Meniere's disease
Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes problems with hearing and balance.
Episodes of Meniere’s disease come on suddenly, usually with no warning. You might experience:
- Dizziness, or vertigo. You might feel like the room is spinning, and you might lose your balance. This feeling can last for 15 or 20 minutes, or for hours. Sometimes this dizzy feeling causes nausea or vomiting.
- Hearing loss in one or both ears. Hearing usually improves between attacks of the disease, but gets worse over time.
- Tinnitus, a roaring, ringing, or buzzing in your ear.
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Uncontrollable eye movements
Treatment
Meniere’s disease is diagnosed using a few different examinations and tests. Since other conditions can cause similar symptoms to Meniere’s disease, it’s important to get the right diagnosis. There is no cure for Meniere’s disease, but there are ways to deal with your symptoms.
- Eat a low-salt diet.
- Manage stress levels.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol.
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat a healthful diet, and don’t overeat.
- Get enough sleep.
- Exercise regularly, but don’t overdo it.
Your doctor can prescribe medicines to help with nausea and vomiting. If your symptoms are severe, and your prescriptions don’t help, your doctor might suggest ear surgery.
Our Physicians
Rex ENT Specialists can help you deal with the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. Dr. John A. Garside, M.D., specializes in treating Meniere’s disease and other ear, nose and throat disorders in adults and children.
Resources
To find out more about Meniere’s disease, visit the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
