PLEASE NOTE:

This is not intended to replace your doctors point of view.
This is solely for information only. I have tried to keep the
information as accurate and up to date as much as possible.
If you have any medical questions refer those to your Ear
Specialist.

Menieres is classified as a inner ear disorder that causes
repeated attacks of dizziness and the discomfort of fullness
from the affected ear.
This is due to increase pressure of the inner ear fluids.

Fluids in the inner ear chambers are constantly being
produced and absorbed by the circulatory system.
If there are any disturbance in the delicate relationship,
this results is over production or under absorption of the
fluids. This leads to increase fluid pressure (which may be felt)
that usually produces dizziness which can be associated with
fluctuating hearing loss and ringing in the ear.
It is rare for someone to be affected in both ears at the same time.

Evaluation by a Otolaryngolist (Ears, Nose and Throat Specialist)
or by a Otology @ Neurotolist (Inner Ear Specialist)
is needed to determine the cause of the increase
fluid pressure. Circulatory, metabolic, toxic, allergic
or emotional factors may play a part in an case.

What are the symptoms?

Menieres disease is characterized by severe attacks of
dizziness that can vary from a few minutes to several hours
or even days. Hearing loss and head noise (ringing in the ear)
usually accompany the attacks.
The dizziness attacks can occur suddenly without any warning.
Violent spinning, whirling and falling sensations with nausea
are the most common symptoms. For some, a sensation of pressure
(fullness) in the ear is usually present.
Sometimes if the pressure is severe, it can effect normal
activities such as lack of concentration and short term memory
loss. These attacks may occur at irregular intervals.
The individual can be free of symptoms for many years at a time.

Occasionally hearing impairment, ringing noise and ear
pressure occur without dizziness. This type of Menieres disease
is called cochlear hydrops. Dizziness and ear pressure may
occur without hearing loss and ringing, this is called
Vestibular Hydrops. Treatment for both of these is the same as Menieres.

What type of treatment is available?

Menieres disease can be treated medically or surgically.

Medical:

Treatment varies. This depends on several factors according to
the cause, magnitude and frequency of the symptoms.
In order to improve the inner ear circulation and control
the fluid pressure, treatment may consist of medication to
stimulate the inner ear circulation. Such are vasodilating
drugs (blood pressure pills) Diuretics (water pills) with
anti-dizziness medication. People with Menieres should void
caffeine and nicotine for this has an opposite effect on
drug treatment. Another form of treatment is special diets
such as reducing salt and or potassium

Surgical:

Surgery is only recommend where medical treatment fails
to relieve the attacks of dizziness and pressure.
Surgery is successful in relieving acute attacks in the
majority of patients.

Endolymphatic Shunt : This operation drains excess fluids from
the inner ear. This operation is advised when hearing is
relatively good. An incision is made behind the ear, through
the mastoid (bone section behind the ear) and a tube is
inserted to control the abnormal fluid pressure.

In severe cases where the shunt in unsuccessful, it is
sometimes necessary to remove the inner ear membranes.
When this is done, there is total loss of hearing in
the operated ear.

It is found that once a person has been diagnose with
Menieres, permanent hearing loss is the result once the
disease in in the final stages. Fluid pressure eventually
damages the inner ear chambers, resulting in hearing loss.
Hearing loss varies from person to person. As well, time plays
no factor in this degenerative disease.
As much as 50 to 95 percent hearing loss has been reported.

There are many causes of dizziness and pressure. If you feel
that some of the symptoms matches yours, please see your specialist.