Meniere’s disease is a chronic disorder of the inner ear that can cause vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. It is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed due to its overlapping symptoms with other conditions.
In most people, spontaneous remission is common, although it can take years. Your doctor can help find a treatment that’s right for you. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help with the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. Medicines for motion sickness can ease symptoms of vertigo, nausea, and vomiting. If nausea and vomiting becomes an issue, your doctor may prescribe an antiemetic, or anti-nausea medication. However, there are a range of treatments that can help with your symptoms, from medication to surgery for the most severe cases.
However, a small group of people with Ménière’s disease will get relief only by undergoing surgery. Ménière’s disease does not have a cure yet, but your doctor might recommend some of the treatments below to help you cope with the condition. The high rate of misdiagnosis among patients with vestibular problems, causing unnecessary suffering and a waste of healthcare resources, was highlighted again in another analysis undertaken (Jin et al. 2012). Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call with an experienced Team Member.
Is Meniere’s Disease the Same as Vertigo?
While vertigo is one of the main symptoms of Meniere’s disease, they are not the same thing. Meniere’s disease is a specific condition that causes repeated episodes of vertigo, while vertigo itself is a symptom that can be caused by various underlying issues.
These conditions may be due to breaks in the membrane separating endolymph from the other inner ear fluid, perilymph. Some people with Ménière’s disease find that certain events and situations, sometimes called triggers, can set off attacks. These triggers include stress, overwork, fatigue, emotional distress, additional illnesses, pressure changes, certain foods, and too much salt in the diet. Although this fluid buildup causes the symptoms of Meniere’s disease, it also happens in people with other disorders, such as idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss. So, your doctor will have to test you for many different conditions before they can confirm that you have Meniere’s disease.
How is Meniere’s Disease Rated as Vertigo?
These are some of the main things in your everyday life that can set off a vertigo attack. Experts recommend that you add foods high in potassium to your diet. Foods high in potassium can help you reduce the amount of fluid built up in your body. Try substituting foods high in sodium for foods high in potassium, such as baked potatoes, spinach, squash, tomatoes, and beans.
When it comes to rating disabilities for Meniere’s disease, the focus is on the impact of the vertigo episodes on a person’s daily life. The severity and frequency of vertigo attacks, along with the resulting functional limitations, will determine the rating assigned by medical professionals.
The exact cause of Ménière’s disease and its symptoms are not yet known. It may start with fluctuating hearing loss, eventually progressing to attacks of vertigo and dizziness. However, medical treatments exist that can help manage it. Left untreated, Ménière’s disease symptoms get worse over time and may cause permanent hearing loss and ongoing balance problems. Healthcare providers typically treat Ménière’s disease with medication that eases symptoms.
- Symptoms: Severe vertigo with nausea and vomiting
- Frequency: Frequent episodes of vertigo leading to disability
- Functional Limitations: Difficulty performing daily tasks due to vertigo attacks
Frequently Asked Questions about Meniere’s Disease and Vertigo:
- Can Meniere’s disease be cured?
- What triggers vertigo in Meniere’s disease?
- Does everyone with Meniere’s disease experience vertigo?
There is no cure for Meniere’s disease, but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Triggers for vertigo episodes in Meniere’s disease can vary from person to person, but common triggers include stress, changes in pressure, and certain foods.
Not all individuals with Meniere’s disease will experience vertigo, as symptoms can manifest differently in each case.
