No one’s really certain what causes Meniere’s disease. But the effects are difficult to underestimate. Ringing in the ears, vertigo, dizziness, and hearing loss are all typical symptoms of this condition. Symptoms of Meniere’s disease seem to come from a buildup of fluid in the inner ear, but scientists aren’t really certain what causes that accumulation in the first place.
So the question is: how can you address something that doesn’t appear to have a discernible cause? The answer is, well, complicated.
What exactly is Meniere’s disease?
There’s a persistent disorder that affects the inner ear and it’s called Meniere’s disease. Symptoms of Meniere’s will grow as time passes, for many people, because it’s a progressive condition. Here are some of those symptoms:
Unpredictable spells of vertigo: Regrettably, there’s no way to determine when these attacks of vertigo will strike or how long they could last.
Tinnitus: It’s relatively common for people with Meniere’s disease to have ringing in the ears or tinnitus, which can range from mild to severe.
Fullness in the ear: This is experienced as a feeling of pressure in your ears and is medically known as aural fullness.
Hearing loss: Eventually, Meniere’s disease can lead to a loss of hearing.
It’s important that you get an accurate diagnosis if you’re noticing these symptoms. For many people with Meniere’s, symptoms are intermittent. But as time passes, symptoms may become more regular and noticeable.
How is Meniere’s disease treated?
There is no known cure for Menier’s disease which is persistent and progressive. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t any way to treat it.
The following are some of those treatments:
- Steroid shots: Some symptoms of Meniere’s, especially vertigo, can be temporarily relieved with injections of specific steroids.
- Medications: Anti-nausea and anti-dizziness medications can be prescribed by your doctor in some situations. This can help when those specific symptoms occur. For example, medications made to help with motion sickness could help you feel less dizzy when an episode of vertigo happens.
- Surgery: In some instances, surgery is used to treat Meniere’s. Typically, however, only the vertigo side of the disease is impacted by this surgery. It won’t affect the other symptoms.
- Diuretic: A diuretic is another medication alternative that might be prescribed by your physician. The strategy is that decreasing the retention of fluids could help minimize pressure on your inner ear. This is a long-term medication that you’d take instead of one to reduce extreme symptoms.
- Hearing aid: It might be time to try hearing aids if Meniere’s disease is progressing to the point where your ability to hear is failing. Typically, a hearing aid won’t necessarily impede the advancement of your hearing loss. But it can help keep you socially engaged which can give a boost to your mental health. Hearing aids can also help you control the symptoms of tinnitus in numerous ways.
- Positive pressure therapy: When Meniere’s disease is especially difficult to manage, this non-invasive strategy can be employed. It’s called positive pressure therapy. In order to minimize fluid buildup, the inner ear is subjected to positive pressure. Peer review has not, so far, verified the long-term benefits of this method but it does seem promising.
- Rehabilitation: When Meniere’s disease is flaring up, You can use certain physical therapies that can help with balance. If you’re perpetually dizzy or dealing with vertigo, this strategy might be warranted.
Get the correct treatment for you
If you suspect you have Meniere’s disease, you should get evaluated. The development of Meniere’s disease might be slowed down by these treatments. More often, however, they reduce the effect that Meniere’s will have on your everyday life.