Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder whose cause is not known yet. It affects people belonging to the age group of 30-60 years. Men are slightly are higher risk of developing this condition than women. Because of its unknown origin, the disease is incurable and treatment involves prevention of the symptoms.
A person suffering from this disorder experiences a type of dizziness and ringing of one ear. There is a sensation of being in motion though the person is stationary. There is progressive hearing loss.
The intensity of the ailment varies from person to person from being a mild annoyance to a lifetime disability.
Symptoms of Menieres Disease:
- Periodic incidences of dizziness
- Progressive and fluctuating hearing loss in one ear
- Sensation of pressure or fullness in one or both the ears
- Ringing sensation in one or both the ears
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Felling of being pushed or pulled
- Hearing distorted sounds
- Sensitivity to noises
- Uncontrollable and jerky movements of eye
- Migraine
These symptoms appear due to head injury, infection in the middle ear, infection in respiratory tract, by drinking alcohol, taking aspirin or by smoking cigarettes. Excessive consumption of salt increases the severity of the signs of this disorder in some patients.
Diagnosis of Meniere’s Disease:
There is no definitive test for this condition. Doctors hear the complaints of the patient and learn about the medical history. Then all other possible causes are ruled out to finally diagnose this disorder. Because of its unknown origin, once the cause of the symptoms is found out, a person no longer has this ailment.
Detailed tests of ear, nose and throats is carried out along with test of hearing ability and MRI scan of head. This ensures that the person is not suffering from a rare disorder of the inner ear called superior canal dehiscence syndrome. This rare disorder shares similar symptoms as that of Menieres disease.
Treatment of Meniere’s Disease:
- Steroids, antihistamines, diuretics and anticholinergics are some of the drugs prescribed to reduce the pressure in the inner ears.
- With the progression of the symptoms, surgery is sometimes recommended. But the doctors cannot guarantee any hearing loss.
- Intake of sodium in food is to be reduced. Tobacco, alcohol and caffeine intake should be completely given up as they flare up the severity of the symptoms.
- As the patients deal with severe stress and anxiety because of the unpredictability of the attacks, practicing meditation and yoga can be beneficial.
- Some devices like the Meniett are found to be safe and popular treatment options for this disease. These devices provide micro pressure pulses in order to reduce vertigo frequency.
Prognosis of Menieres Disease:
Because of its unpredictable behavior, the range of sufferers who end up having this disease in both their ears lies between 17 – 75 percent.
Patients with the disorder in their right ear especially, are found to have their cognitive performances get very badly affected when compared to left ear or both ears sufferers.
But in 60-80 percent cases, no permanent disability is caused and there is recovery with or without the help of medicines.
What is Meniere’s Disease? – Video Answer
