No one’s really certain what causes Meniere’s disease. But it’s difficult to overlook its impact. Ringing in the ears, vertigo, dizziness, and hearing loss are all common symptoms of this condition. Researchers aren’t really sure why, but for some reason, fluid can accumulate in the ears and this appears to be the root cause of Meniere’s disease.
So here’s the question: how can you address something that doesn’t appear to have a discernible cause? The answer is, well, complex.
Exactly what is Meniere’s disease?
There’s a chronic condition that affects the inner ear and it’s known as Meniere’s disease. For many people, Meniere’s disease is progressive, meaning symptoms will get worse over time. Here are some of those symptoms:
Unpredictable spells of vertigo: Regrettably, there’s no way to tell when these attacks of vertigo will strike or how long they could last.
Tinnitus: It’s fairly common for people with Meniere’s disease to experience ringing in the ears or tinnitus, which can range from mild to severe.
Fullness in the ear: This symptom is medically known as aural fullness, the sensation of pressure in your ear.
Hearing loss: Meniere’s disease can cause hearing loss over time.
It’s critical that you get an accurate diagnosis if you’re noticing these symptoms. Symptoms of Meniere’s disease can come and go for many individuals. But as the disease advances, the symptoms will most likely become more regular.
Treatment for Menier’s disease
Meniere’s disease is a progressive and persistent condition for which there is no known cure. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any treatments.
Some of the most prevalent treatments include the following:
- Rehabilitation: When Meniere’s disease is acting up, You can use certain physical therapies that can help with balance. If you’re perpetually dizzy or dealing with vertigo, this strategy may be warranted.
- Diuretic: Another type of medication that your physician could prescribe is a diuretic. The idea here is that the pressure in the inner ear can be lessened by reducing retention of fluid. This medication is not used to manage extreme symptoms but instead is taken long-term.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery is utilized to address Meniere’s. Typically, however, only the vertigo side of the disease is impacted by this surgery. Other Meniere’s symptoms will continue.
- Positive pressure therapy: When Meniere’s disease is especially challenging to manage, this non-invasive approach can be utilized. It’s known as positive pressure therapy. As a way to limit fluid accumulation, the inner ear is subjected to positive pressure. While positive pressure therapy is promising, the long-term advantages of this approach have yet to be borne out by peer-reviewed research.
- Hearing aid: It might be time to try hearing aids if Meniere’s disease is advancing 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 benefit your mental health by keeping you socially engaged. There are also numerous ways hearing aids can help manage tinnitus.
- Steroid shots: Some symptoms of Meniere’s, especially vertigo, can be temporarily relieved with injections of certain steroids.
- Medications: In some instances, your doctor will be prescribe anti-dizziness and anti-nausea medications. This can be helpful when those specific symptoms occur. So, when a bout of dizziness happens, medication for motion sickness can help decrease that dizziness.
The key is finding the treatment that’s best for you
If you suspect you have Meniere’s disease, you should get examined. Treatments for Meniere’s can sometimes slow the progression of your condition. More frequently, however, they reduce the effect that Meniere’s will have on your daily life.