Meniere's disease is a condition of the inner ear that usually has its onset in individuals between ages 40 and 50. It is a chronic condition with a wide variety of treatment strategies aimed at minimizing symptoms. There is no clear cure for Meniere's disease, but most patients respond to treatment.
Symptoms
Meniere's disease is characterized by severe dizziness, ringing of the ears known as tinnitus, ear pain and transient hearing loss, according to Medline Plus. The dizziness or vertigo is described by most patients to be the sensation of spinning that can lead to unsteadiness in walking. Patients typically can have attacks that last 20 minutes to over 2 hours in duration, according to FamilyDoctor.org. The symptoms are typically in only one ear, but some patients have the disorder in both ears.
Cause
The exact cause of Meniere's disease is not known currently. The current thought is abnormal fluid volume or composition in the inner ear leads to malfunction of the inner ear. The inner ear is the body organ for hearing transmission and balance. According to the Mayo Clinic, triggers or causes of Meniere's disease include improper fluid drainage, head trauma, genetics, viral infection, allergens, and abnormalities in the immune system.
Vitamins
There is limited research in the field of vitamin supplementation to help improve the symptoms of Meniere's disease. Some patients have found that vitamin B-3 or niacin may improve the symptoms; however, there is little evidence in the medical literature to support niacin use, according to the Meniere's Disease Information Center website. Niacin therapy or supplementation should be discussed with a physician prior to starting therapy.
Minerals
The goal of dietary modification for Meniere's disease is to help reduce the amount of fluid retained by the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. The important mineral studied in Meniere's disease is salt or sodium. Sodium intake per day should not exceed 1,500 mg. When taken in excessive amounts, sodium can increase the total body fluid, and make symptoms worse. Avoiding monosodium glutamate, or MSG, can also help to reduce the amount of fluid retention. Patients typically take diuretics as a pharmaceutical intervention to decrease total body fluid and also ingest a low-sodium diet.
