The most troublesome symptom is usually vertigo, but your doctor can give you medicines to help. If these don’t work, there are several other treatments your doctor can try. Drop attacks, known as Tumarkin’s otolithic crisis, are when a person falls to the ground with no warning.
It interprets outside airwaves and sends signals that your brain and inner ear use to allow you to hear and maintain your balance. When there’s too much endolymph in your inner ear, those signals become scrambled so your brain can’t manage your sense of balance and hearing. But some treatments can help ease symptoms and lessen how it affects your life long term.
If you have symptoms of Ménière’s disease, a GP will ask you about your symptoms, check inside your ears, and look at your head and neck. In an operation called selective vestibular nerve section, the surgeon cuts the nerve in the inner ear that sends information about balance to the brain. Balance tests are performed to test the function of your inner ear. People who have Meniere’s disease will have a reduced balance response in one of their ears. The balance test most commonly used to test for Meniere’s disease is electronystagmography (ENG). Your hearing will also be tested to determine if you can tell the difference between similar sounds.
Vehicle licensing authorities in many countries state that people with a diagnosis of Ménière’s disease must not drive. However, according to the NIDCD, no evidence supports using herbal supplements, acupuncture, or acupressure to treat Ménière’s. Aside from making adjustments to the diet and lifestyle, there are few natural options available to manage Ménière’s disease.
Meniere’s Disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can cause episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. This chronic condition can be unpredictable and debilitating, impacting a person’s daily life and well-being.
The person remains awake and does not lose consciousness. Drop attacks are sometimes experienced in the later stages of Ménière’s disease. They do not affect everyone and some people will not experience drop attacks.
It’s caused by an abnormality in part the inner ear called the labyrinth. Fluid build-up here can cause a severe spinning sensation (vertigo) and affect the hearing. The triad of vertigo, tinnitus, and deafness is a familiar presentation in a GP surgery, but diagnosis and treatment remain a challenge.
What are the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s Disease is characterized by four main symptoms:
- Vertigo: A sensation of spinning or dizziness that can last for minutes to hours, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
- Hearing Loss: Fluctuating hearing loss, usually affecting one ear, which can become permanent over time.
- Tinnitus: Ringing, buzzing, or roaring noises in the affected ear.
- Ear Fullness: A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear, similar to being underwater.
What does a Meniere’s Disease attack feel like?
During an attack of Meniere’s Disease, a person may experience intense vertigo, making it difficult to stand or walk. They may also feel nauseous, have ringing in their ears, and struggle with hearing loss. These attacks can be overwhelming and exhausting, leaving the individual feeling disoriented and anxious.
How does Meniere’s Disease impact daily life?
Living with Meniere’s Disease can be challenging as the symptoms can be unpredictable and interfere with work, social activities, and overall quality of life. The fear of having an attack in public can lead to isolation and anxiety. Treatment options such as medications, dietary changes, and vestibular rehabilitation therapy can help manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.
