Because Ménière’s disease appears to run in families, it could also be the result of genetic variations that cause abnormalities in the volume or regulation of endolymph fluid. In some individuals ‘end stage’ (stage 3) Ménière’s can result in a severe to profound hearing loss. Bilateral Ménière’s is reported in 17% to 50% of affected individuals and can be a cause of bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. Vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss are extremely common and can be caused by serious or life-threatening pathology.
Your vestibular labyrinth sort of acts like a biological accelerometer in your ear. It helps you balance as you move around and tells you where your body and head are in space. Again, when you have extra fluid built up, the signals may be scrambled, causing trouble with your sense of balance. It’s called Meniere’s disease after Prosper Ménière, a French doctor. In the 1860s, he suggested that the symptoms were caused by problems in the inner ear and not the brain as most people believed at the time. Basura says that most people who are diagnosed with the disease are between the ages of 40 and 60 but that symptoms can appear at any point.
For now it is considered to be a feature of MD but not necessarily the cause. During these episodes, there will be some loss of hearing, which typically returns to normal once vertigo subsides. The ear may feel uncomfortable and blocked and have a sense of fullness or pressure. Tinnitus is also common in early stage Ménière’s disease.
For patients with no hearing remaining in an affected ear, a last resort is often a transmastoid labyrinthectomy — a surgical procedure to “literally drill out the inner ear,” according to Basura. Patients requiring this level of treatment need postsurgical physical therapy to train their brains to compensate for the loss of balance perception within the ear. Healthcare providers know Ménière’s disease symptoms happen when endolymph, a fluid in your inner ear, builds up and disrupts the delicate process your body uses to manage balance and hearing. A full otologic history is crucial to the clinical investigation for any hearing- or balance-related complaint. Family history of hearing and balance problems should also be elicited. The first and simplest recommendations to treat MD include lifestyle & dietary changes.
Healthcare providers may recommend cognitive therapy to help people cope with the stress, anxiety and depression Ménière’s disease may cause. Some people have a family history of Ménière’s disease, which means people may inherit the condition. Talk to people who have Meniere’s disease, such as in a support group. Group members can give information, resources, support and coping tips.
Ménière’s disease (MD) is a disorder of the inner ear that causes problems with your hearing and balance. Symptoms include vertigo (dizzy spells), tinnitus (a constant noise in one ear, often described as a buzzing or humming sound), pressure in the ear (aural fullness), and low frequency hearing loss. Some people may experience tinnitus or an increase in tinnitus in the affected ear. The fullness in the ear and tinnitus may precede the attacks of vertigo, but they will often occur without warning. In between the attacks the hearing and sensation in the ear return to normal.
Treatments in development center on individualized gene therapy. “We’re getting more sophisticated with our genetic analysis and our understanding of disease and inner ear stuff, so I think I’m optimistic,” Basura says. Medications can be used during an attack to reduce the vertigo, nausea/vomiting or both. Oncoming attacks are often preceded by an “aura,” or the specific set of warning symptoms, listed below. Paying attention to these warning symptoms can allow a person to move to a safe or more comfortable situation before an attack.
Meniere’s disease is a chronic disorder of the inner ear that can cause a variety of symptoms, including vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. While there is no cure for Meniere’s disease, there are treatments available to help manage and alleviate its symptoms.
Treatment Options
There are several treatment options available for individuals with Meniere’s disease. These can include medications to help control vertigo and nausea, dietary changes to reduce fluid retention in the inner ear, and physical therapy exercises to improve balance and reduce dizziness.
In some cases, more invasive treatments may be recommended, such as injections of medication directly into the middle ear or surgery to relieve pressure in the inner ear. However, these options are typically only considered when other treatments have been unsuccessful.
Managing Symptoms
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating Meniere’s disease, many individuals are able to effectively manage their symptoms with a combination of lifestyle changes and medical interventions. By working closely with a healthcare provider, individuals with Meniere’s disease can develop a personalized treatment plan that helps them lead a full and active life despite their condition.
