Do you suffer from dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues? You don’t have to learn to live with it.
As a Center of Specialty Care certified by the American Institute of Balance (AIB), we provide the most advanced evaluation and treatment for dizziness and balance problems for physicians and their patients in Utah and Southern Nevada.
What is Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s Disease is a long-term inner ear disorder. It is marked by episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the affected ear. These symptoms can vary in intensity and duration. They can cause significant discomfort and disruption to daily life. The exact cause of Meniere’s Disease isn’t fully understood. Still, it’s believed to involve issues with the fluid-filled chambers of the inner ear.
Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease
Dizziness
People with Meniere’s disease often feel like they are spinning or the world is spinning around them. This is called vertigo.
Ringing in the Ear
There might be a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ear called tinnitus.
Hearing Loss
They may have trouble hearing in one ear. Sometimes, the hearing gets worse over time.
Ear Fullness
The ear may feel full or blocked, like when you are on a plane. This can happen along with other symptoms like vertigo or hearing loss.
Balance Problems
When someone has Meniere’s disease, it affects their inner ear, which is important for balance. The inner ear sends signals to the brain to help us stay steady. In Meniere’s disease, extra fluid builds up in the inner ear. This fluid causes the signals to get mixed up, confusing the brain. As a result, the person might feel dizzy or like they’re spinning, which makes it hard to keep their balance.
Causes of Meniere’s Disease
The exact cause of Meniere’s Disease is unknown. Still, it likely involves problems in the inner ear, fluid buildup, and blood flow issues.
Fluid Buildup in the Inner Ear
One main theory is that Meniere’s Disease is linked to endolymphatic hydrops. It is an abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear. This excess fluid can upset the balance and pressure in the ear. It can cause symptoms like vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
Problems with Fluid Control
Changes in the fluid can upset the balance needed for normal inner ear function. Problems with absorbing and draining the fluid can also cause this imbalance.
Blood Flow Factors
Some experts think changes in blood flow to the inner ear may be a factor. If the inner ear cells don’t get enough blood, they can be damaged and stop working properly, causing symptoms.
Genetic Tendency
Some people might get Meniere’s Disease because of their genes. The disease is likely caused by a mix of genetic, physical, and environmental factors. However, the exact reasons are still being studied. More research is needed to understand this issue fully and find better treatments.
Diagnosis of Meniere’s Disease
Diagnosing Meniere’s Disease requires a detailed examination by an ear specialist. This may include:
Medical History
A full medical background helps the doctor rule out other conditions that might have symptoms similar to Meniere’s Disease.
Physical Examination
A physical test is very important to check how well a patient’s ears and balance work. The doctor might use a tool called an otoscope to look inside the ear for swelling or fluid. They might also do tests like audiometry to check hearing levels and tympanometry to see how the middle ear works.
Hearing Tests
To do this, the person must take hearing tests like speaking, pure tone, and tympanometry. These tests show what kind of hearing loss you have and how serious it is. This helps with diagnosis and treatment.
Balance Tests
Vestibular testing checks how well the balance system works. The Dix-Hallpike technique and caloric testing are two tests used to find common problems like positional vertigo. These tests help ensure the diagnosis is correct by looking for balance issues.
Imaging Studies
An MRI is not usually used to find Meniere’s Disease. However, it might be suggested that other conditions, like acoustic neuromas or tumors, be ruled out.
Treatment of Meniere’s Disease
Lifestyle Changes
Making changes to your lifestyle can help you manage your symptoms and reduce the number and severity of your episodes. This means cutting down on salt, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, managing stress, and exercising daily.
Medications
Various medications may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms. These include:
- Diuretics: Help reduce fluid retention in the body, which may alleviate inner ear pressure.
- Anti-vertigo medications: Drugs like meclizine or betahistine can help alleviate vertigo symptoms during episodes.
- Anti-nausea medications: Medications like promethazine or ondansetron may help control nausea and vomiting.
- Corticosteroids: In some cases, corticosteroids may reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
Middle Ear Injections
Some people may get steroids or gentamicin injected into their middle ear if their symptoms are very bad and don’t get better with other treatments.
Surgery
Surgery may be suggested for people whose symptoms are very bad and make them unable to function. Some options are:
- Making a small opening in the sac. This will relieve pressure in the inner ear.
- Cutting the vestibular nerve can help with dizziness by stopping the brain and inner ear from talking to each other.
- In serious cases, surgery may be used to remove the parts of the inner ear that control balance.
Alternative Treatments
Other treatments, such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, or food supplements, may help some people feel better. There isn’t a lot of evidence to back these treatments, but some people may feel better after using them.
Positive Pressure Treatment
Devices like the Meniett device deliver positive pressure pulses to the middle ear, helping to equalize pressure and reduce vertigo episodes.
Meniere’s Disease Evaluation and Treatment in Utah and South Nevada
At Advanced Hearing & Balance Specialists, we are committed to helping patients manage Meniere’s Disease effectively so they can regain control of their lives and enjoy a better quality of life.
With clinics across Utah and Nevada, including St. George, Cedar City, Murray, Hurricane, Beaver, Panguitch, Mesquite, and Overton, we provide comprehensive care to address symptoms promptly and comprehensively.
Contact us today to begin your journey towards better hearing and balance.
