This test is not necessary to diagnose MD but may help find a different cause to the vertigo. The vestibular system includes the inner ear, eyes, and nerves connected to the brain that help us with balance, coordination, and posture. When you have vertigo, you feel like you are spinning or moving when you are still. It is caused when your vestibular system is not working correctly. Vertigo can also be caused by other issues such as headaches. As the disease progresses and increases in severity, something strange happens.
But it isn’t clear what causes this fluid to build up in the inner ear. Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about treating this condition. Therefore, it is crucial for your brain to receive information from both your vestibular and visual systems, in order for you to feel balanced and stable.
Meniere’s Disease is a chronic condition that affects the inner ear and can lead to a variety of symptoms, including vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness. While many people are familiar with the first three symptoms, *ear fullness* can be a bit more difficult to understand.
You’re likely to first see your family healthcare provider. Your primary care provider might refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, a hearing specialist (audiologist), or a nervous system specialist (neurologist). Between vertigo attacks, balance returns to normal for most people with Meniere’s disease. Meniere’s disease can have similar symptoms that are similar to other illnesses.
Doctors theorize that this is the stage at which permanent hearing damage begins to develop. During stage two, you may also notice your coordination growing increasingly impaired. Your tinnitus may become increasingly difficult to ignore, as well. After a vertigo attack, symptoms get better and might go away for a while. Over time, how many vertigo attacks you have may lessen. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, speak with your eye doctor about the benefits of vision therapy.
What is Ear Fullness?
To “cure” a disease means to eliminate the root cause of the disease and reverse the damage it has inflicted (on the inner ear, in this case). Keeping a journal of symptoms can help your health care provider make the right diagnosis. Healthcare providers may recommend cognitive therapy to help people cope with the stress, anxiety and depression Ménière’s disease may cause. In 1861, Doctor Prosper Meniere discovered a new inner ear condition. He noted an abnormal volume of fluid in the inner ear of sufferers, causing a range of symptoms that the medical community at the time believed to be connected to a brain disorder. Some doctors will perform a hearing test to establish the extent of hearing loss caused by Ménière’s disease.
In the early stages of the illness, you may experience hearing loss, vertigo, and dizziness of varying severity. Some people may also notice a sort of ‘aura’ before they suffer an attack, which may include vertigo, migraine, sound sensitivity, tinnitus, increased pressure in the ears, and hearing impairment. 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. Meniere’s disease is caused by a buildup of fluid in the inner ear.
Ear fullness in Meniere’s Disease is often described as a sensation of pressure or fullness in the affected ear. It can feel like your ear is blocked or clogged, similar to the feeling you might experience when flying in an airplane or driving up a steep mountain. This sensation is caused by a buildup of fluid in the inner ear, which can disrupt the balance and hearing mechanisms of the ear.
Causes of Ear Fullness in Meniere’s Disease
The exact cause of ear fullness in Meniere’s Disease is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to changes in fluid volume and pressure within the inner ear. The inner ear contains structures responsible for maintaining balance and hearing, and when there is an imbalance in fluid levels, it can lead to symptoms like ear fullness.
It is important to note that ear fullness in Meniere’s Disease is typically episodic, meaning that it may come and go over time. Some people may experience it along with other symptoms, while others may only have ear fullness without other accompanying symptoms.
Treatment for Ear Fullness in Meniere’s Disease
Treatment for ear fullness in Meniere’s Disease focuses on managing the underlying condition and alleviating symptoms. This may include dietary changes, medications to reduce fluid retention, vestibular rehabilitation exercises, and in severe cases, surgical interventions.
If you are experiencing ear fullness or any other symptoms of Meniere’s Disease, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. By working closely with your healthcare team, you can manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life despite living with Meniere’s Disease.
