Ménière’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Meniere’s disease is a rare condition that affects your inner ear, causing a loss of balance and hearing loss. It can affect one or both ears and usually occurs in people above 40 years. The most obvious symptom of this condition is vertigo—feeling like objects in your surroundings are spinning. See an ENT specialist in Navi Mumbai if you experience vertigo attacks and hearing problems.

Causes of Ménière’s Disease

Ménière’s Disease is linked to fluid buildup in the inner ear. This fluid, called endolymph, can increase pressure inside the ear when overproduced and poorly absorbed.

Researchers haven’t discovered the exact cause of the excess endolymph production, but it’s most likely due to an inner ear infection, genetic factors, autoimmune disorders, or ear abnormalities. An allergy or head injury can also cause excess fluid buildup in the ear.

Symptoms of Ménière’s Disease

People diagnosed with Meniere’s disease have episodes of symptoms, such as dizzy spells or spinning sensation. These symptoms can last only a couple of minutes or several hours. In some cases, the episodes occur consistently, within a short gap.

Here’s what you might experience if you have Meniere’s disease:

• Vertigo or dizzy spells that happen frequently, i.e., multiple episodes within 24 hours
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hearing loss
• Unusual pressure in the air
• Ringing sensation

Meniere’s disease is a progressive medical condition, the symptoms of which worsen over time. It might start with a temporary hearing loss, eventually resulting in multiple episodes of vertigo.

Treatments for Ménière’s Disease

There’s no cure for Meniere’s disease, but the symptoms are manageable. Depending on the severity of the condition, your doctor will start with therapy, medication, and other non-invasive treatments. If your symptoms worsen, surgery might be needed. Let’s check out the popular Ménière’s Disease treatment in Navi Mumbai.

Lifestyle Changes

Your doctor will advise avoiding foods and activities that might trigger vertigo attacks. For instance, excess salt consumption can result in fluid retention in your ear, which might cause hearing loss. So, you must limit your salt consumption.

Alcohol and caffeinated beverages tend to have a similar effect, so they must also be avoided. To manage the condition, you must get adequate rest. Moreover, you must get support from a counselor for stress management.

Medications

Medications that reduce fluid in your ear and the pressure caused by excess fluid buildup can help ease your symptoms. You can also take anti-nausea medication to manage nausea caused by vertigo attacks. In severe cases of Meniere’s disease, injectable shots are recommended.

Surgical Options

If you experience frequent episodes of vertigo and other symptoms, a surgical procedure can help. Your healthcare provider will perform a labyrinthectomy, an invasive medical procedure that removes the portion of your ear that is responsible for balance. This is recommended for patients who’ve already lost their hearing ability.

Conclusion

Vertigo attacks and hearing loss are the most common symptoms of Meniere’s disease. If left untreated, Meniere’s disease can lead to permanent hearing loss. It’s a lifelong condition, but the symptoms can be managed with proper treatment and lifestyle changes.