Vestibular Neuritis
Complete guide to understanding and treating vestibular neuritis
Free • 1 minute • Works for 85% of people
Quick Facts
- Third most common cause of peripheral vertigo
- 85% resolve within one year
- 15% risk of developing BPPV
You've got this.
In 2 minutes, you'll know if these exercises can help. No experience needed.
Try a 2-min exerciseFeeling awful right now?
This is temporary and treatable. The worst part usually passes within a day or two.
What to do right now:
- 1Lie down in a dark, quiet room
- 2Keep your head still — movement makes it worse
- 3Sip water slowly to stay hydrated
- 4Take slow, deep breaths to reduce nausea
- 5Have someone stay with you if possible
This usually peaks within 24-48 hours, then steadily improves.
Quick Summary
- Your balance nerve is inflamed — usually from a virus
- The intense spinning peaks in 24-48 hours, then steadily improves
- Most people recover fully with proper treatment and exercises
85% of people with vestibular neuritis recover completely within one year.
Common Questions
Questions we hear from people just like you
Yes. 85% of people with vestibular neuritis make a full recovery. Your brain is remarkably good at compensating for vestibular damage. The exercises we recommend help speed up this natural healing process.
Recommended Exercises
View all →Vestibular Adaptation Training
Advanced vestibular training program combining progressive challenges to improve balance, gaze stability, and vestibular system adaptation through evidence-based exercises.
Basic VOR Exercise
Learn the fundamental Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) exercise to improve gaze stability and reduce dizziness. Perfect for vestibular hypofunction and neuritis recovery.
Gaze Stabilization Exercise
Master fundamental gaze stabilization exercises to maintain clear vision during movement. Evidence-based techniques for reducing dizziness and improving visual stability in daily activities.
Ready when you are
When you're feeling a bit steadier, specific exercises can help your brain adapt and reduce your symptoms. We'll guide you through them step by step — no experience needed.
Start exercisesIf the room won’t stop spinning, you’re not alone — and this is treatable. Vestibular neuritis is sudden inflammation of your balance nerve, usually triggered by a virus. While it feels terrifying, most people recover fully. The worst of it typically passes within a day or two.
Key Symptoms & Signs
Primary Symptoms
- •Sudden severe vertigo lasting days
- •Constant dizziness worsened by movement
- •Nausea and vomiting
- •Difficulty maintaining balance
- •Horizontal nystagmus
Associated Features
- •No hearing loss (unlike labyrinthitis)
- •Symptoms worsen with head movement
- •Tendency to fall toward affected side
- •Normal neurological exam
- •May follow viral illness
Clinical Presentation
Typical Features
Presents with sudden onset of continuous vertigo lasting several days.
- •Develops over several hours
- •Peaks within 24-48 hours
- •Continuous (not episodic)
- •No hearing symptoms
Distinguishing Signs
Key examination findings help differentiate from central causes.
- •Positive head impulse test
- •Unidirectional nystagmus
- •No skew deviation
- •Normal neurological exam
Treatment Phases
Acute Phase (First 3 Days)
- •Vestibular suppressant medications
- •Antiemetics for nausea
- •Short-term activity modification
- •Begin gentle head movements when tolerated
Early Recovery (Days 4-14)
- •Start vestibular training exercises
- •Gaze stabilization exercises
- •Gradual increase in activity
- •Balance training introduction
Recovery Phase (2-8 weeks)
- •Advanced balance exercises
- •Return to normal activities
- •Continuing vestibular exercises
- •Monitoring for complications
Recovery Timeline
Days 1-3
Acute phase with severe symptoms
- •Severe vertigo
- •Need for medication support
- •Limited activity
- •Begin gentle movements
Week 1-2
Initial improvement phase
- •Decreasing vertigo intensity
- •Starting exercises
- •Improved balance
- •Reduced medication needs
Weeks 2-8
Recovery phase
- •Progressive improvement
- •Increasing activity levels
- •Continuing exercises
- •Return to normal activities
2-6 months
Long-term recovery
- •Complete resolution in most cases
- •Possible residual symptoms
- •Monitoring for BPPV
- •Prevention strategies
Important Statistics
Prevention and Management
Early Treatment
Starting appropriate treatment promptly improves outcomes
Exercise Compliance
Regular vestibular exercises aid recovery
Activity Modification
Gradual return to activities helps prevent complications
Monitoring
Watch for signs of complications
Care Team
Primary Care Physician
Areas of Expertise:
- •Initial evaluation
- •Diagnosis
- •Treatment coordination
Vestibular Therapist
Areas of Expertise:
- •Specialized exercises
- •Balance training
- •Recovery monitoring
ENT Specialist
Areas of Expertise:
- •Detailed vestibular testing
- •Complex cases
- •Treatment resistant cases
Struggling to stay consistent?
We'll send you a gentle reminder each week with exercises for vestibular neuritis — just enough to keep you on track.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
If the room won’t stop spinning, you’re not alone — and this is treatable. Vestibular neuritis is sudden inflammation of your balance nerve, usually triggered by a virus. While it feels terrifying, most people recover fully. The worst of it typically passes within a day or two.
Key Symptoms & Signs
Primary Symptoms
- •Sudden severe vertigo lasting days
- •Constant dizziness worsened by movement
- •Nausea and vomiting
- •Difficulty maintaining balance
- •Horizontal nystagmus
Associated Features
- •No hearing loss (unlike labyrinthitis)
- •Symptoms worsen with head movement
- •Tendency to fall toward affected side
- •Normal neurological exam
- •May follow viral illness
Clinical Presentation
Typical Features
Presents with sudden onset of continuous vertigo lasting several days.
- •Develops over several hours
- •Peaks within 24-48 hours
- •Continuous (not episodic)
- •No hearing symptoms
Distinguishing Signs
Key examination findings help differentiate from central causes.
- •Positive head impulse test
- •Unidirectional nystagmus
- •No skew deviation
- •Normal neurological exam
Treatment Phases
Acute Phase (First 3 Days)
- •Vestibular suppressant medications
- •Antiemetics for nausea
- •Short-term activity modification
- •Begin gentle head movements when tolerated
Early Recovery (Days 4-14)
- •Start vestibular training exercises
- •Gaze stabilization exercises
- •Gradual increase in activity
- •Balance training introduction
Recovery Phase (2-8 weeks)
- •Advanced balance exercises
- •Return to normal activities
- •Continuing vestibular exercises
- •Monitoring for complications
Recovery Timeline
Days 1-3
Acute phase with severe symptoms
- •Severe vertigo
- •Need for medication support
- •Limited activity
- •Begin gentle movements
Week 1-2
Initial improvement phase
- •Decreasing vertigo intensity
- •Starting exercises
- •Improved balance
- •Reduced medication needs
Weeks 2-8
Recovery phase
- •Progressive improvement
- •Increasing activity levels
- •Continuing exercises
- •Return to normal activities
2-6 months
Long-term recovery
- •Complete resolution in most cases
- •Possible residual symptoms
- •Monitoring for BPPV
- •Prevention strategies
Important Statistics
Prevention and Management
Early Treatment
Starting appropriate treatment promptly improves outcomes
Exercise Compliance
Regular vestibular exercises aid recovery
Activity Modification
Gradual return to activities helps prevent complications
Monitoring
Watch for signs of complications
Care Team
Primary Care Physician
Areas of Expertise:
- •Initial evaluation
- •Diagnosis
- •Treatment coordination
Vestibular Therapist
Areas of Expertise:
- •Specialized exercises
- •Balance training
- •Recovery monitoring
ENT Specialist
Areas of Expertise:
- •Detailed vestibular testing
- •Complex cases
- •Treatment resistant cases
Struggling to stay consistent?
We'll send you a gentle reminder each week with exercises for vestibular neuritis — just enough to keep you on track.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.