Meniere's Disease - Vertigo - Tinnitus - Dizziness - Endolymphatic Hydrops - Inner Ear Pressure - Labyrinthitis
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What is Meniere's?
What is Menieres?
Here we will explain the basics of Meniere’s Disease and give you some insight as to what it means for the sufferer.
Firstly this condition is not technically a disease as such. It is what is known as an 'idiopathic' condition. A medical dictionary would define this as 'self originated' or of an 'unknown cause'. Basically they do not know what causes it. But it is a degenerative condition, meaning it gets worse with time.
It is a disorder of the inner ear, where it is believed that a build up of fluid puts pressure on the hearing and balance nerves. The fluid gathers in the 'endolymphatic sac' at the end of the labyrinth that is the inner ear. The sac balloons, which results in the pressure on the nerves. You may hear this referred to as 'endolymphatic hydrops'. Experts think that the sac ruptures, causing two inner ear fluids that should be kept separate to mix, causing the worst symptoms of Meniere’s.
This is what they “believe” happens, but there is no way for sure to find out as this part of the ear is impossible to see.
The theories as to the cause of Meniere’s and the focus of scientific investigation include possibilities such as noise pollution, viral infections, middle ear infections, head injuries, syphilis, bacterial infections, stress, fatigue, alcohol, smoking and allergies. None of these have been clinically proven yet.
There are many other possible ‘triggers' that seem to have a common theme among sufferers. (see the ‘Triggers and what to do about them’ page)
What does all this mean for the actual sufferer? Well, this condition is not fatal, nor is it contagious. It is a chronic condition however. It seems to affect everyone slightly differently and can range from troublesome at best to totally debilitating and terrifying at worst. Some people only experience one or two symptoms; others the whole lot.
If there is such a thing, classic symptoms of Meniere’s include: fullness in the ear, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, vertigo (shocking abnormal sense of movement, usually spinning uncontrollably) and hearing loss.
Meniere’s sufferers will talk about brain fog, disorientation, confusion, inability to concentrate, sudden exhaustion, light sensitivity and noise sensitivity. It is a very lonely condition to have to live with and can lead to depression and a sense of hopelessness.
A bout of vertigo can lead to severe exhaustion and the sufferer can be incapacitated for the rest of the day afterwards, sometimes longer. This makes holding down a job very difficult and people often find themselves having to give up work altogether. Some are even afraid to go out of the house alone for fear of what may happen. Even the lights and aisles of the supermarket may spark attacks. It is a miserable existence.
Anybody can get Meniere's, male or female, young children to old age pensioners.
Existing treatments vary from drugs like antihistamines, anticholinergics, sedatives, anti-emetic agents, diazapam or diuretics, to surgery like endolymphatic shunt implants, vestibular nerve sections and various steroid injections into the ear. All of these are designed to relieve symptoms. They are not cures. They do not tackle the root cause.
For more detailed information about Meniere's Disease please click here.
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