Meniere Disease

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is Meniere disease? " пїЅ Meniere disease is a condition that causes problems with balance and hearing. It is sometimes called Menieres disease. пїЅ пїЅ

What causes Meniere disease? " пїЅ Meniere disease is caused by a build-up of fluid in the inside of the ear. But doctors are not sure why the fluid builds up. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of Meniere disease? " пїЅ People with Meniere disease have these 3 symptoms: пїЅ пїЅ

Vertigo " пїЅ This is the medical term for when people feel dizzy and like they are spinning, swaying, or tilting. People with vertigo might also feel like the room is moving around them. Some people feel sick (nausea) and throw up.
Tinnitus " пїЅ This is the medical term for when people hear a buzzing, ringing, or hissing noise in one or both ears. People with Meniere disease often say the noise sounds like listening to machinery or the inside of a seashell.
Hearing loss " пїЅ This symptom happens slowly, often over a period of 8 to 10 years.

Is there a test for Meniere disease? " пїЅ There is no test for Meniere, but there are tests for some of its symptoms. Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have Meniere disease by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam. пїЅ пїЅ

You will probably be tested for hearing loss and might be tested for balance problems. пїЅ пїЅ

Balance testing " пїЅ For one of these tests, you will have small devices called "electrodes " пїЅ put near your eyes to measure your eye movements while you move your head and eyes. For other tests, you sit in a special chair that spins, or you stand on a platform that moves. Special devices measure how your body responds to the movements.
A hearing test (also called "audiometry " пїЅ)

Your doctor might also do tests to make sure you do not have a different problem. These tests might include: пїЅ пїЅ

Blood tests to look for an infection or hormone problem, such as diabetes
An MRI of the head " пїЅ This is an imaging test that allows the doctor to see parts of your brain.

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? " пїЅ Yes. You might feel better if you avoid eating and drinking things that make your symptoms worse. These things can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Salt and salty foods
Monosodium glutamate (also called "MSG " пїЅ) " пїЅ This is a substance sometimes added to certain foods (such as Chinese food and packaged foods) to make them taste better.
Coffee, tea, sodas, or other drinks that have caffeine in them
Alcohol

You should also stop smoking, if you smoke. пїЅ пїЅ

How is Meniere disease treated? " пїЅ Treatments include: пїЅ пїЅ

Medicines to treat dizziness and nausea
Medicines to help with fluid or swelling in the ear
A hearing aid
Special exercises to help with your balance " пїЅ Your doctor might refer to you to a physical therapist (exercise expert) to teach you these exercises.
Medicines that go into your ear " пїЅ These are given as an injection (shot). Your doctor might recommend these if medicines taken in pill form do not work.
Surgery " пїЅ Your doctor might recommend surgery if your symptoms are so bad that you are not able to drive, work, or do active things you used to be able to do. But surgery might make your hearing worse.

Some patients say that they feel better taking special vitamins or herbal treatments. But there are no studies that prove these treatments are helpful, and some might be costly. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83065 Version 5.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Meniere Disease

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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