The cause of Meniere’s isn’t really understood. But it’s hard to ignore its effects. Ringing in the ears, dizziness, vertigo, and hearing loss are all common symptoms of this disorder. Researchers aren’t really sure why, but for some reason, fluid can accumulate in the ears and this seems to be the underlying cause of Meniere’s disease.
So here’s the question: if something doesn’t have a discernible cause, how can it be dealt with? It’s a complex answer.
Exactly what is Meniere’s disease?
Meniere’s disease is a persistent disorder that impacts the inner ear. For many patients, Meniere’s disease is progressive, meaning symptoms will grow worse over time. Those symptoms could include:
Unpredictable spells of vertigo: Unfortunately, there’s no way to know when these episodes of vertigo may strike or how long they could last.
Tinnitus: The degree of this tinnitus may ebb and flow, but it’s not unusual for those with Meniere’s Disease to have ringing in their ears.
Fullness in the ear: This is experienced as a sensation of pressure in your ears and is medically known as aural fullness.
Hearing loss: Eventually, Meniere’s disease can result in a loss of hearing.
It’s critical that you get an accurate diagnosis if you’re noticing these symptoms. For many individuals with Meniere’s, symptoms are irregular. But as the disease advances, the symptoms will likely become more consistent.
Treatment for Menier’s disease
Meniere’s disease is a progressive and persistent condition for which there is no known cure. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t any way to treat it.
Some of the most common treatments include the following:
- Medications: In some situations, your physician will be prescribe anti-dizziness and anti-nausea medications. This can help when those particular symptoms appear. So, when a bout of dizziness occurs, medication for motion sickness can help alleviate that dizziness.
- Diuretic: Another type of medication that your physician may prescribe is a diuretic. The strategy is that reducing the retention of fluids could help minimize pressure on your inner ear. This medication is not used to manage extreme symptoms but instead is taken long-term.
- 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. The progression of your hearing loss won’t necessarily be slowed down by hearing aids. But it can help keep you socially active which can give a boost to your mental health. Hearing aids can also help you control the symptoms of tinnitus in numerous ways.
- Rehabilitation: There are rehabilitation and physical therapy methods that can help you maintain balance when Meniere’s disease is flaring up. This approach could be a practical approach if you’re experiencing frequent dizziness or vertigo.
- Surgery: In some instances, surgery is used to treat Meniere’s. Normally, however, only the vertigo part of the disease is affected by this surgery. Other Meniere’s symptoms will continue.
- Steroid shots: Some symptoms of Meniere’s, particularly vertigo, can be temporarily relieved with injections of certain steroids.
- Positive pressure therapy: When Meniere’s disease is especially difficult to treat, this non-invasive method can be employed. Positive pressure therapy is the medical term for this therapy. This therapy entails exposing the inner ear to positive pressure as a way to limit fluid accumulation. While positive pressure therapy is promising, the long-term advantages of this method have not been borne out by peer-reviewed research.
The key is finding the treatment that’s right for you
You should get checked out if suspect you might have Meniere’s disease. The advancement of Meniere’s disease may be slowed down by these treatments. But these treatments more often help you have a better quality of life despite your condition.