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Meniere' s Disease
Medical Questions » Meniere' s Disease
| Name: Meniere' s Disease |
| Also known as: |
| A syndrome causing dizziness, deafness and a constant noise in the ears. |
Causes of Meniere' s Disease
The inner ear contains both the hearing and balance mechanisms. The latter consists of three tiny semicircular canals full of fluid. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but there is a build-up of pressure inside the hearing and balance mechanisms, and it may occur after a head injury or ear infection. More common in men and with advancing age. Avoiding prolonged episodes of loud noise (eg. jet engines, rock bands) reduces the incidence. |
Symptoms of Meniere' s Disease
The most distressing symptom is a constant high-pitched ringing noise (tinnitus) in the ear. Patients also have attacks of dizziness and nausea that come and go for no apparent reason, and a slowly progressive and permanent deafness. Other symptoms may include sweating, nausea and vomiting. |
Tests for Meniere' s Disease
No specific tests can diagnose the disease. |
Treatment for Meniere' s Disease
Numerous medications may be tried including betahistine (increases the blood supply to the inner ear), antihistamines, diuretics, prochlorperazine, amitriptyline and chlorpromazine. None have more than a 50-50 chance of success. A tinnitus masker is a hearing-aid device that emits a constant tone that counteracts the noise already heard in the ear. Micro surgical techniques involve draining the high-pressure fluid from the affected parts of the inner ear, or as a last resort destroying the auditory nerve, leaving the patient deaf in that ear but without the distressing buzz saw noise.
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Complications of Meniere' s Disease of its treatment
None serious. |
Likely Outcome of Meniere' s Disease
No cure and treatment is not very satisfactory, but some cases settle spontaneously. |
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