The cause of Meniere’s isn’t well understood. But it’s difficult to ignore its impact. Some common symptoms of this affliction are dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss. Researchers aren’t really certain why, but for some reason, fluid can accumulate in the ears and this seems to be the root cause of Meniere’s disease.
So here’s the question: if something doesn’t have a discernible cause, how can it be addressed? It’s a complex answer.
Exactly what is Meniere’s disease?
There’s a chronic affliction that affects the inner ear and it’s called Meniere’s disease. For many people, Meniere’s disease is progressive, meaning symptoms will grow worse over time. Those symptoms could include:
Unpredictable spells of vertigo: Sadly, when these bouts of vertigo will occur and how long they may last can’t be predicted.
Tinnitus: It’s fairly common for individuals with Meniere’s disease to have ringing in the ears or tinnitus, which can range from mild to severe.
Fullness in the ear: This manifests as a feeling of pressure in your ears and is medically called aural fullness.
Hearing loss: Eventually, Meniere’s disease can result in a loss of hearing.
It’s important that you get the proper diagnosis if you’re experiencing these symptoms. Symptoms of Meniere’s disease can appear and disappear for many individuals. But as the disease advances, the symptoms will probably become more regular.
How is Meniere’s disease treated?
There is no known cure for Menier’s disease which is persistent and progressive. But there are a few ways to deal with the symptoms.
The following are a few of those treatments:
- Rehabilitation: There are rehabilitation and physical therapy strategies that can help you preserve balance when Meniere’s disease is flaring up. This approach may be a useful approach if you’re experiencing frequent dizziness or vertigo.
- Medications: In some cases, your doctor will be prescribe anti-dizziness and anti-nausea medications. If those particular symptoms show up, this can be helpful. For instance, medications created to help with motion sickness could help you feel less dizzy when a bout of vertigo occurs.
- Positive pressure therapy: When Meniere’s disease is especially difficult to manage, this non-invasive technique can be used. It’s known as positive pressure therapy. As a way to limit fluid buildup, the inner ear is subjected to positive pressure. Peer review has not, so far, verified the long-term advantages of this method but it does seem promising.
- Steroid shots: Some symptoms of Meniere’s, particularly vertigo, can be temporarily alleviated with injections of specific steroids.
- Diuretic: Another kind of medication that your physician might prescribe is a diuretic. The concept is that reducing the retention of fluids could help minimize pressure on your inner ear. This is a long-term medication that you’d use rather than one to minimize severe symptoms.
- Hearing aid: It may be time to try hearing aids if Meniere’s disease is progressing to the point where your ability to hear is faltering. The progression of your hearing loss won’t necessarily be slowed down by hearing aids. But it can help keep you socially active which can improve your mental health. There are also numerous ways hearing aids can help manage tinnitus.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery is utilized to address Meniere’s. Typically, however, only the vertigo part of the disease is impacted by this surgery. It won’t impact the other symptoms.
The key is finding the treatment that’s best for you
You should get an exam if think you may have Meniere’s disease. Treatments for Meniere’s can sometimes slow the progress of your condition. More often, however, they minimize the effect that Meniere’s will have on your daily life.