What is Meniere’s Disease?

Ménière’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes severe dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness or congestion in the ear. Ménière’s disease usually affects only one ear.

Attacks of dizziness may come on suddenly or after a short period of tinnitus or muffled hearing. Some people will have single attacks of dizziness separated by long periods of time. Others may experience many attacks closer together over a number of days. Some people with Ménière’s disease have vertigo so extreme that they lose their balance and fall. These episodes are called “drop attacks.”

Ménière’s disease can develop at any age, but it is more likely to happen to adults between 40 and 60 years of age.

The underlying cause of Meniere’s disease is excessive fluid accumulation in the inner ear. The fluid pressure stretches the membranes that divide the compartments of the inner ear. As the membranes of the inner ear stretch, hearing diminishes and tinnitus worsens. When the inner ear membranes are severely stretched, they may rupture, which results in mixing of the fluids and this mixture is thought to bring on the vertigo. After the membranes rupture, they eventually heal, but some hearing is usually lost.

Diagnosing

A thorough examination and other tests may be needed including:

• Audiogram


• Metabolic Laboratory Evaluation


• Electronystagmography, or balance test (ENG),


• MRI and/or CT scan

Treatment

Ménière’s disease does not have a cure yet. Treatment includes modification of personal habits, diet, stress reduction and regular exercise, which are all extremely important in the overall treatment of Meniere's disease. Medications may be recommended by your doctor. The following recommendations can help control the disease by ending or reducing the frequency and severity of attacks:

• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcoholic beverages, salty foods, over fatigue, and loud noise exposure


• Minimize stress


• Daily exercise and adequate rest are helpful


• Medications such as Antivert (Meclizine) may be given by your doctor

Invasive drug therapy and surgery may be recommended for severe and disabling symptoms.