Meniere’s is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. It may start slowly with occasional hearing loss. Vertigo may develop later. If you’re dizzy, sit or lie down right away. Don’t do any type of movement that might make your vertigo worse. Meniere’s disease can develop at any age, but it is more likely to happen to adults between 40 and 60 years of age. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates that approximately 600,000 individuals in the United States are currently diagnosed with Meniere’s disease and that 50,000 cases are newly diagnosed each year.
Symptoms
Meniere’s disease symptoms include:
vertigo, with attacks lasting anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours
loss of hearing in the affected ear
tinnitus, or the sensation of ringing, in the affected ear
aural fullness, or the feeling that the ear is full or plugged
loss of balance
headaches
nausea, vomiting, and sweating caused by severe vertigo
Most people with Meniere’s disease don’t experience symptoms between episodes. So, many of these symptoms can be caused by other problems in the ear if they occur during a period with no attacks. Meniere’s disease may also be confused for other inner ear disorders, such as labyrinthitis.
Diagnosis
You and your doctor will talk about your symptoms and medical history. A series of diagnostic tests can check your balance and hearing. These might include:
Audiometric exam. This will find hearing loss in the affected ear.
Electronystagmogram. This evaluates your balance. You will be placed in a darkened room and have your eye movements measured as cool and warm air blows through your ear canal.
Electrocochleography. This measures fluid pressure in your inner ear.
Rotary chair testing. This lets your doctor see how eye movement affects your inner ear. You sit in a turning chair that’s controlled by a computer.
Vestibular evoked myogenic potential. This measures your reaction to sudden, loud noises.
Posturography. You stand barefoot on a platform that can move in several directions. You wear a harness that lets your doctor see how you respond when the platform moves in certain ways.
Video head impulse test. This uses video images to see how well you can focus and how your eyes respond to sudden movement.
Auditory brainstem response test. With this test, you wear headphones, and a computer measures your brain waves as you respond to different sounds.
Additional imaging tests. Your doctor also might recommend an MRI or CT scan.
Treatment
Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition with no cure. However, there are a range of treatments that can help with your symptoms, from medication to surgery for the most severe cases.
Medication
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help with the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. Medicines for motion sickness can ease symptoms of vertigo, nausea, and vomiting. If nausea and vomiting becomes an issue, your doctor may prescribe an antiemetic, or anti-nausea medication.
Physical therapy
Vestibular rehabilitation exercises can improve symptoms of vertigo. These exercises help to train your brain to account for the difference in balance between your two ears. A physical therapist can teach you these exercises.
Surgery
Most people with Meniere’s disease don’t require surgery, but it’s an option for those who have severe attacks and haven’t had success with other treatments.
Lifestyle changes, aside from dietary ones, that may help improve your symptoms include, resting during vertigo attacks, eating regularly, to help regulate fluids in your body and managing stress and anxiety through psychotherapy or medication. It’s also important to quit smoking and to avoid any allergens. Both nicotine and allergies can make the symptoms of Meniere’s disease worse.
