Three of the more recognizable indication of Meniere’s disease are tinnitus, vertigo, and fluctuating hearing loss. Meniere’s disease is an inner ear condition that can cause disruptions in your hearing and balance.Despite the fact that medical experts cannot yet cure this condition, there are nonetheless things you can do to lessen the outward symptoms and decrease their impact on your way of life.
The symptoms of Meniere’s disease tend to occur in clusters of episodes. A common starting point of these episodes is a feeling of fullness in the ear that leads to tinnitus and mild hearing loss. Vertigo is likely to come next, causing you to feel as though the room is spinning around you. This dizziness may also come with nausea, vomiting and balance problems. An episode can be as short as twenty minutes and as long as four hours.
Many people who suffer from Meniere’s disease experience several such episodes in a short period of time with long periods of ‘remission’ in between. The frequency and severity of each symptom can vary from episode to episode. Since these symptoms are not unique to Meniere’s disease, it’s very important to check with your physician to rule out other potentially serious health problems.
There is no clear cause of Meniere’s disease, but researchers theorize that abnormalities in the volume or composition of fluids in the inner ear may be to blame. Fluids in the inner ear must be at a certain volume and pressure in order to function properly. Triggers such as improper drainage, allergies, head trauma, and viral infection could all lead to fluid abnormalities.
Despite the fact that Meniere’s disease has no known cure, it’s symptoms can often be successfully managed. If you experience nausea during episodes of vertigo, your doctor may prescribe medications to help you feel more comfortable. Physicians may also prescribe drugs that reduce fluid retention as a way to control the disorder. Hearing aids offer a proven solution for episodes of hearing loss, while rehabilitation has been shown to improve balance during episodes of vertigo. The effects of vertigo may also be lessened by sitting or lying down as soon as possible after an episode starts and by avoiding triggers that seem to make vertigo symptoms worse.
Although there are some unpleasant symptoms associated with Meniere’s disease, there are steps that you can take to manage your episodes and reduce the impact they have on your life.
