Vestibulopathy Patient Leaflet - Vestibular Neuritis, Labyrinthitis, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Sep 5, 2026

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Vestibulopathy is a condition affecting the inner ear and balance organs, disrupting how balance systems work together to maintain steady posture and clear vision during movement. Common symptoms include vertigo, nausea and vomiting, decreased balance, difficulty walking in busy environments, blurred “bobbing” vision, and possible hearing loss when the cochlea is involved. Recovery often relies on natural compensation through staying as active as possible, with vestibular rehabilitation helping those whose symptoms persist.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

What is a Vestibulopathy?

Causes of a Vestibulopathy

Common Symptoms

Treatment for Vestibulopathy

What to Expect from Physiotherapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibulopathy This leaflet contains information about a condition called Vestibulopathy. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your GP or healthcare professional. What is a Vestibulopathy? A Vestibulopathy is a condition that affects your inner ear and balance organs. There are different types of vestibulopathy, for example, a Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis. Your inner ear contains the vestibular system, a complex organ that works together with your eyes, muscles and sensation in your lower limbs to keep you balanced and your vision clear when you move. If one of those systems isn’t working properly it can cause problems with your balance. A vestibulopathy can lead to under working of the balance organson one or both sides. There are 2 balance organs (one in each ear) and they normally work together. When one fails to work properly it can lead to a variety of symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and imbalance. What are the causes of a Vestibulopathy? A vestibulopathy can be caused by a number of things: • A viral infection of the inner ear. This usually comes on very suddenly and the acute symptoms can last for a few days or weeks. As the brain gradually adjusts the symptoms start to get better. However, some people can experience symptoms for a longer period of time and need vestibular physiotherapy to fully recover. • Occasionally a restriction to the normal flow of blood to the inner ear can cause damage. • Some drugs can affect the working of the balance system and can cause a weakness on one or both sides. • Other vestibular or neurological conditions can affect the function of the balance organs e.g. MS or Stroke. A specialist Vestibular Rehabilitation Physiotherapist will be able to refer you back to your GP or a specialist doctor if you have any symptoms that are unusual for avestibulopathy. What are the common symptoms? • Vertigo: The main symptom is usually vertigo, dizziness or spinning sensation. At the start it may be severe enough to cause nausea and vomiting and will be constant. As time passes the dizziness will reduce and is likely to be present only with head movements or when moving around. • Nausea and vomiting. This usually happens at the start of your symptoms but the nausea can persist and is usually related to movement of the head. • Decreased balance. Initially balance can be severely affected and you may have problems walking unaided. Asthe body begins to recover you may notice you feel slightly off balance walking around or when moving your head. • Walking and balance: You may notice some difficulties with walking especially when outside or in busy environments. This may cause you to veer sideways or lose balance with quick head or body movements. • Blurry vision: You may experience blurred vision or‘bobbing’ vision when turning your head quickly or moving fast. Others can describe a “catch up feeling” as their vision catches up to their head movement. • Hearing loss: If the hearing organ, the cochlea, is involved hearing may be reduced and you may notice you have trouble hearing conversations in busy places of have to turn up the volume on the television. What is the treatment for Vestibulopathy? In the early days when your symptoms are very severe, your GP may prescribe some medication to suppress the vestibular system and reduce nausea. However, beyond this very early stage, medication has limited benefit and may actually prolong the recovery if used for longer. It is beneficial to avoid steroid use in the first 48 hours of your symptoms as this can delay recovery. The brain will recognise there is an imbalance in the system and will make adjustments for it over time and so the symptoms improve. This is a process called compensation and is most likely to occur if you keep as active as possible despite feeling dizzy. Unfortunately some people fail to compensate and their symptoms persist. This is when Vesti

FAQs

What causes vestibulopathy?

Vestibulopathy can be caused by viral infection of the inner ear, reduced blood flow to the inner ear, certain drugs affecting balance, or other vestibular/neurological conditions such as MS or stroke.

What symptoms are commonly associated with vestibulopathy?

Common symptoms include vertigo (spinning sensation), nausea and vomiting, decreased balance, walking and balance difficulties, blurred or “bobbing” vision with fast head turns, and possible hearing reduction.

How does treatment work and what should I expect from vestibular rehabilitation?

In the early severe stage, medication may help reduce nausea, but it has limited longer-term benefit. Many people improve through brain compensation while staying active; if symptoms persist, vestibular rehabilitation uses targeted exercises to speed compensation. Therapy may temporarily increase symptoms, which should not be severe, prolonged, or disabling.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Jake