To establish the extent of hearing loss, a doctor will perform an audiogram. Several other diseases and conditions have similar symptoms, which can make it challenging to diagnose Ménière’s disease. However, balance, hearing, and vision problems can continue. Individuals will feel especially unsteady when it is dark. These psychological symptoms can also develop due to Ménière’s disease. The condition is unpredictable and can adversely affect the individual’s ability to work, especially if they have to climb ladders or operate machinery.
Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition that affects the inner ear and can lead to episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. While there is currently no known cure for Meniere’s disease, there are steps that can be taken to manage symptoms and potentially prevent the onset of the condition.
Intratympanic gentamicin (chemical labyrinthectomy—typically 0.5 mL of a 40 mg/mL concentration) is injected through the tympanic membrane. Follow-up with serial audiometry is recommended to check for hearing loss. The injection can be repeated in 4 weeks if vertigo persists without hearing loss. Meniere syndrome refers to the triad of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss not caused by endolymphatic fluid buildup (eg, congenital anomalies).
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. The mechanism by which Meniere’s disease produces vertigo and hearing loss is not understood. Some researchers believe that excess fluid in the inner (or the mixing of different types of fluid) interferes with the transmission of balance and hearing-related nerve signals to the brain. This theory holds that the buildup of fluid is the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Get the care you need from world-class medical providers working with advanced technology. Surgery is usually only a treatment option for Meniere’s disease when all other treatments haven’t worked. According to the Vestibular Disorders Association, Aspirin can worsen the symptoms of tinnitus. At the same time, there are common OTC drugs you should avoid because they interfere with Meniere’s disease.
In severe cases, your doctor may recommend injections of gentamicin into the middle ear. A side effect of gentamicin (a potent intravenous antibiotic) is damage to the balance mechanism inside the ear. By selectively destroying the balance part of the ear, the condition may actually improve. Single to multiple injections may be necessary to damage the inner ear enough to stop the vertigo episodes. 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.
Managing Risk Factors
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Common lifestyle changes include eliminating caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, and salt sometimes combined with behavioral therapies to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Early detection of Meniere’s disease can be challenging to achieve, mainly because the patient may dismiss their symptoms because they’re temporary, intermittent, and/or relatively mild. The symptoms also may be similar to those of other conditions, leading to misdiagnosis. No treatment can prevent the hearing loss that occurs in M’nière’s disease.
One of the key factors in preventing Meniere’s disease is managing underlying health conditions that may contribute to its development. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and allergies have been linked to an increased risk of developing Meniere’s disease. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and keeping these conditions under control, individuals may be able to lower their risk of developing Meniere’s disease.
Avoiding Triggers
Another important aspect of preventing Meniere’s disease is avoiding triggers that can exacerbate symptoms. Common triggers include stress, fatigue, caffeine, alcohol, and certain foods high in salt or sugar. By identifying and avoiding these triggers, individuals with Meniere’s disease may be able to reduce the frequency and severity of their symptoms.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent Meniere’s disease, taking proactive steps to manage risk factors and avoid triggers can help individuals better cope with the condition and potentially minimize its impact on their daily lives.
