Is otolithiasis serious?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 17, 2024
00:00
00:00

Otolithiasis, also known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), is generally not very serious. Most patients can control and alleviate the condition through timely manual repositioning treatments, but the condition may recur.

A small number of patients have severe conditions where manual repositioning treatments are not effective. For these cases, machine chair repositioning combined with drug treatment can be considered, and most patients can recover.

Only a small number of patients with severe conditions, where repositioning treatments are ineffective and recurring episodes significantly impact daily life, might consider undergoing surgical treatment. Currently, the commonly used technique is semicircular canal occlusion, which generally has good therapeutic effects.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
53sec home-news-image

How is otolithiasis diagnosed?

Otolith disease is a relatively common otolaryngological disorder, clinically known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. In terms of diagnosis, the first step is to observe clinical symptoms. Otolith disease typically manifests as brief episodes of dizziness, lasting about a few seconds, and is clearly related to changes in body or head position. If the head position is stabilized, the symptoms of dizziness usually disappear quickly, and there is no tinnitus or hearing loss. Additional diagnostic tests can also be conducted, such as positional testing or vestibular function tests. During positional testing, a certain position might trigger a brief episode of dizziness, which helps in identifying the specific semicircular canal involved. In terms of treatment, manual repositioning can be considered, and it is generally quite effective for most patients.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
52sec home-news-image

Can otolithiasis heal itself?

Otolithiasis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease, clinically referred to as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This condition is mainly caused by lesions in the inner ear, vestibule, or semicircular canals. Some patients may recover on their own, but regular follow-ups are needed during the recovery period to monitor changes in the condition. If clinical symptoms are severe and recur frequently, it is recommended to actively seek timely treatment. Currently, manual repositioning therapy is commonly used. However, if manual repositioning therapy is not effective for some patients, mechanical chair repositioning may be an option. Additionally, some patients may need to combine treatment with medications. However, a very small number of patients who do not respond to conservative treatment may need to consider surgery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
50sec home-news-image

How to deal with tinnitus caused by otolithiasis?

Otolithiasis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease, with clinical symptoms mainly manifested as vertigo. Some patients may experience nausea and vomiting, but it generally does not lead to tinnitus. There are many causes of tinnitus, with neurological causes being common, and it may also be due to inflammatory responses. Therefore, after the occurrence of otolithiasis accompanied by tinnitus, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist. Tests such as positional experiments, audiometric testing, and endoscopic examination of the ear can help determine the specific cause of the disease and the extent of the condition, after which targeted treatment can be administered. Regular follow-ups are needed during the treatment process to monitor the effects.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
47sec home-news-image

Does otolithiasis require hospitalization?

Most patients with vestibular neuritis do not need hospitalization. Only in cases where the condition is particularly severe and has significantly impacted normal life, is hospitalization considered. The symptoms of vestibular neuritis are generally short-lived, with most patients experiencing transient vertigo related to changes in body position. When the body position is stabilized, the vertigo symptoms quickly alleviate. Therefore, outpatient treatment is generally considered, where a repositioning test can be conducted during the outpatient visit to identify the specific affected semicircular canal. Once identified, targeted manual repositioning treatment can be administered, with regular follow-ups needed to monitor the treatment effects.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
43sec home-news-image

What should I do about otolithiasis?

Ear stone disease, also known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, is a common otolaryngologic condition. The main clinical manifestation is positional vertigo related to changes in body position, which generally lasts for a short duration, about a few seconds. The vertigo symptoms quickly disappear after the head is stabilized, and there are no accompanying symptoms such as tinnitus, headaches, dizziness, or hearing loss. In terms of treatment, manual repositioning is the first choice, and most patients can recover directly after undergoing manual repositioning treatment. A small number of patients may need to consider machine repositioning or oral medication treatment.