Meniere’s Disease is a disease of the inner ear. The cause is unknown and the disease is incurable. Meniere’s is characterized by four main symptoms, although those diagnosed with Atypical Meniere’s may not have all symptoms.
- Violent rotational vertigo affecting balance
- Tinnitus — ringing or roaring in the ears
- Aural fullness — sensation of pressure in the ear
- Fluctuating hearing loss that can become permanent
Of all of the Meniere’s disease’s symptoms, vertigo is usually the most troublesome. It is commonly produced by disorders of the inner ear, but may also occur in central nervous system disorders. Vertigo may last for 20 minutes to two hours or longer. During attacks, patients are usually unable to perform activities normal to their work or home life. Sleepiness may follow for several hours, and the off-balance sensation may last for days. The symptoms of Meniere’s disease may be only a minor nuisance, or can become disabling, especially if the attacks of vertigo are severe, frequent, and occur without warning.
The physician will take a history of the frequency, duration, severity, and character of your attacks, the duration of hearing loss or whether it has been changing, and whether you have had tinnitus or fullness in either or both ears. You may be asked whether there is history of syphilis, mumps, or other serious infections, inflammations of the eye, an autoimmune disorder or allergy, or ear surgery. You may be asked questions about your general health, such as whether you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, thyroid, and neurological or emotional disorders. Tests may be ordered to look for these problems in certain cases. When the history has been completed, diagnostic tests will check your hearing and balance functions. They may include:
- A hearing test to determine hearing loss, a major symptom of Meniere’s.
- A balance test (ENG or rotational testing) to evaluate balance function.
- Electrocochleography (ECoG) to detect increased inner ear pressure.
The above information was used with permission from Meniere’s Resources, Inc.
For more information about Meniere’s disease and other vestibular disorders please visit the non-profit organizations listed below:
www.menieresresources.org
www.vestibular.org
www.menieres.org
