Meniere's Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment (1)

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Meniere's Disease
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Meniere's Disease

• Named after the French physician Prosper
  Meniere, Meniere's disease is a problem that is
  associated with the fluid balancing system in the
  inner ear. Generally, it is defined as the
  symptom complex of episodic vertigo (sensation of
  whirling and spinning), tinnitus (ringing,
  roaring, and hissing that usually occurs in one
  ear), aural pressure (feeling of pressure in the
  concerned ear), and fluctuating hearing loss.
  There is a pattern involved here, which is
  usually a sensation of pressure building up in
  one ear with increasing tinnitus and a drop in
  hearing. After this happens, the vertigo comes
  quite suddenly, which may last for a few hours to
  several days. When the vertigo attack is over the
  hearing improves.

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Causes of Meniere's disease

• There exists a portion in the inner ear known as
  the labyrinth, within which, fluid is contained.
  The labyrinth has two parts the membranous
  labyrinth and the bony labyrinth. The membranous
  labyrinth, required for hearing and balance, is
  encased by bone, and filled with a fluid called
  endolymph. When we move our heads, the endolymph
  fluid moves causing nerve receptors in the
  membranous labyrinth to send signals to the brain
  about the body's motion. An increase in
  endolymph, however, can cause the membranous
  labyrinth to balloon or dilate. This condition is
  known as endolymphatic hydrops.Perilymph is
  another fluid that occupies the space between the
  membranous labyrinth and the bony inner ear. It
  is the belief of many experts that a rupture of
  the membranous labyrinth allows the endolymph to
  mix with perilymph.

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Causes of Meniere's disease
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• Accordingly, this results in the symptoms of
  Meniere's disease. Nonetheless, the exact cause
  of this condition remains unknown. In some cases,
  a connection exists between the onset of the
  illness and recently suffered head injury,
  middle ear infection, or syphilis. Other factors
  that increase the risk, include, allergies,
  alcoholism, fatigue, recent viral
  illness, respiratory infection, smoking, stress,
  and use of certain medications like aspirin.
  Genetics also play a role in acquiring this
  disease.

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Symptoms

• The symptoms of Meniere's disease vary from
  person to person, they are not definite. The two
  main symptoms are vertigo and tinnitus, which are
  described below in detail. 
• Vertigo The patient experiences severe attacks
  of vertigo, a feeling of falling, which can also
  cause spinning of the head and imbalance. The
  person feels as if he is flying or floating in
  air. These symptoms can disrupt all the other
  aspects of life. This attack can last for minutes
  or for hours together. It may be followed by
  nausea, or even vomiting. The patient is advised
  to sleep in such cases, as head movements or any
  external sound can make vertigo grow worse.
• Tinnitus Another main symptom is the ringing or
  booming sensation in one or both ears, also known
  as tinnitus. Sometimes, there is also a feeling
  of fullness in the ear, which is accompanied by a
  feeling of pressure.

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Symptoms
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• There is a strong sensitivity of visual stimuli,
  followed by nystagmus which is involuntary
  movements of eyeballs or jumping of eyes.
  Sometimes, the attack is followed by
  vomiting, excessive sweating, and nausea. The
  disease and its disability may include temporary
  or permanent hearing loss in one or both ears.
  Feeling of exhaustion and sleepiness can be
  observed after the attack is over.
• If you are experiencing the symptoms like
  vertigo or tinnitus to some extent, don't jump to
  the conclusion that you are suffering from
  Meniere's disease. A proper diagnosis is
  necessary several tests are carried out,
  like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or
  Electroencephalogram (EEG). They can help to
  confirm the disease. Along with this, several
  hearing tests like audiometry are also performed
  for diagnosing this disorder.

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Treatments

• Unfortunately, there is no cure, however, the
  symptoms can be controlled successfully by
  reducing the body's retention of fluids through
  dietary changes (which include low-salt or
  salt-free food and no caffeine or alcohol) or
  medication. Eliminating tobacco and reducing
  stress levels also help lessen the severity of
  the symptoms. Apart from the treatment options
  mentioned above, there are various surgical
  procedures that have been advocated for patients,
  who have persistent, debilitating vertigo from
  Meniere's disease. One such surgical treatment is
  Labyrinthectomy, in which the inner ear sense
  organ is removed. This procedure can control
  vertigo, but is reserved for patients, who have
  non-functional hearing in the affected ear.
  Vestibular neurectomy is another such treatment,
  in which, a nerve from the affected ear is
  selectively severed.

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Treatments
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• This procedure usually controls vertigo while
  preserving the hearing however, it also carries
  certain surgical risks. During an attack, it is
  advisable to lie flat on a surface keeping your
  eyes aimed at an object that is stationary. Do
  not eat or drink anything. When you feel that the
  symptoms have gone away, get up slowly. At this
  time you may want to sleep for several hours.
  Remember to call your doctor, if you keep
  vomiting for more than 24 hours, and are not able
  to keep down any liquids.

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