Meniere’s disease is a condition that affects the inner ear, causing symptoms such as vertigo, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears. While the exact cause of Meniere’s disease is still unknown, some researchers believe that jaw issues may play a role in the development of this condition.
This creates pressure in the parts of your inner ear that control balance. Or maybe the fluid doesn’t drain as it should from the inner ear. Meniere’s disease most often affects only one ear and often individuals will perceive a change in hearing, increased pressure in the ear, or tinnitus in one of their ears prior to an episode of vertigo. Due to the prolonged nature of the vertigo it is also not unusual to have significant nausea, sweating and vomiting with an episode. Unfortunately, there is no known way to prevent the natural progression of hearing loss.
For questions not related to physical activity, please use the General Feedback tab. To submit your question about physical activity, please complete the form below. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The disease usually occurs in people ages 40 to 60, but anyone can have it.
The Connection Between Jaw Issues and Meniere’s Disease
In interviews, female patients said they felt patronized or trivialized by male health care providers at some point in their TMJ treatment, if not throughout. Some said they felt blamed for their own pain because they were viewed as too stressed and clenching their jaw too much. If you experience multiple episodes of vertigo, it’s time to find the explanation. TMJ is a widespread condition that often results in vertigo, tinnitus, and other ear-related symptoms. Dr. Stafford also utilizes advanced technology to measure the tension of your jaw muscles to see if they experience excessive stress. Computerized jaw tracking and measurement of jaw joint sounds help diagnose TMJ and determine what type or types you might have.
Additional imaging using a CT scan and/or MRI provides detailed images to improve diagnostic accuracy further. TMJ is an umbrella term for jaw disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint or joints. The temporomandibular joint is between the temporal bone of your skull and the mandible, or jaw bone.
The simultaneous combination of fluctuating low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss, episodic vertigo, ipsilateral fluctuating aural fullness, and tinnitus is characteristic. Read more , viral labyrinthitis, a cerebellopontine angle tumor (eg, vestibular schwannoma Vestibular Schwannoma A vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) is a Schwann cell–derived tumor of the 8th cranial nerve. Although bilateral Meniere disease can occur, bilateral symptoms increase the likelihood of an alternate diagnosis (eg, vestibular migraine). Vestibular migraine (also known as migrainous vertigo) is characterized by episodes of vertigo in patients who have a history of migraines Migraine Migraine is an episodic primary headache disorder. Pain is often unilateral, throbbing, worse with exertion, and accompanied by symptoms…
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. Some treatments can help lessen how bad vertigo attacks are and how long they last. Your healthcare provider may be able to suggest treatments that prevent your hearing loss from getting worse. Although more invasive, endolymphatic sac decompression relieves vertigo in most patients, spares vestibular function, and poses minimal risk of hearing loss. Thus this procedure is still classified as a vestibular-sparing treatment.
Some studies have suggested that there may be a link between jaw issues, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and Meniere’s disease. The theory is that problems with the jaw joint can lead to changes in the pressure within the inner ear, which in turn can trigger the symptoms of Meniere’s disease.
It is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between jaw issues and Meniere’s disease. However, some patients with Meniere’s disease have reported improvements in their symptoms after receiving treatment for TMJ dysfunction.
Your Thoughts on the Matter
What are your thoughts on the potential connection between jaw issues and Meniere’s disease? Do you believe that addressing jaw problems could help alleviate the symptoms of Meniere’s disease? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
