A person’s sense of balance may seem to resolve between episodes of vertigo. In a person with Méniére’s disease, levels of hearing loss may fluctuate, especially early on in the disease’s progression. Ménière’s disease may go away for months or years, but it always comes back. Healthcare providers have medication and other treatments that reduce vertigo symptoms, but Ménière’s disease is a chronic illness that never really goes away. No, but if you have Ménière’s disease, you can reduce your risk the disease will worsen. Contact your healthcare provider if you suddenly develop dizzy spells that may be vertigo.
They can occur with the frequency of many attacks each week; or they can be separated by weeks, months, and even years. The unpredictable nature of this disease makes managing it challenging. It also complicates the ability of scientists and physicians to study it. Common symptoms of a Ménière’s disease attack do not reflect the entire picture of the disorder, because symptoms vary before, during, between, and after attacks, and also during the late-stage of Ménière’s disease.
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. All reviewers contributed to the study design and other components together.
The procedures aim to reduce fluid pressure in the inner ear or destroy inner ear structures responsible for balance function. The least destructive of these procedures is called endolymphatic sac decompression. (The endolymphatic sac holds the fluid that surrounds the hair cells in the inner ear.) In this procedure, a surgeon makes an incision behind the ear and removes the bone over the endolymphatic sac so that it can be seen. A blade or laser is used to make a hole in the sac, thus allowing the fluid to drain.
Meniere’s disease is a chronic inner ear disorder that causes vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. While the exact cause of Meniere’s is still unknown, researchers have been exploring the possibility of a viral connection.
The Viral Hypothesis
In the Halmagyi maneuver, the examiner has the patient visually fixate on a target straight ahead (eg, the examiner’s nose). Then while observing the patient’s eyes, the examiner rapidly rotates the patient’s head 15 to 30° to one sides. Subjective tinnitus is perception of sound in the absence of an acoustic stimulus and is heard only by the… Read more in the affected ear may be constant or intermittent buzzing, ringing, roaring, whistling, or hissing; it is not related to position or motion. His other supplements do not target the virus itself, but instead focus on improving blood flow & the immune system. Stuff like lemon bioflavonoid, Ginkgo biloba Extract & MSM can’t hurt as they likely increase blood flow in the inner ear.
The viral hypothesis suggests that Meniere’s disease may be caused by a viral infection in the inner ear. One virus that has been specifically linked to Meniere’s is the herpes virus. It is believed that the herpes virus may lie dormant in the inner ear and be triggered by certain factors, leading to the symptoms of Meniere’s.
Inside their walls (bony labyrinth) are thin, pliable tubes and sacs (membranous labyrinth) filled with endolymph. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that’s changing medicine. When the head is rotated to one side, vestibular function on that side is normal if the patient’s eyes remain fixated on the target. The Halmagyi head thrust maneuver, or head impulse test, is another technique that is used to check for unilateral labyrinthine dysfunction.
Evidence Supporting the Viral Hypothesis
- Studies have shown that patients with Meniere’s disease have elevated levels of antibodies to the herpes virus in their inner ear fluid.
- Some patients have reported experiencing Meniere’s symptoms during or after a herpes outbreak.
- Antiviral medications have shown some promise in treating Meniere’s symptoms in certain cases.
Frequently Asked Questions about Meniere’s and the Viral Hypothesis
- Can Meniere’s be cured if it is caused by a herpes virus?
- How can I find out if my Meniere’s is caused by a herpes virus?
While there is no cure for Meniere’s disease, antiviral medications may help alleviate symptoms in some patients.
Your healthcare provider can order tests to check for elevated levels of antibodies to the herpes virus in your inner ear fluid.
In conclusion, while the viral hypothesis regarding Meniere’s disease is still being researched, there is growing evidence to suggest a potential link between the herpes virus and this debilitating condition. Further studies are needed to fully understand the connection and develop more targeted treatments for those suffering from Meniere’s.
