MENIERE'S DISEASE

General Information

DEFINITION--Increased fluid in the inner ear's semicircular canals, which normally help maintain balance. Excess fluid produces pressure in the inner ear, disturbing balance and sometimes reducing hearing.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Semicircular canals of the inner ear, usually on one side only (80-85%).

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED

• Both sexes, but slightly more common in women.
• Adults between ages 30 and 60.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--

The following occur with every acute attack:

• Severe dizziness.
• Vertigo (feeling that you are spinning or everything around you is spinning).
• Noises in the affected ear, such as ringing or buzzing.
• Hearing loss that increases with each attack. Possible accompanying symptoms:
• Vomiting.
• Sweating.
• Jerky eye movements.
• Loss of balance.

CAUSES--The exact cause is unknown. Suggested causes involve an inner ear response to a variety of injuries. There is an increase in the amount of fluid in the membranous labyrinth (the canals in the inner ear that control balance).

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Stress.
• Allergy.
• Increased salt intake.
• Noise.

HOW TO PREVENT--Avoid risk factors where possible.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Diagnostic tests may include laboratory blood studies to rule out other disorders, various hearing tests, MRI (See Glossary) to rule out acoustic tumor.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Treatment usually consists of rest and medication to control the symptoms.
• Surgical procedure on the affected labyrinth may be utilized in some patients with chronic Meniere's.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Permanent hearing loss.
• Chronic noises in the ear.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Attacks of Meniere's disease usually recur over a period of years. Mild attacks may last a half hour to several days. Severe attacks may last several weeks. Some symptoms can be controlled. The condition is frustrating but not life-threatening.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Avoid glaring light and don't read during attacks.
• Severe attacks may be accompanied by anxiety attacks or migraines.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• To treat an acute attack, intravenous atropine or diazepam, or scopolamine via a patch.
• Antinausea drugs.
• Tranquilizers to reduce dizziness.
• Antihistamines, which lessen symptoms in some persons.
• Diuretics to decrease fluid in the inner ear.

ACTIVITY--

• Rest quietly in bed until dizziness and nausea disappear.
• Don't walk without assistance.
• Avoid sudden changes in position.
• Don't drive, climb ladders or work around dangerous machinery.

DIET--

• Decrease salt intake.
• Limit total intake during an attack because of nausea.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of Meniere's disease.
• The following occurs during treatment: Decreased hearing in either ear. Persistent vomiting. Convulsions. Fainting. Fever of 101F (38.3C) or higher.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.