Meniere’s disease is a disease that affects the inner ear, also known as the vestibular system. Meniere describes a condition where fluid from the ear continually leaks into the canal of the ear. It is caused by the constant pressure on your ear that causes tiny hairline crackling sounds.
If left untreated, this can lead to partial deafness. This article will give you some of the best information that you can about Meniere’s disease symptoms.
Meniere’s disease diagnosis
Diagnosis of Meniere’s disease usually takes place in a physician’s office. Your primary care physician will conduct a thorough medical history and conduct a physical exam. A conclusive diagnosis of Meniere’s disorder usually takes two or more episodes of temporary or permanent vertigo, each lasting more than 20 minutes for more than a month, verified by a special hearing test called audiometry.
If the patient also has objective hearing loss, that can be considered too. Meniere’s is considered a neurological disorder, so normal blood pressure levels and brain activity should be monitored at all times.
Meniere’s disease breakthrough treatment
Treatments for Meniere’s disease usually require your doctor to adjust your medications to make them less effective. If it turns out that you do have an underlying medical condition that is causing the symptoms, other treatments may be necessary.
Some common treatments include vitamin B6 supplements and a prescription anti-depressant medication. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, your doctor may recommend additional medications or even surgery.
Your doctor should review your medical history carefully, especially if you have a family history of Meniere’s. A neurological disorder can result in a number of subtle symptoms that can be confused with the symptoms of Meniere’s.
If there is a family history of the disease in the immediate family, your doctor will have you undergo a neurological exam first. The exam will let your doctor know what your chances are of having episodes of Meniere’s syndrome or Meniere’s disease.
What is the Epley maneuver?
As described by Wikipedia: The Epley maneuver or repositioning maneuver is a maneuver used by medical professionals to treat one common cause of vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior or anterior canals of the ear.
When you are looking at treatment options, you should be aware that there are some medications that cause dizziness. Some medications make you feel lightheaded or unsteady. Your doctor may recommend that you avoid these medications or take lesser doses. Medications that cause fluid retention can also lead to dizziness and light-headedness.
Meniere’s disease diet
- Eat evenly throughout the day. Do not go for more than 4 hours without eating.
- Limit caffeine. Stay from coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, chocolate, and diet pills.
- Eat a diet with low-sodium.
- Stay away from MSG (MonoSodium Glutamate) – a form of sodium that is usually can trigger a migraine.
It is possible to have only one ear or both ears experiencing symptoms. However, many people with Meniere’s disease only experience symptoms in one ear. The severity of one’s hearing loss is also tied to one ear or the other. If you experience double or triple (or greater) hearing loss, you should consult your doctor.
Exercises for Meniere’s disease
Many people with Menière’s disease feel better if they regularly do vigorous aerobic exercise (e.g., bike, row machine, etc.). Don’t overdo it, however – if you’re unable to do vigorous aerobic exercise, do something less impactful, such as yoga or walking
Can labyrinthitis cause vertigo?
Labyrinthitis is the inflammation of part of the inner ear called the labyrinth. The eighth cranial nerve (vestibulocochlear nerve) can also be inflamed. Inflammation of these causes a feeling of spinning (vertigo/dizziness), hearing loss, and other symptoms.
There are several different classifications of Meniere’s disease. The severity of your symptoms is based on the classification. For instance, a grade I is when you experience only mild symptoms. A grade II is when you experience moderate to severe symptoms and a grade III is when you have moderate to severe symptoms and vomiting.
Meniere’s disease and driving
If you are a driver, you must stop driving if Ménière’s disease is diagnosed and you must report this to the Driving Authority. This is because, with little warning, you can have sudden attacks of vertigo or even drop attacks. The Driving Authority will let you drive again if symptoms are well under control.
A vestibular migraine is a problem of the nervous system that causes recurring dizziness (or vertigo) in people with a history of migraines. Contrary to traditional migraines, the person may not always have a headache. There are different names for this type of problem. Your doctor may also call it: Migraine-associated vertigo
Best vertigo treatment
There are several medications that may help treat your Meniere’s disease, including drugs to control vertigo (vertigo treatment) and pain. You may also want to look into natural supplements that contain ingredients that can treat symptoms of your inner ear problems. These supplements can be quite effective to treat symptoms of dizziness and ringing in the ears.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of dizziness along with symptoms of ringing and/or nausea, your doctor may prescribe an anti-vertigo medication. However, if your dizziness is severe and prolonged, your doctor may want to talk with you about the possibility of Meniere’s disease as a possible cause. After all, this is especially true if your dizziness seems to come and go. Some medications for both conditions are listed below.
Betahistine for Meniere’s disease
As per Wikipedia: Betahistine, sold under the brand name Serc among others, is an anti-vertigo medication. It is commonly as a prescription for balance disorders or to alleviate vertigo symptoms, e.g. those associated with Ménière’s disease. It was first registered in Europe in 1970 for the treatment of Ménière’s disease
What is Stemetil?
Stemetil Tablets normally contain a medicine called prochlorperazine maleate. It belongs to a group of medicines named ‘phenothiazine antipsychotics’. How it works is by blocking the effects of a chemical inside the brain.
Stemetil Tablets is used to:
- Treat balance problems such as vertigo (dizziness). Also includes inner ear problems such as Meniere’s Syndrome’ or ‘labyrinthitis’.
- Stop the sick feeling (nausea) or being sick (vomiting). This can occur from any cause including migraines.
- Treats schizophrenia.
- Treats over-active behavior or thoughts (mania).
- Above all treat short-term anxiety, when combined with other medicines.
What is meclizine good for?
Meclizine is an antihistamine patients and doctors use to prevent and treat vomiting, nausea, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It can also be used to reduce dizziness and loss of balance (vertigo) caused by problems of the inner ear.
These are just a few of the treatments that your doctor might recommend in case you have Meniere’s disease or Tinnitus. He may discuss these treatments during a regular appointment as a matter of fact. Your doctor might recommend one treatment or a combination of treatments.
He will most likely let you know the results of any tests that are conducted during the course of his investigation. Some of these include blood tests, MRI’s, CT scans, or ear fullness tests.
Meniere’s disease surgery
Meniere’s disease may require you to undergo surgery. This is called a Meniere’s Cystectomy. This procedure is usually performed if the symptoms are present and do not respond to conventional treatment. All things considered, treatments other than surgery include non-invasive therapies. This includes a variety of dietary, homeopathic, and other lifestyle changes as well as positive pressure therapy.
If you liked the article, please donate!