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Meniere's disease

Ménière's disease (or syndrome, since its cause is unknown) was first described by French physician Prosper Ménière in 1861. It is a balance disorder of the inner ear. more...

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Symptoms

The symptoms of Meniere's are variable; not all sufferers experience the same symptoms. However, four symptoms are considered to comprise so-called "classic Meniere's":

  • periodic episodes of rotary vertigo (the abnormal sensation of movement) or dizziness
  • fluctuating, progressive, unilateral (in one ear) or bilateral (in both ears) hearing loss, often in the lower frequency ranges
  • unilateral or bilateral tinnitus (the perception of noises, often ringing, roaring, or whooshing), sometimes variable
  • a sensation of fullness or pressure in one or both ears

Meniere's often begins with one symptom, and gradually progresses. A diagnosis may be made in the absence of all four classic symptoms.

Attacks of vertigo can be severe, incapacitating, and unpredictable. In some patients, attacks of vertigo can last for hours or days, and may be accompanied by an increase in the loudness of tinnitus and temporary hearing loss in the affected ear(s). Hearing may improve after an attack, but often becomes progressively worse. Vertigo attacks are sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sweating.

Some sufferers experience what are informally known as "drop attacks" -- a sudden, severe attack of dizziness or vertigo that causes the sufferer, if not seated, to fall. Some patients may find it impossible to get up for some time, until the attack passes or medication takes effect. There is also the risk of injury from falling.

In addition to low frequency hearing loss, sounds can seem tinny or distorted, and patients can experience unusual sensitivity to loud noises. Some sufferers also experience nystagmus, or uncontrollable rhythmical and jerky eye movements, usually in the horizontal plane.

Other symptoms include so-called "brain fog" (temporary loss of short term memory, forgetfulness, and confusion), deafness, exhaustion and drowsiness, headaches, vision problems, and depression.

Cause

The exact cause of Ménière's disease is not known, but it is believed to be related to endolymphatic hydrops or excess fluid in the inner ear. It is thought that endolymphatic fluid bursts from its normal channels in the ear and flows into other areas causing damage. This may be related to swelling of the endolymphatic sac or other issues in the vestibular system of the inner ear, which is responsible for the body's sense of balance. The symptoms may occur in the presence of a middle ear infection, head trauma or an upper respiratory tract infection, or by using aspirin, smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. They may be further exacerbated by excessive consumption of caffeine and even salt in some patients. Meniere's has many diseases that mimic it. The diagnosis is usually established by clinical findings and medical history. However, a detailed oto-neurological examination, audiometry and even head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan should be performed to exclude a tumour of the cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve) which would cause similar symptoms. Because Meniere's is idiopathic without an understood cause it is only diagnosed when all other causes have been ruled out.

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The Official Patient's Sourcebook On Meniere's Disease: Directory For The Internet Age $32.71 Meniere's Disease: A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, And Annotated Research Guide To Internet References $39.41
Meniere's Disease : What you need to know $192.64 Proto-oncogene Raf-1 as an autoantigen in Meniere's disease : An article from: The Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology $10.00
Vestibular surgery for Meniere's disease in the elderly: A review of techniques and indications : An article from: Ear, Nose & Throat Journal $20.00 Vascular occlusion in the endolymphatic sac in Meniere's disease : An article from: The Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology $10.00
Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine : Méni&eacut e;re's disease $5.99 Intratympanic steroid perfusion for the treatment of Meniere's disease: A retrospective study : An article from: Ear, Nose & Throat Journal $20.00
Meniere's and Its Management $91.00 The Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America (Meniere's Disease, 13:4 November 1980) $12.95

Obstructing lesions of the endolymphatic sac and duct mimicking Meniere's disease
Abstract In this retrospective case series and literature review, we demonstrate that temporal bone lesions that obstruct the endolymphatic sac or ...
Intratympanic steroid perfusion for the treatment of Meniere's disease: a retrospective study
Abstract We conducted a retrospective outcomes review of the charts of 22 patients with Meniere's disease who were treated with intratympanic perfusion ...
Vestibular findings in a patient with a history of tinnitus before developing Meniere's disease - Vestibulology Clinic - Brief Article
A 44-year-old man came to the office with a 3-year history of intermittent tinnitus in his right ear and intermittent aural fullness bilaterally. The ...
Changing trends in the surgical treatment of Meniere's disease: Results of a 10-year survey - Original Article
Abstract In order to discern trends in surgical procedures used to treat Meniere's disease in the United States during the 1990s, we mailed a questionnaire ...
Demyelination of vestibular nerve axons in unilateral Meniere's disease
Abstract We conducted a study to determine whether vestibular nerves in patients with unilateral Meniere's disease whose symptoms are refractory to ...
Meniere's disease
Meniere's disease is a condition characterized by recurring vertigo (dizziness), hearing loss, and tinnitus (a roaring, buzzing or ringing sound in the ...
Acupuncture and moxibustion: acupuncture for Meniere's disease
Keywords: Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Meniere's disease, dizziness, vertigo [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Meniere's disease is a disorder characterized ...
Parkinson's disease, Meniere's syndrome, Trigeminal neuralgia and Bell's palsy: One cause, one correction
Abstract I currently have 16 Meniere's syndrome, two Parkinson's disease, two Trigeminal neuralgia and two Bell's palsy patients under my care. They all ...

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