Meniere's Disease (MD or endolymphatic hydrops) is a disorder of the inner ear associated with a change in the volume of fluid inside a portion of the inner ear called the labyrinth, which includes the membranous labyrinth and the bony labryinth.
Meniere's symptoms are due to a problem with the inner ear, the part of the ear responsible for balance as well as hearing. If you have Meniere's, you'll recognize these symptoms:
Vertigo (a spinning or whirling sensation that causes balance problems). Vertigo is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sweating. Attacks of vertigo usually begin suddenly and may last for 20 minutes to several hours. You may have attacks rarely, frequently, or in clusters. The first attack is usually the most intense.
Problems with hearing. Hearing is often partially or completely lost during vertigo attacks. It's common for hearing to gradually worsen as the illness progresses.
Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, whistling, or roaring noises in the ear). These may come and go or may always be present. The noises may get louder just before a vertigo attack.
A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear. This sensation is sometimes felt most strongly right before a vertigo attack.
You may feel fine between attacks, or hearing or balance problems may continue between attacks. Although Meniere's usually affects only one ear, it can occasionally develop in both ears.
In the United States, the most conservative long-term treatment for Meniere's disease (aimed at reducing the severity and number of attacks) involves adhering to a reduced-sodium diet and using diuretics, or "water pills." The goal of this treatment is to reduce inner ear fluid pressure. Some physicians, more commonly outside of the United States, also weigh the potential efficacy of using betahistine HCl (Serc) as a vestibular suppressant for Meniere's disease.
Medications that are used during an attack to reduce the vertigo, nausea, and vomiting include diazepam (Valium), promethazine (Phenergan), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine Original Formula), and meclizine hydrochloride (Antivert, or Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula). Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is sometimes used to help with the imbalance that can plague people between attacks. Its goal is to help retrain the ability of the body and brain to process balance information.
Another recently introduced, conservative treatment approach employs a device to deliver a series of low-pressure air pulses designed to displace inner ear fluids. The use of this device is approved for general use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States.
For the 20-40% of people who do not respond to medication or diet, a physician may recommend a chemical labyrinthectomy, which destroys vestibular tissue with injections into the ear of an aminoglycoside antibiotic (gentamicin). Another less conservative treatment is surgery to relieve the pressure on the inner ear (although this is not as widely used now as it was in the past) or to destroy either the inner ear or the vestibular nerve, so that balance information is not transmitted to the brain.
Seek out information on Meniere's. Knowledge will help you take charge and stop Meniere's from running your life. The organizations below can tell you more about Meniere's. Some also can help you find local support groups, where you can talk to others with Meniere's.
Ear Foundation (Meniere's Network)
Nashville, Tennessee
(800) 545-4327
(615) 329-7807 (TDD/TTY)