Ménière's Disorder

Meniere's condition, typically called endolymphatic hydrops, refers to a set of three of signs (vertigo, changing hearing loss, and tinnitus) that reoccur in spells (Meniere strikes), and at some point bring about long-term hearing loss. These three symptoms happen in lots of various vestibular ailments, so the term Meniere's disease is just utilized for those cases in which a reason has actually not yet been identified which meet particular crucial features. The most crucial feature is that the afflicted ear loses hearing briefly during the strikes, and with time creates long-term hearing loss. Individuals which never ever experience hearing loss do not have Meniere's disease.

In 1861, the French doctor Prosper Meniere described a condition which now bears his name. Meniere's disease is a condition of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus ), a feeling of fullness or pressure in theand fluctuating hearing loss. In Figure 1, the area of the ear affected is the entire labyrinth, which includes both the semicircular canals and the cochlea What are the Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease? People with Ménière’s disease have a “sick” inner ear and are more sensitive to factors, such as fatigue and stress, that may influence the frequency of attacks.

Meniere's affects approximately 3 to 5 million individuals in the United States. It is a disabling problem resulting in repeated violent attacks of lightheadedness, ringing in the ear and hearing loss that can last for hrs and can inevitably cause long-term deafness in the affected ear. Up until now, the reason for the attacks has been not known, with no theory totally clarifying the lots of symptoms and indications of the problem. The specific cause of Meniere's condition is not known. It could happen when the tension of the fluid partly of the inner ear gets expensive.

Patients who do not respond well to conservative therapy should be referred to an otolaryngologist for possible intratympanic medications, ventilation tube placement with a prescription for pulse pressure therapy (ie, Meniett device), or surgical intervention. Primary care clinicians can initiate treatment for Ménière’s disease by recommending lifestyle changes, prescribing oral medications, providing patient education, and recognizing indications for referral. The doctor may also do a hearing test to check for any permanent hearing loss. A test called a caloric stimulation may be done to check your eye reflexes by warming or cooling the inner ear with water. Other vestibular testing may also be done to evaluate your sense of balance.

While no one believes that stress causes Meniere's Disease, most people with the disease recognize a relationship between stressful events and the recurrence of their symptoms. Many patients believe that stress is a factor in how well they can prevent recurrent attacks and cope with the disruption caused by Meniere’s Disease. Not knowing when the next attack of vertigo may occur is a significant stress all by itself. For these reasons, patients with Meniere’s Disease are advised to manage their stress as much as possible. Professional counseling may be helpful in this regard.