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What Can Be Done For Vestibular Neuritis In Both Ears.
Question: what can be done for vestibular neuritis in both ears. can't focus up close and head hurts inside. I'm 84 and diabetic.
This has been going on for over a year now and not getting any better if not worse. exercises have not helped. Steriods ? Prednisone when given for upper respiratory problem sent my blood sugar to over 600 and ended up in ER
This has been going on for over a year now and not getting any better if not worse. exercises have not helped. Steriods ? Prednisone when given for upper respiratory problem sent my blood sugar to over 600 and ended up in ER
Brief Answer:
Explanations and possible treatments mentioned below
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service.
I understand your frustration with the symptoms of vestibular neuritis lasting so long and being so debilitating. Vestibular neuritis does cause problems with balance and dizziness but the headache is not something that normally happens with vestibular neuritis so you might need to talk to your doctor to have a proper evaluation to find the cause of the headache.
The doctor will have to do a neurological examination and if abnormalities are found an MRI might be indicated. Sometimes some blood tests might be ordered as well.
Steroids can be used to reduce inflammation of the inner ear and reduce dizziness and balance problems but as you are worried about they can affect the sugar unless you decide to use steroids and monitor the sugar quite closely to make sure it does not reach very high values.
Meclizine 50 mg, 2 times a day can be tried as well to reduce the reaction of the inner ear and quiet down the symptoms (this would be tried for dizziness and balance problems, not for the headache).
I hope this answers your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
Explanations and possible treatments mentioned below
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service.
I understand your frustration with the symptoms of vestibular neuritis lasting so long and being so debilitating. Vestibular neuritis does cause problems with balance and dizziness but the headache is not something that normally happens with vestibular neuritis so you might need to talk to your doctor to have a proper evaluation to find the cause of the headache.
The doctor will have to do a neurological examination and if abnormalities are found an MRI might be indicated. Sometimes some blood tests might be ordered as well.
Steroids can be used to reduce inflammation of the inner ear and reduce dizziness and balance problems but as you are worried about they can affect the sugar unless you decide to use steroids and monitor the sugar quite closely to make sure it does not reach very high values.
Meclizine 50 mg, 2 times a day can be tried as well to reduce the reaction of the inner ear and quiet down the symptoms (this would be tried for dizziness and balance problems, not for the headache).
I hope this answers your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you for answering, have had the M
RI and CT scan for diagnosis. Headaches just after reading awhile or on computer.
Will talk to my Dr about smaller doses of steroids.
I have used Meclizine but didn't seem to take care of the problem of not only balance and dizziness but my eyes not focusing up close. Interfering with writing or seeing up close
and the sensation of hurting inside of my head indifferent places, sometimes behind the ears.
RI and CT scan for diagnosis. Headaches just after reading awhile or on computer.
Will talk to my Dr about smaller doses of steroids.
I have used Meclizine but didn't seem to take care of the problem of not only balance and dizziness but my eyes not focusing up close. Interfering with writing or seeing up close
and the sensation of hurting inside of my head indifferent places, sometimes behind the ears.
Brief Answer:
Advises on the headache and the problems with focusing the eyes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
A normal MRI and CT scan rule out brain lesions as the source of the headache.
If your eyes are not focusing you will need to have your eyes checked especially if the headaches are related to reading and after using a computer.
Some blood tests like TSH (to rule out thyroid problems), CBC (to rule out anemia), ERS and metabolic profile might be advisable as a general check.
You may try both meclizine and a small dose of steroid to help with the symptoms.
If the eye examination comes out normal you might need to talk with a physiotherapist and check if the headache comes from the neck muscles and in this case, the physiotherapist might help to relax the muscles and may give some exercises to reduce the muscle tightness that is sometimes the cause of the headaches.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
Advises on the headache and the problems with focusing the eyes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
A normal MRI and CT scan rule out brain lesions as the source of the headache.
If your eyes are not focusing you will need to have your eyes checked especially if the headaches are related to reading and after using a computer.
Some blood tests like TSH (to rule out thyroid problems), CBC (to rule out anemia), ERS and metabolic profile might be advisable as a general check.
You may try both meclizine and a small dose of steroid to help with the symptoms.
If the eye examination comes out normal you might need to talk with a physiotherapist and check if the headache comes from the neck muscles and in this case, the physiotherapist might help to relax the muscles and may give some exercises to reduce the muscle tightness that is sometimes the cause of the headaches.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
I feel the headaches come with eye strain from reading. Will have another eye test in August. Last years test showed nothing wrong with my eyes.
What bothers me most is the pressure inside my head. Feels like it will explode sometimes and hurts in different areas inside. There are no tumors to be seen inside my head. So must be nerves inflamed, after a year ? or nerves crossed ?
What bothers me most is the pressure inside my head. Feels like it will explode sometimes and hurts in different areas inside. There are no tumors to be seen inside my head. So must be nerves inflamed, after a year ? or nerves crossed ?
Brief Answer:
It does not seem to be inflammation of nerves, possible neck problem if the eye exam comes out normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your reply.
Every time there is a factor that might cause headache it is best to investigate that before doing examinations to find other possible causes. It is advisable for you to have the eye check to rule out headache due to eye strain first.
The pressure like the headache is very common and many times it is related to muscles tightening called tension headache. If you rule out the eyes as the cause of the headache the next step is to check your neck as a possible cause.
I do not think the pain is due to inflamed nerves, but sometimes arthritis in the neck can pinch the nerves coming out from the spine and may cause pain and even headaches.
If you have not had a general examination with blood tests in the last year, it might be advisable to have one checking TSH, CBC, ERS, glucose levels, creatinine, electrolytes, liver function (ALT, AST, bilirubin) and lipids, just to make sure you are doing well.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
It does not seem to be inflammation of nerves, possible neck problem if the eye exam comes out normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your reply.
Every time there is a factor that might cause headache it is best to investigate that before doing examinations to find other possible causes. It is advisable for you to have the eye check to rule out headache due to eye strain first.
The pressure like the headache is very common and many times it is related to muscles tightening called tension headache. If you rule out the eyes as the cause of the headache the next step is to check your neck as a possible cause.
I do not think the pain is due to inflamed nerves, but sometimes arthritis in the neck can pinch the nerves coming out from the spine and may cause pain and even headaches.
If you have not had a general examination with blood tests in the last year, it might be advisable to have one checking TSH, CBC, ERS, glucose levels, creatinine, electrolytes, liver function (ALT, AST, bilirubin) and lipids, just to make sure you are doing well.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
I have had all of those tests and I am wondering now maybe a pinched nerve in my neck from diagnosis of spinal stenosis and have had bone spurs removed in neck several years ago.
No surgery since I am diabetic but wondering if massage therapy might help.
No surgery since I am diabetic but wondering if massage therapy might help.
Brief Answer:
Massage therapy can be tried but most recommend physiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Massage therapy can be used to treat pain that comes from the neck but most guidelines recommend physiotherapy as a very effective therapy so I would say that if you can find a good physiotherapist it might be good to try it.
Bone spurs can cause pressure on the nerves coming out and may cause pain and muscle spasms which make pain even worse. helping muscles relax and strengthening them might improve the headache if it is related to the neck.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
Massage therapy can be tried but most recommend physiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Massage therapy can be used to treat pain that comes from the neck but most guidelines recommend physiotherapy as a very effective therapy so I would say that if you can find a good physiotherapist it might be good to try it.
Bone spurs can cause pressure on the nerves coming out and may cause pain and muscle spasms which make pain even worse. helping muscles relax and strengthening them might improve the headache if it is related to the neck.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thank you
Have had several bone spurs removed in the past in the neck area
Have had several bone spurs removed in the past in the neck area
Brief Answer:
It is a pleasure to be able to help you
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is a pleasure to be able to help you. It is good to have a check of your neck, especially because you have had problems in the past.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
It is a pleasure to be able to help you
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is a pleasure to be able to help you. It is good to have a check of your neck, especially because you have had problems in the past.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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