Meniere'S Disease Treatment

Meniere's Disease Treatment

Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that affects about 615,000 people in the United States. It is characterized by vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and a feeling of pressure in the ear. People suffering from Meniere's disease usually experience a worsening of symptoms over time, though the disease is not fatal. There is no known cure for Meniere's, but there are a variety of options available to lessen a patient's symptoms (see Reference 1).

Theories/Speculation

Treatment for most diseases is dependent upon the cause of the disease. The Meniere's Disease Information Center reports that because most people suffering from the condition report acute symptoms, many doctors believe that the endolymphatic fluid leaking into and contaminating the perilymphatic fluid of the inner ear is responsible for Meniere's. Some doctors and researchers believe the condition could be the result of a viral infection, an autoimmune condition or pressure on a nerve by a blood vessel. There's no definitive answer as to what causes Meniere's and as such, the treatments are varied. Patients respond to various treatments with differing levels of symptom relief (see Resource 2).

Types

Treatments that have been found to be successful in some patients include diet and lifestyle changes, vitamins and supplements, alternative treatment options such as chiropractic care, prescription medications and surgical procedures. Most people suffering from Meniere's use a combination of treatment methods to achieve the highest level of symptom relief.

Benefits

Diet and lifestyle changes can have a profound effect on symptom relief, and are usually fairly easy to implement. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and stress are all important in managing Meniere's symptoms. A low-sodium diet can help reduce fluids in the body, thus helping eliminate excessive endolymphatic fluid. Though there is no proven evidence to support the use of herbs and supplements in the treatment of Meniere's, supplements such as ginkgo biloba and niacin are said to improve blood flow to the head, and some patients have reported symptom relief when using these supplements. Ginger root is a commonly used herb to relieve the nausea associated with vertigo. Alternative treatment options such as chiropractic care and acupuncture have also been successful in some patients. A variety of prescription medications are used to treat the various symptoms of Meniere's. Diuretics are often used in conjunction with a low-sodium diet to reduce endolymphatic fluid. Valium and Antivert have also been used to reduce the vertigo that many patients experience. Lidocaine has been used to treat tinnitus in many Meniere's sufferers. Cases of Meniere's Disease that are believed to have originated from an autoimmune condition are sometimes treated with immunosuppressant drugs. Surgical treatments are usually used as a last resort and can reduce vertigo by cutting nerves in the inner ear or by removing part or all of the inner ear.