Vertigo and Ear clinic

A look on Meniere's disease

This disorder of the inner ear is known as Meniere's disease. It can cause severe dizziness, a roaring sound in your ears called tinnitus, hearing loss that comes and goes and the feeling of ear pressure or pain. It usually affects just one ear. It is a common cause of hearing loss. Attacks of dizziness may come on suddenly or after a short period of tinnitus or muffled hearing. These attacks vary from person to person. Some people have single attacks of dizziness once, while others may have many attacks close together over several days. Some people with Meniere's disease have ‘drop attacks’ during which the dizziness is so bad they lose their balance and fall. Scientists don't yet know the cause. They think that it has to do with the fluid levels or the mixing of fluids in the canals of your inner ear. Doctors diagnose it based on a physical exam and your symptoms. A hearing test can check to see how it has affected your hearing.

Your doctor will do Neurological Evaluation where he will ask questions about your symptoms and ask you to describe what happens when you have an attack. Your doctor will want to rule out other ear problems, so he or she may do some tests. These tests might include hearing and blood tests, an MRI or CT scan or special tests that check your balance and how well your ears work. Treatments include medicines to control dizziness, limiting salt in your diet, and taking water pills. A device that fits into the outer ear and delivers air pulses to the middle ear can help. Severe cases may require surgery. This is how Meniere’s disease is dealt with, helping the patients achieve a better living.