Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder characterized by dizziness and abnormal ear sensations. It usually affects only one ear and most commonly occurs in people in their 40s to 50s. The disorder is chronic, which means that it is long-lasting, so treatment usually consists of medications that can be taken long-term, such as diuretics.
Cause of Meniere's Disease
The inner portion of the ear is called the labyrinth. The labyrinth contains the portions of the ear that are responsible for balance. In addition, the labyrinth also contains a fluid called endolymph. When you move, the endolymph in your ear also moves, signaling receptors in the labyrinth that determine your body position. Meniere’s disease occurs when the endolymph increases in volume. The increase in volume sends abnormal signals about movement and body position, causing the symptoms of Meniere’s disease.
Symptoms
One of the most common symptoms of Meniere’s disease is vertigo, which is characterized by spinning sensations and loss of balance. MayoClinic.com notes that episodes of vertigo may last a few minutes or the whole day. Severe vertigo can also lead to nausea and vomiting. Another common symptom of Meniere’s disease is tinnitus, which is an abnormal perception of ringing, clicking or buzzing in the ear. Those with Meniere’s disease may also experience hearing loss and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Diuretics
Diuretics help reduce the amount of fluid in your body by decreasing the amount of water that your body is able to retain. In addition, diuretics stimulate urination, which removes fluid from your body as well. The removal of fluid from the body results in decreased volume and pressure in your inner ear. Because Meniere’s disease occurs as a result of abnormal fluid volume in the ear, the removal of this fluid can significantly reduce symptoms.
Considerations
When you urinate, you lose important electrolytes, such as potassium. Because diuretics make you urinate more often, it is necessary to increase your dietary intake of potassium in order to keep the electrolytes in your body balanced. MayoClinic.com recommends consuming three to four more servings of potassium rich foods every week. The richest sources of potassium include bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, spinach and sweet potatoes.
Other Treatment
In addition to diuretics, there are a variety of other medications that may be prescribed to treat those with vertigo. Anti-nausea medications and motion sickness medications may help reduce dizziness and nausea associated with Meniere’s disease. Antibiotics may also be used to reduce the balancing function of the ear, which can reduce severity of attacks. If diuretics and medications cannot successfully control vertigo, surgery may be necessary to correct the condition. Surgery may involve cutting the nerve that controls balance or removing all or part of the inner ear.
