The cause of Meniere’s is not really understood. But it’s difficult to ignore its impact. Some common symptoms of this affliction are dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss. 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: if something doesn’t have an identifiable cause, how can it be addressed? It’s a complicated answer.
Exactly what is Meniere’s disease?
Meniere’s disease is a persistent disorder that affects the inner ear. For many individuals, Meniere’s disease is progressive, meaning symptoms will get worse as time passes. Those symptoms could include:
Unpredictable bouts of vertigo: Unfortunately, there’s no way to determine when these attacks of vertigo may occur or how long they could last.
Tinnitus: The severity of this tinnitus may ebb and flow, but it’s not abnormal for those with Meniere’s Disease to experience ringing in their ears.
Fullness in the ear: This manifests as a sensation of pressure in your ears and is medically called aural fullness.
Hearing loss: Meniere’s disease can lead to hearing loss over time.
If you notice these symptoms, it’s crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis. Symptoms of Meniere’s disease can come and go for many people. But eventually, symptoms may become more regular and obvious.
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.
Some of the most common treatments include the following:
- Diuretic: A diuretic is another medication option that might be prescribed by your doctor. The concept here is that the pressure in the inner ear can be minimized by decreasing retention of fluid. This is a long-term medication that you’d use rather than one to decrease severe symptoms.
- Rehabilitation: When Meniere’s disease is acting up, You can utilize certain physical therapies that can help with balance. This approach may be a practical approach if you’re experiencing regular dizziness or vertigo.
- Medications: In some instances, your physician will be able to prescribe anti-dizziness and anti-nausea medications. This can be helpful when those specific symptoms manifest. So, when a bout of dizziness happens, medication for motion sickness can help relieve that dizziness.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery is utilized to address Meniere’s. However, these surgical techniques will typically only affect the vertigo part of symptoms. Other Meniere’s symptoms will persist.
- Hearing aid: It might be time to get hearing aids if Meniere’s disease is progressing to the point where your ability to hear is faltering. The advancement of your hearing loss won’t necessarily be slowed by hearing aids. But it can help keep you socially engaged which can give a boost to your mental health. Hearing aids can also help you manage the symptoms of tinnitus in numerous ways.
- Positive pressure therapy: There’s a non-invasive method used when Meniere’s is particularly hard to manage. It’s known as positive pressure therapy. As a way to limit fluid accumulation, the inner ear is exposed to positive pressure. While positive pressure therapy is promising, the long-term advantages of this method have yet to be borne out by peer-reviewed studies.
- Steroid shots: Injections of specific types of steroids can temporarily help alleviate some Meniere’s symptoms, particularly when it comes to vertigo.
Find the correct treatment for you
You should get checked out if think you might have Meniere’s disease. The development of Meniere’s disease might be slowed by these treatments. More often, however, they reduce the effect that Meniere’s will have on your daily life.