Meniere’s disease is a debilitating condition that occurs in the inner ear. There are many symptoms associated with it, but most people in Australia seem to agree that they experience some form of vertigo, hearing loss, and a nagging pressure in their ears. Today we’ll discuss what Meniere’s disease is, its symptoms and the kinds of treatment that can be done to address those symptoms and the condition itself.
What is Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s disease is a condition manifested by a type of vertigo that happens because of a pressure change in the inner ear. The disease is named after the doctor that first described it, Prosper Meniere. It is a malady that is not well understood, but it is thought to be genetically linked. Meniere’s disease is also not well recognized. Only about 10% of the population that has this condition are actually aware that they are suffering from it.
Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease affects people differently. Some will experience the typical symptoms of vertigo, hearing loss, and pressure in the ear, but there may be other symptoms too. Gastrointestinal symptoms are often seen with Meniere’s disease. Some people will only have migraine-type headaches, while others will also experience attacks of vomiting, where nothing has been consumed.
Another thing is that Meniere’s disease can affect the patient’s blood pressure. This can lead to people passing out when that happens. Some people will feel like a band is wrapping around their heads and tightening. A lot of dizziness is common with the disease, and a lot of people will find that their balance is affected. Some patients will wake up from sleep and feel like they have been tossed around in a dryer.
There are individuals that are so disabled by this condition that they cannot leave their homes. Some people will suffer from temporary loss of vision. There are also some patients that will go deaf. Ear infections are common too, and they are often very painful. Because of the severity of the symptoms, a person may have a lot of trouble getting back to their normal way of living. Some even have to quit their jobs because of the way that the condition makes them feel.
Medical Approaches to Treating Meniere’s
Meniere’s disease is a difficult condition to treat. Some patients will have their symptoms come and go, and others will have their symptoms all the time. The treatment for this condition will depend on the symptoms that you have. If you have vertigo that comes and goes, you can try anti-vertigo medications. These medications will help the patient control the vertigo when it occurs. If you are having a lot of vertigo and your balance is affected, you should see a doctor about getting a balance disturbance device. The device will employ pressure in order to give the patient a sense of balance, and it can help you walk. If you are experiencing regular loss of hearing, you should see an audiologist so that they can fit you with a hearing aid.
The Biggest Challenge to Treating Meniere’s Is…
The biggest challenge to treating this condition is that it’s not completely understood. It’s thought that there is a genetic component to it because the malady seems to be more prevalent in some families. It is also thought to be more common in people that are of Asian descent. Meniere’s disease will usually start to be problematic after the patient has been diagnosed with other conditions.
Conclusion
Meniere’s disease doesn’t have a definitive cure, but there are a lot of ways to treat the condition and the symptoms associated with it. Some individuals will have a mild form of it, while others suffer greatly from it. While there is no cure, there are ways to control the condition and have your quality of life returned to a more normal state.
CH Care is your local family-owned audiology practice providing complete hearing health care to Australians. From hearing tests to hearing aids, our fully qualified clinicians are equipped to give you the professional hearing services you deserve. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
