Meniere's Disease

Meniere’s Disease, is an abnormality of the inner ear. A variety of symptoms characterize this disorder. While in most cases only one ear is affected, about 15% of patients report having both ears affected. The symptoms of the disorder usually start appearing between 20 and 50 years of age.

The exact causes of Meniere disease are unknown, but experts do know that the symptoms are related to changes in fluid volume in the inner ear; the center of balance of the body is found here. In some people, endolymph, a certain type of fluid, is produced in excess and the area that houses it becomes abnormally dilated and causes balance problems.

There also may be rupturing and release of endolymph; this fluid mixes with other fluid in the inner ear and some doctors believe that it is this mixing that brings on the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. What triggers the dilation is still being researched; there may be both congenital and environmental factors involved. Some patients complain that a head tilt is the Meniere disease triggering factor.

Meniere’s disease is characterized by sudden attacks during which a person feels a spinning sensation; during these attacks, a person may also experience hearing loss, tinnitus and fullness or pain in the ear. Hearing impairment may fluctuate in the early stages of the disease, but a more permanent hearing loss will be seen over time in the majority of cases. The attacks of vertigo are the most troublesome, often causing debilitating Meniere’s disease; some people can’t function properly with Meniere’s disease and a return to work is impossible during periods of severe attacks.

When diagnosing Meniere disease, your specialist in Meniere’s disease will ask you information about your attacks, your hearing loss and the feelings of tinnitus and fullness in your ear that could be related to Meniere disease. The doctor will also ask you about your medical history regarding serious past infections and your general health. You will then be given a series of hearing and balance tests, along with tests to examine inner ear fluid pressure, the functioning of your hearing nerves and an MRI.

Some patients are helped by eating a low salt diet and taking a diuretic, or water pill, to deal with Meniere’s disease, and by drinking lots of water. While this does not constitute Meniere’s disease treatment, it helps to decrease the frequency of attacks. Patients may also take anti-vertigo medications and must avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking and stress. If none of these measures are sufficient to control vertigo attacks and the attacks are particularly disabling, surgery may be recommended.

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