2. DEFINATION
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can
lead to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In most
cases, Meniere's disease affects only one ear.
3. CAUSES
Although there is no exact cause of Meniere's,
Abnormal fluid in the inner ear.
Potential causes or triggers of Meniere's disease include:
Head injury
Infection to the inner or middle ear
Allergies
Alcohol use
Stress
Side effects of certain medications
Smoking
Stress or anxiety
Fatigue
4. Family history of the disease
Respiratory infection
Recent viral illness
Abnormal immune response
5.
6.
7. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Vertigo, with attacks lasting anywhere from a few minutes to
24 hours
Loss of hearing in the affected ear
Tinnitus, or the sensation of ringing, in the affected ear
Aural fullness, or the feeling that the ear is full or plugged
Loss of balance
Headaches
Nausea, vomiting, and sweating caused by severe vertigo
8. STAGES OF MENIERE'S DISEASE AND DIAGNOSIS
Meniere's disease commonly affects people in various stages, with
symptoms developing over time.
Early stage: During this time, a person will experience sudden and often
out-of-the-blue episodes of vertigo that last anywhere from 20 minutes to an
entire day. An person's ear may feel blocked or full, and they may have
some hearing loss, which typically goes away after the episode fades. It is
also common to feel the effects of tinnitus.
Middle stage: Symptoms of vertigo tend to become less severe during this
stage, while hearing loss and tinnitus will increase in severity. Many people
will also experience long-term remission (the disease goes away) that can
last several months.
9. Late stage: During the late stages of Meniere's disease, patients will not
suffer from vertigo as often, and some people will be relieved from it
forever. However, tinnitus and hearing loss will likely get progressively
worse, and people will likely experience unsteady balance regularly. Most
people at this stage feel unstable in dark conditions,
10. COMPLICATIONS
Anxiety regarding symptoms.
Accidents due to vertigo spells.
Disability due to unpredictable vertigo.
Progressive imbalance and deafness.
Intractable tinnitus
11. DIAGNOSIS
Signs symptoms and medical history.
A series of diagnostic tests can check your balance and hearing.
These might include:
Hearing assessment
Balance assessment -videonystagmography (VNG), rotary-chair
testing. Video head impulse test (vhit).
Electronystagmogram: an eng evaluates your balance. You will be placed in
a darkened room and have your eye movements measured as cool and warm
air blows through your ear canal.
Electrocochleography: this measures fluid pressure in your inner ear.
Additional imaging tests: an MRI or CT scan
12. Treatment
No cure exists for Meniere's disease. Treatment can help reduce the severity
and frequency of vertigo episodes. But, unfortunately, there aren't any
treatments for the hearing loss.
Medications for vertigo
Motion sickness medications, such as meclizine or diazepam (Valium),
may reduce the spinning sensation and help control nausea and vomiting.
Anti-nausea medications, such as promethazine, might control nausea and
vomiting during an episode of vertigo.
Long-term medication use
Diuretic
13. Middle ear injections
Medications injected into the middle ear, and then absorbed into the inner
ear, may improve vertigo symptoms.
Gentamicin, an antibiotic that's toxic to your inner ear, reduces the
balancing function of ear, and your other ear assumes responsibility for
balance. There is a risk, however, of further hearing loss.
Steroids, such as dexamethasone, also may help control vertigo attacks in
some people. Although dexamethasone may be slightly less effective than
gentamicin, it's less likely than gentamicin to cause further hearing loss
14. SURGERY
If vertigo attacks associated with Meniere's disease are severe and debilitating and
other treatments don't help, surgery might be an option. Procedures include:
Endolymphatic sac procedure. The endolymphatic sac plays a role in regulating
inner ear fluid levels. During the procedure, the endolymphatic sac is
decompressed, which can alleviate excess fluid levels. In some cases, this
procedure is coupled with the placement of a shunt, a tube that drains excess fluid
from inner ear.
Labyrinthectomy. With this procedure, the surgeon removes the balance portion
of the inner ear, thereby removing both balance and hearing function from the
affected ear. This procedure is performed only if you already have near-total or
total hearing loss in your affected ear.
Vestibular nerve section. This procedure involves cutting the nerve that connects
balance and movement sensors in your inner ear to the brain (vestibular nerve).
15.
16. LIFE STYLE CHANGES
Sit or lie down when you feel dizzy. During an episode of vertigo, avoid things
that can make signs and symptoms worse, such as sudden movement, bright lights,
watching television or reading.
Rest during and after attacks. Don't rush to return to normal activities.
Be aware you might lose your balance. Falling could lead to serious injury. Use
good lighting if you get up in the night. A cane for walking might help with stability
if you have chronic balance problems.
To avoid triggering a vertigo attack, try the following.
Limit salt. Consuming foods and beverages high in salt can increase fluid
retention. For overall health, aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day.
Limit caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. These substances can affect the fluid balance