Meniere’s Disease
Ménière’s disease (or idiopathicendolymphatic hydrops) is an inner ear disorder. It is the chief cause of dizziness in inner ear. The symptoms include vertigo (sensation of losing balance and falling), tinnitus (booming, ringing, buzzing or roaring sensation in ears), fluctuation in hearing due to tinnitus, aural pressure in the affected ear. Other symptoms include extreme sweating and uncontrollable eye motions. Tinnitus and hearing loss may occur in the ear that has been affected.
Vertigo comes often suddenly lasting for hours or days. Severe attack may subside but it may take weeks to regain balance and improve hearing. The disease is named after a French physician, Prosper Meniere and involves a rise in the fluid pressure in inner ear. Attacks can be disturbing and also disabling, however they are not fatal in nature.
Self-care and treatment is important in such cases. A severe vertigo attack may result into spinning, losing balance, vomiting and nausea. It leads to exhaustion and need for adequate rest. The attack can be brief shock-like or continuous. In this case otolith organs (saccule and utricle) undergo a mechanical deformation, which is too quick. This happens without any warning and can result into severe injury; hence this condition completely incapacitates a person. It activates vestibular reflexes; where in most cases the only way to treat the disorder is through destructive treatment (e.g. nerve section of vestibule or labyrinthectomy).
These attacks may occur in groups of several in short span of time. Between the attacks, symptoms may be absent but still patient may perceive mild imbalance or tinnitus. The cause of this disorder has not been established so far, however research has attributed it to diseases in cochlear and vestibular systems; labyrinth ruptures at parts, causing fluid to mix in various compartments of the ear; scar tissue, causing labyrinth blockage; viral infection; problems in the blood vessel; medications such as antibiotics, chemotherapy agents etc, and presence of fats or high cholesterol in blood.
Treatment of the disease is really important. Meclizine, an antivert which are medications to fight vertigo, can help in reducing spinning sensation. Vomiting and nausea can be controlled by drugs like prochlorperazine. Alprazom (xanax) helps in relieving anxiety. The patient should not consume foods high in salt or sugar, and chocolate should be restricted. Medications that amplify the symptoms should be avoided and bed rest is prescribed during acute vertigo attacks. Exercise therapy can also be chosen for the rehabilitation of the inner ear. Hearing aid can be used in case of excessive hearing loss.
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