Meniere's disease
About one person in 2000 suffers from the very unpleasant condition known as Meniere's disease.
Those affected experience 4 typical symptoms:
- episodic vertigo (coming and going attacks of dizziness or giddiness);
- increasing deafness;
- tinnitus (a constant noise in one ear, often described as a buzzing or humming sound); and
- a sensation of fullness in the ear.
These symptoms are distressing and can make life very miserable for those affected.
The disease is thought to be due to an increase in the pressure of the fluid contained in the tiny labyrinth, a part of the inner ear.
The attacks of vertigo may occur only once or twice a year, but with progression in severe forms of the disease, attacks may occur every week or even every few days. They usually last a few hours and are often associated with sweating, weakness, faintness and vomiting. A feeling of the room ‘spinning round’ is often described.
The deafness of Meniere's disease tends to get slowly worse, although usually only one side is affected.
For some people, tinnitus is perhaps the most distressing symptom. It is often drowned out by other noises but is very noticeable in a quiet situation. This can make going to sleep particularly difficult.
There is no cure for Meniere's disease. Drugs which improve circulation to the ear may help, as may drugs that reduce fluid (diuretics). Avoiding nicotine and caffeine, as well as eating a salt-reduced diet, will reduce many people's attacks.
In severe cases intricate surgery to the inner ear has been of benefit. More recently, injections of an antibiotic called gentamicin into the inner ear space have been used to control vertigo.
Last Reviewed: 05 November 2008
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