Brexit: Ann Widdecombe hits out at EU over 'inevitable' no deal
Ann Widdecombe’s health scare began when she woke up in the middle of the night to find the room spinning violently. The 73-year-old recalled the floor moving but had no idea what was wrong.
“I sat up and thought it would stop but it didn’t. Then I tried to get out of bed and fell over,” she told the Daily Express in 2013.
“I simply couldn’t stand and had completely lost all sense of balance. I assumed I was having a stroke and it was the only time I’ve ever called the doctor out in the middle of the night.”
Widdecombe went on to be diagnosed with viral labyrinthitis – an inner ear infection which affects a person’s balance, sometimes known as vestibular neuritis.
The condition tends to get better by itself within a few weeks.
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But Widdecombe’s recovery took a little longer than a few weeks.
“When I was given the final diagnosis the doctor said I’d be better in 10 days and that I should be able to drive in four weeks although the residual effects might last a bit longer,” she recalled.
“In fact it was more than two months before I dared drive again and five months until the labyrinthitis went away completely.”
The most common symptoms of labyrinthitis are:
- Dizziness or feeling that everything around you is spinning (vertigo)
- Feeling unsteady and off balance – you might find it difficult to stay upright or walk in a straight line
- Feeling or being sick
- Hearing loss
- Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
Symptoms can start suddenly. They may be there when you wake up and get worse as the day goes on.
But symptoms often ease after a few days.
You’ll usually get your balance back over two to six weeks, although it can take longer, like in Widdecombe’s case.
The health body goes on to advise things you can do to help ease symptoms.
These include laying still in a dark room if you feel very dizzy, drinking plenty of water if you’re being sick and trying to avoid noise and bright lights.
Getting enough sleep, starting to go for walks outside as soon as possible, and when you’re out and about, keeping your eyes focused on a fixed object can also help.
You should avoid driving, cycling or use tools or machinery if you feel dizzy.
Also avoid drinking alcohol as it can make symptoms worse.
See your doctors if you have symptoms of labyrinthitis that don’t get better after a few days and if the symptoms of labyrinthitis get worse.
If you’ve been diagnosed with labyrinths and symptoms haven’t improved after another week, again, speak to your GP.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if you have sudden hearing loss in one ear.
You may need to be referred to a specialist for tests and possibly treatment.
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