainly depends on understanding the patient’s symptoms. In some cases, for example, blood tests, labyrinth vestibular tests, auditory tests, and even imaging exams are necessary.
Treatment and Cure
Most labyrinth diseases are curable and all, without exception, have treatment that enables, at least, control of the signs and symptoms.
“This will depend on the cause of the disease. That’s why its investigation is so important,” reinforced the entity.
The association also warns that various medications can cause dizziness as a side effect, while some specific remedies can affect the labyrinth.
Care
Regarding care for patients with labyrinth diseases, the entity highlights that it is important to know which labyrinth disease is being treated so that the recommendations are effective.
“Generalizing recommendations may not be as effective. Physical exercises, however, in general, tend to improve balance and accelerate patient recovery even further.”
Regarding specific diets for patients with labyrinth diseases, again, the association emphasizes that each case has its own particularities.
“That’s why the correct diagnosis of the disease is so important. There are cases where diet makes no difference in symptom presentation, but there are others where treatment is based on diet.”
Source: Agência Brasil