Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was diagnosed on Monday with labyrinthitis, a condition of the inner ear that typically causes vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance. The latest diagnosis joins an ever-growing list of health problems for the 79-year-old president, one year from Brazil’s presidential election.
Inflammation in the inner ear triggers labyrinthitis, causing dizziness and unsteadiness, especially when the head moves. The disease is capable of interfering with hearing and balance, significantly hindering daily life.
Recent Hospital Visit Followed by Rest Orders
Lula was taken to a hospital in Brasilia on Monday, where he was seen by physicians after falling ill. Though he returned to the presidential palace thereafter, his doctors advised him to rest and “scrapped part of his agenda,” a presidency official told AFP, speaking anonymously.
This is the latest in a series of health issues for Lula. In 2023, he underwent surgery to have his hip replaced with an artificial joint. He also weathered a fall in the bathroom in 2024 that involved a concussion, stitches, and a cranial hemorrhage that required surgery. Such a fall in 2023 previously raised concerns about his mobility and balance.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a medical condition that creates the false sensation of spinning or movement, either of the person or their surroundings, even when everything is still. It often leads to symptoms like dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, and unsteadiness. An inner ear problem called labyrinthitis, which commonly causes vertigo, has affected Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the inner ear (the labyrinth), impacting hearing and balance. It interferes with the body’s balance signals to the brain, causing vertigo and accompanying symptoms. In Lula’s situation, this diagnosis has led to medical rest and repeated questions about his general health and fitness for re-election in 2026.
History of Health Setbacks Raises Election Questions
Besides these recent shocks, Lula also suffers from a long history of hypertension and overcame throat cancer in 2011 with the help of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. All these notwithstanding, he resumed an intense workload pace and conducted international tours to countries like China, Russia, Vietnam, and Japan.
Despite Lula’s sequence of health problems, now fueling controversy regarding his ability to run for re-election in 2026. The 79-year-old previously served two presidential terms between 2003 and 2010 before reclaiming power in 2023.
With the latest medical diagnosis, the spotlight from the public once again is on the long-serving politician’s longevity as Brazil prepares for yet another watershed election year.
