Creator: Shaun DMello
Keywords: autoimmune inner ear disease, ear diseases, inner ear disease, autoimmune disorders, autoimmune diseases

Written by Shaun DMello, B.A.

Medically Reviewed by dr. simi paknikar, MD

Last Updated on May 05, 2015

Glossary:

Eustachian tube - Tube-like structure that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx.

Cytokines - Cytokines are small protein molecules that are released by cells to bring about communication between cells.

Steroids - Drugs, which suppress inflammation.

Tumor necrosis factors - A group of cytokines that has multiple functions including inflammation.

Vestibular complex - Part of the inner ear that consists of the vestibule and three semicircular canals and is involved in maintenance of balance

Published on Feb 23, 2015
Last Updated on May 05, 2015

Most Popular on Medindia

Drug - Food Interactions

Iron Intake Calculator

Noscaphene (Noscapine)

Ear Pain - Symptom Evaluation

Ear pain is either due to a condition that affects the ear, or is referred from the surrounding areas. Common causes of ear pain include ear infection, trauma or inflammation of the ear.

Ear Blockage / Wax Blockage

Otitis Externa / Swimmer's Ear Infection

Otitis externa, also commonly referred as Swimmer''s Ear, is an inflammatory condition that affects the external ear canal, which is the passage that connects the eardrum to the outer visible ear.

Otosclerosis

Otosclerosis is an abnormal remodeling of bone near the middle ear that can cause hearing impairment. Otosclerosis usually affects the stapes bone, which rests its footplate exactly on the oval shaped membrane that covers the inner ear.