What is Ménière's Disease?

Ménière's is a Condition of the Inner Ear That Causes Hearing Loss.

Feb 25, 2009 Nicci Talbot

Ménière's is a long-term disorder of the inner ear that affects your hearing, balance and quality of life. This article explores causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Ménière’s is a disease of the inner ear. The ear is divided into three different parts - inner, middle and outer, which are responsible for different things. The inner part consists of tubes of fluid, which control our hearing and balance. Ménière's causes cell damage to the inner ear. It is a gradual disorder, initially affecting one ear.

Causes of Ménière’s Disease

According to the Ménière's Society the following can trigger it:-

Autoimmune conditions, viral infections or allergies.
An imbalance in salt and potassium in the inner ear fluid.
By diseases that affect the blood vessels in the inner ear.
Hereditary factors.
It has been linked to migraines.

Symptoms of Ménière’s Disease

The main symptoms are tinnitus, vertigo, nausea and a steady loss of hearing. Often, a sufferer will have ‘attacks’ of vertigo, which can be short-lived or several hours long, occurring once or repeatedly. These are unpredictable and disabling, which makes the condition stressful and difficult to cope with. A sufferer may become anxious, depressed and fearful of every day activities such as driving in case they bring on an attack. Symptoms will change as the condition develops and can be affected by stressful situations or activities.

It’s important to seek medical advice if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, as there are various methods of treatment and support. There is no specific test for Ménière’s disease but you can be assessed for hearing and balance.

Treatment for Ménière’s Disease

Ménière’s is a slow, progressive disease so it’s possible to have a day-to-day management plan in place. Speak to your GP initially for advice and to rule out any other health conditions that may be causing your symptoms. Here’s an outline of the various treatment methods: -

Drugs can help to control sickness or vertigo during an attack. Betahistamine (Serc) is a drug that helps to reduce pressure build-up, reducing the severity of an attack. Sedatives to help control nausea are also available.
Hearing aids – your GP can refer you to a specialist who can advise on hearing loss and suitable aids.
Sound therapy – Music CDs or noise generators can help with tinnitus.
‘Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises’ can help with balance problems in later stages of Ménières’s.
Counselling and support – this is imperative in helping you deal with Ménière’s on a day-to-day basis. It can help you reassess how you feel about the condition – for example, seeing tinnitus as part of you rather than an external thing that you are fighting against.
Surgery – there are various forms of surgery that can help with pressure in the inner ear and vertigo.
Nutrition – research has shown that a diet low in salt can help prevent attacks of vertigo.
Adapting your lifestyle – reducing stress, changing jobs, relaxation, regular exercise and complementary therapies can help.

Support groups such as the Ménière’s Society or Tinnitus Society are a useful resource for the latest information and treatments and can put you in touch with others in your area.

This article is for general information purposes only. Consult your health practitioner if you want specific guidance on a health issue.

The copyright of the article What is Ménière's Disease? in Women’s Health is owned by Nicci Talbot. Permission to republish What is Ménière's Disease? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.