Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear. This condition may result from accumulation of fluid that causes dizziness and a loud irritating sound, or tinnitus. Nausea, temporary hearing loss and poor balance are problems this condition causes, with episodes typically lasting 20 minutes or longer. The severity of the disease varies from a minor annoyance to a debilitating disorder. Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch impressionist artist, suffered from Meniere's before he committed suicide, according to the "Journal of the American Medical Association." No cure is known for Meniere's. Doctors often prescribe a low-sodium diet for symptom relief.
Table Salt
The purpose of reducing sodium from the diet is to improve fluid balance in the body, since an excess may be the cause of Meniere's. In general, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends consuming no more than 2,400 mg of sodium each day, which is about a teaspoon. Using a salt substitute may be a healthier option.
Processed Foods
Sodium is an ingredient used as a preservative in processed foods, such as frozen meals, canned soups and packaged baked goods that have a long shelf life. It also masks the taste of metal in canned, carbonated soft drinks, and adds and enhances flavor. Processed foods contribute an estimated 75 percent of the sodium intake in the standard American diet, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Soy Sauce and MSG
One meal at an Asian restaurant can easily contribute the recommended sodium intake for a entire day. A tablespoon of soy sauce provides an estimated 1,000 mg of sodium. Monosodium glutamate, a type of sodium often added to Chinese food, causes the fluid retention people with Meniere's need to avoid. Ask the server if the food contains MSG, and request a meal without it, if necessary.
Cured Meats
Another concentrated source of sodium in the diet is cured meats, including ham, bacon, sausage, pepperoni and beef jerky. Proscuitto, an Italian pork product, is also cured. Eliminating or reducing these foods in the diet is necessary to keep the sodium in your diet balanced.
