The cause of Meniere's disease is poorly understood at best; it's believed to be a disorder of fluid in the inner ear. The effects of this disease may range from inconvenient to debilitating. If you suspect you might have Meniere's disease contact your doctor immediately, as vertigo or other Meniere's symptoms may signal other serious conditions.
Definition
According to the University of Minnesota's Department of Otolaryngoloy Health-Related Library, Meniere's disease "is defined as the symptom complex of; episodic vertigo... tinnitus... fluctuating hearing loss... and aural pressure." While each of these symptoms may not indicate Meniere's disease on their own, their presentation as a cluster may typically be diagnosed as Meniere's disease. The particular pattern of symptoms each individual experiences due to Meniere's disease may vary quite a bit; for example you may have frequent tinnitus but only mild and occasional episodes of the other symptoms.
Complications
Complications that may result from Meniere's disease include falls, accidents, depression or anxiety, time away from work or family due to the need to rest during an attack, and embarrassment. Sometimes physical therapy may help patients with Meniere's cope with the symptoms of the disease, increasing balance and activity levels, which in turn may help increase self-esteem and reduce embarrassment.
Coping
There is no known cure for Meniere's disease. Those who suffer from it may adapt certain lifestyle changes, however, to minimize its impact. These include not operating motor vehicles or heavy machinery during a Meniere's attack, especially if it involves vertigo. One should sit or lay down right away when dizziness or vertigo presents. Certain things may make your symptoms worse during an attack; these include sudden movement, bright lights, watching television, reading, standing and walking. Do your best to rest quietly and avoid these stimuli when possible.
Treatment
Non-surgical medical treatment of Meniere's disease may include taking diuretics and following a low-salt, monosodium glutamate-free diet, both of which help to reduce the amount of fluid in the inner ear. Motion sickness or anti-nausea medications may be administered to help treat the symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, nausea and vomiting. Some physicians also identify stress and anxiety, caffeine and smoking as possible triggers for a Meniere's attack or as stimuli that may worsen an attack, and recommend reducing or eliminating them as much as possible.
Surgery
Surgical remedies for Meniere's disease include removing part or all of the inner ear, which eliminates that ear's function both for balance and for hearing. A surgeon may also cut the vestibular nerve to correct vertigo without eliminating hearing, or modify the endolymphatic sac in the inner ear to produce less fluid or absorb more.
