The Low-Down on Meniere’s Disease

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I came across this comment left by Dottie on Monday:

‘I have bouts of sudden loss of balance. I have been diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease. It’s a horrible sudden thing: you just start spinning and can't walk without help because you are so dizzy… I can't drive because I do not know when one of these episodes will hit me. I have lost my independence… The medical community seems to give little help. It is debilitating and it’s hard to go on some days. If there is someone out there to help us suffering from this please write in.’

So let’s take a closer look at this condition.

Simple facts about Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s Disease (MD) is a rare and unpredictable disease that affects a part of the inner ear known as the labyrinth. The labyrinth is a system of tiny fluid-filled channels that send signals of sound and balance to the brain. MD causes the fluid in the labyrinth to build up, disrupting both your balance and hearing.

Approximately one in 1,000 people develop MD and it most commonly affects people between 20 and 60 years of age. One in 10 people may inherit the condition, but having a relative with MD does not make you any more likely to develop it.

MD is a progressive condition, which means it will gradually get worse the longer you have it. With onset the disease will normally affect one ear, but in 30 per cent of cases symptoms will progress to both ears. Hearing usually returns to normal after an attack, but repeated pressure increases can cause serious damage to the hearing cells, which could result in permanent hearing-loss in later stages of the disease.

The length and severity of attacks cannot be predicted. Attacks may be frequent, or occur only every few months. Sometimes, they can last for several minutes, while at other times they can last for as long as 24 hours.

Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease

Symptoms may be a combination of vertigo, tinnitus or hearing loss. Common symptoms and signs that are present in MD include:

* Spinning or whirling dizziness (also present in vertigo)

* Nausea or vomiting (also present in vertigo)

* Low-pitched ringing or hissing in the ear (also present in tinnitus)

* Pressure or fullness in the ear (also present in tinnitus)

* Temporary or permanent loss of hearing

* Sensitivity to noise

Some doctors say that MD "burns itself out," leading patients to mistakenly think that MD will simply fade away and that they will be "cured."

However, "burnout" refers to a condition where MD has progressed to the point where it has finally destroyed the entire (or nearly the entire) vestibular function (balance and sense of spatial orientation) in the affected ear. At the point of burnout, the patient has little or no vestibular function left and the body may or may not compensate in other ways. Burnout is therefore a progression and not a cure.

The precise cause of MD is unknown. Research suggests that it could be triggered by a variety of factors, such as an infection or allergy. Treatment is focused on trying to ease and control the primary symptoms of vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss.

The good news is that MD is not fatal, and there are many possible "symptomatic" treatments with which patients can try to lessen or at least manage their symptoms. Some patients experience temporary spontaneous remissions of varying periods of time, but unfortunately there is no cure for MD.

Using medications such as diuretics, vestibular suppressants, motion sickness or anti-nausea medications can ease spinning sensations, nausea and vomiting associated with vertigo and MD. A hearing aid can also be beneficial. Surgical procedures such as an endolymphatic sac, labyrinthectomy or vestibular neurectomy are available but not only are they invasive but can also result in permanent damage to your hearing.

Herbal and homeopathic remedies can provide an effective natural alternative for relieving the symptoms of MD. These remedies are safe to use and address overall health and wellbeing. Herbs such as Ginkgo biloba and Rosmarinus officinale support the circulatory system, increase energy levels and promote mood balance. Homeopathic ingredients such as Cocculus indicus, Lobelia inflata, Gelsemium and Bryonia alba helps to support inner ear balance, relieves dizziness, nausea, and disorientation. It may also be worth your while to explore acupuncture as some doctors have noted that patients suffering from MD have responded exceptionally to acupuncture.

If you suffer from this condition it would be wise to discuss all symptomatic treatments with your doctor.

We’ll be sure to keep our eye on MD and if any new information about this disease comes to light we will be the first to let you know.

‘Meniere’s disease’, published online, nhs.uk/Conditions/Menieres-disease

Meniere’s Disease Information Centre, published online, menieresinfo.com

‘Alternative Treatments for Menieres Disease’, published online, tchain.com

‘Natural remedies and treatments for Meniere's Disease’, published online, newlook.nativeremedies.com