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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Labyrinthitis Worsen With Altitude To Cause Severe Dizziness And Nausea?

I was just diagnosed with labyrinthitis and I have experienced that when I travel to our mountain vacation home (at 7000 ft, by car) I get very dizzy, lightheaded, and naseous. For the first 20 minutes or so it is hard to get my footing. Is the labyrinthitis being exacerbated by the altitude or could I just be experiencing altitude sickness...which I never experienced before.
Thu, 4 Sep 2014
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ENT Specialist 's  Response
Hi. Yes, it is quite possible that your labrynthitis worsens due to altitude as high as 7000 feet (5000 to 11000 feet is high altitude). This can be multifactorial so it is hard to pinpoint what could be the exact cause for this. It is still a topic very much under research.

Hypoxia can reduce the oxygen reaching the Labyrinth and can trigger an inflammatory response. If the labyrinth is hypersensitive then small triggers can cause labrynthitis. Pressure changes due to altitude can also trigger a similar response. It is also common for viruses to be opportunistic in colder environments and they can travel from nasal secretions through the eustachian tube into the middle ear and then via the round window into the inner ear. Altitude sickness also leads to hypoxia that can explain the lightheadedness and nausea and trigger a labrynthitis as well. Altitude sickness is predominantly associated with breathlessness on exertion, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, drowsiness, mild dizziness and fatigue.

The best treatment for an active episode is to decelerate to a lower altitude till symptoms disappear. Labyrinthine sedatives may also help either during an episode or if taken prophylactically. However these must be prescribed only after an ENT evaluation which involves general examination, otoendoscopy, pure tone audiometry, caloric test (to assess labyrinthine sensitivity) and basic lung function tests by a pulmonologist to ensure lungs are normal.
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ENT Specialist Dr. Satvinder Bakshi's  Response
Hello

It is more likely that you are having labrynthitis which is getting exacerbated by the altitude. It is advisable not to travel during labrynthitis as it will only worsen your symptoms. There are many medicines available and most of the will make you drowsy , hence try to avoid traveling. Please meet your doctor for further advice.
thanks
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Can Labyrinthitis Worsen With Altitude To Cause Severe Dizziness And Nausea?

Hi. Yes, it is quite possible that your labrynthitis worsens due to altitude as high as 7000 feet (5000 to 11000 feet is high altitude). This can be multifactorial so it is hard to pinpoint what could be the exact cause for this. It is still a topic very much under research. Hypoxia can reduce the oxygen reaching the Labyrinth and can trigger an inflammatory response. If the labyrinth is hypersensitive then small triggers can cause labrynthitis. Pressure changes due to altitude can also trigger a similar response. It is also common for viruses to be opportunistic in colder environments and they can travel from nasal secretions through the eustachian tube into the middle ear and then via the round window into the inner ear. Altitude sickness also leads to hypoxia that can explain the lightheadedness and nausea and trigger a labrynthitis as well. Altitude sickness is predominantly associated with breathlessness on exertion, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, drowsiness, mild dizziness and fatigue. The best treatment for an active episode is to decelerate to a lower altitude till symptoms disappear. Labyrinthine sedatives may also help either during an episode or if taken prophylactically. However these must be prescribed only after an ENT evaluation which involves general examination, otoendoscopy, pure tone audiometry, caloric test (to assess labyrinthine sensitivity) and basic lung function tests by a pulmonologist to ensure lungs are normal.