Though vertigo is a symptom of Meniere's disease, the chronic condition can have multiple other side effects and tends to get progressively worse. On the other hand, vertigo does not necessarily link with a more severe condition, such as Meniere's disease.
Ménière's disease (idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops) is a rare inner ear disorder. It affects your sense of balance and hearing. Left untreated, Ménière's disease symptoms get worse over time and may cause permanent hearing loss and ongoing balance problems.
The exact cause of Ménière's disease is unknown, but it's thought to be caused by a problem with pressure deep inside the ear. Factors that can increase your risk of developing Ménière's disease include a family history of the condition and a chemical imbalance in the fluid in your inner ear.
Vertigo attacks vary in severity, last from several minutes to several hours, and are often accompanied by nausea. Remissions and exacerbations are typical of MD. Stabilization of the disease, where vertigo attacks disappear or at least diminish over time, has been reported.
You should not drive when you feel dizzy or if you feel an attack of vertigo coming on. You must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you're prone to sudden attacks of vertigo without any warning signs.
Meniere's disease is often frustrating for people who have it. You may have to change the way you live to control the attacks. You should follow your doctor's advice about your diet, and about cutting out alcohol, caffeine, and smoking.
For some people, tinnitus and/or hearing loss become constant. For others, balance and vision issues may chronically continue but stabilize—rather than occurring acutely with severe attacks of vertigo. But there is no rigid pattern. Everyone's experience with Meniere's is somewhat different.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which may make symptoms worse. If you smoke, quit. Quitting may help reduce symptoms. Some people find that managing allergy symptoms and avoiding allergy triggers helps decrease Meniere disease symptoms.
Meniere's is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. It may start slowly with occasional hearing loss. Vertigo may develop later.
Water retention makes Meniere's disease worse, but this doesn't mean you should stop drinking fluids. It's more important that you avoid fluids that contain large amounts of sugar and salt, such as soda or concentrated juices, which make you retain water.
Ménière's disease/syndrome is a long term, progressive vestibular condition affecting the balance and hearing parts of the inner ear. Symptoms are acute attacks of vertigo (severe dizziness), fluctuating tinnitus, increasing deafness, and a feeling of pressure in the ear.
When To Seek Vertigo Emergency Care. Vertigo emergency care is recommended if you are experiencing new, severe dizziness or vertigo with any of the following symptoms: sudden, severe headache. shortness of breath.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
The MRI scan will not confirm a diagnosis of Ménière's disease, nor will it show which ear is affected or how severe the condition is. During initial investigation it is important to exclude many serious conditions which can cause vertigo or unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
Vertigo is one of the main symptoms of Ménière disease. It can cause falls, trouble driving, or prevent other normal activities of daily living. Permanent hearing loss may also happen. These problems can cause depression and anxiety.
Drugs for nausea: Prochlorperazine (Compazine) is an effective medication for treating nausea during an episode of vertigo. Diuretics: These drugs reduce fluid retention in the body. For Ménière's disease, doctors might prescribe a combination of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (Dyazide or Maxzide).
Many people with Meniere's disease feel better if they do vigorous aerobic exercise on a regular basis (e.g. bike, rowing machine, etc.). Don't over-extend yourself – if you can't physically manage vigorous aerobic exercise do something more low impact, like yoga or walking.
Yes, Meniere's disease is a disability, and it is listed in Section 2.07 of the Blue Book, which is the medical guide the Social Security Administration (SSA) use to determine whether to approve or deny disability benefit claims.
Ménière's disease is a rare condition that affects the inner ear. It can cause vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of pressure deep inside the ear.
Hearing aids are important for all people with hearing loss, whether it is in one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral). There are specific hearing problems for people with Meniere's but most can be helped by the range of aids available.
Most of the time, Meniere's disease affects only one ear. Meniere's disease can happen at any age. But it usually starts between the ages of 40 to 60. It's thought to be a lifelong condition.
Hearing tests, including one to find out if the nerve from the inner ear to the brain is working as it should. A test called an electronystagmogram (ENG), which measures your eye movements. This can help the doctor find where the problem is that's causing vertigo. Imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan of the head.
Each of the main triad of Ménière's symptoms can impact on quality of life. Tinnitus may be associated with sleep disturbance, depression, irritability, reduced concentration and auditory difficulties [1]. Hearing loss can result in communication difficulties, which can cause problems in work and social life.
Limit salt, alcohol, and caffeine intake
Data shows that certain foods and substances can worsen attacks by increasing fluid buildup in the inner ear. Try to follow these rules of thumb: Eat only 1 to 2 grams of salt per day. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks if possible.