Yellowhammer Times

During her run for a second gold medal in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, British skeleton racer Lizzy Yarnold was almost brought down by an inner ear infection.

Competing professionally since 2010, Yarnold previously won gold in the Olympics 2014 and again in 2018, according to Wikipedia. She is the most successful British Winter Olympian and the most successful skeleton racer of any country.

Shortly after arriving at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, she developed a chest infection, which intensified to the point that she was having trouble speaking and breathing. The Sun reported that her issues were caused by a vestibular disorder affecting the inner ear. She also revealed having trouble breathing in a new, much colder climate during the events and experiencing vertigo and sinus headaches without congestion.

Yarnold tried many home remedies for sinus headaches in an attempt to dull the symptoms of her condition. After falling to third place, she was somehow able to overcome her symptoms enough to take home the winning gold medal in 2018.

Vestibular disorders affecting the inner ear are sometimes referred to as labrynthitis. According to NHS Inform, labrynthitis is caused by inflammation of part of the inner ear known as the "labyrinth." The inflammation comes from an infection, which is usually bacterial or, in some cases, viral.

“A properly functioning eustachian tube can help prevent that buildup and allow things to drain properly,” Dr. Manish Khanna at Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Yellowhammer Times.

According to Mayo Clinic, most bacterial infections clear up within 10 days and are typically caused by a common cold. You should see a sinus inflammation specialist if things do not clear up after several weeks, your symptoms get worse, or you have a history of recurrent or chronic sinusitis and sinus allergies.