Meniere's Disease: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Meniere's disease is a chronic disorder affecting the inner ear responsible for hearing and balance, and usually affects one ear. It is characterized by a distinctive set of symptoms that come together in attacks: severe vertigo (a sensation that the surroundings are spinning) that may last from minutes to hours, ringing in the ear, fluctuating hearing loss that comes and goes, and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the affected ear.

The cause is thought to be an abnormal buildup of fluid inside the inner ear, affecting balance and hearing signals, but the exact cause of this buildup is not fully certain and genetic, immune, and other factors may be involved. Attacks come unpredictably and vary in frequency and severity, may be preceded by a feeling of fullness or increased tinnitus, and a severe attack is disabling and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Meniere's disease is a chronic condition with no definitive cure yet, but it is well manageable to limit attacks and their impact. Treatment usually begins with lifestyle measures, most importantly reducing dietary salt (because it affects fluid balance), and reducing caffeine, alcohol, and smoking and managing stress. Certain medications help ease vertigo and nausea during an attack, and other preventive medications reduce their frequency. In severe resistant cases, there are advanced procedures and treatments determined by the ENT specialist. Correct diagnosis is important because vertigo symptoms may resemble other conditions.

• Severe vertigo attacks from minutes to hours.
• Ringing in the affected ear.
• Fluctuating hearing loss that comes and goes.
• A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear.
• Nausea and vomiting during a severe attack.

• Abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear (the leading hypothesis).
• The exact cause is uncertain.
• Genetic, immune, and viral factors may be involved.

• Clinical assessment of the recurrent characteristic symptoms.
• A hearing test to detect the fluctuating loss.
• Balance tests and imaging to rule out other causes.

Lifestyle (the cornerstone)

• Reducing dietary salt, reducing caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, and managing stress.

Medication

• Medications to ease vertigo and nausea during an attack.
• Preventive medications and diuretics to reduce attack frequency.

Resistant cases

• Advanced procedures and treatments determined by the ENT specialist.

This content is educational and does not replace medical advice.

• Permanent gradual hearing loss over time in the affected ear.
• Risk of falls and injuries during attacks.
• Anxiety and impact on work and daily life.

• Reducing salt, caffeine, and alcohol to limit attacks.
• Managing stress and regular sleep.
• Adhering to preventive treatment and doctor follow-up.