Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that can affect hearing and balance. Named after French Physician Prosper Meniere, who associated vertigo with inner ear disorders in 1861, the disease is sometimes mildly annoying, and sometimes completely disabling. Let’s take a closer look.
Meniere’s Disease Symptoms
Meniere’s disease often starts with a single symptom; sometimes, all that happens is a low-pitched humming in one ear, or both ears; sometimes the tinnitus switches from one ear to the next. Hearing loss might come and go, and might switch from one ear to the other as well. Sounds might seem unusually loud in some cases, and some people who suffer from the disorder feel pressure or a sensation of fullness in one or both ears. Overall, hearing tends to become progressively worse as time passes, and during an attack, vertigo and a sense of panic may cause incapacitation. Some people vomit and sweat during an attack, while others feel a sense of nausea. Others tend to get frequent migraines.
Not all people with Meniere’s Disease suffer the exact same symptoms; some may have difficulty coordinating eye movements, and some may have what are known as “drop attacks” which cause them to fall suddenly for no apparent reason.
Causes of Meniere’s Disease
While there are no known causes for the disorder, Meniere’s Disease is linked to excess fluid buildup in the inner ear, which has burst from its normal channel and caused damage to the delicate vestibular system inside the ear; which in turn is responsible for maintaining the body’s sense of equilibrium. In some cases, scar tissue is implicated, and in others, narrow inner ear structures present since birth seem to be the cause. People who have suffered from serious head trauma, upper respiratory tract infections, and middle ear infections tend to be at greater risk.
Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and using aspirin can make symptoms worse, and so can excess salt intake. All of these contribute to increased membrane dilation, which causes an increase in pressure; which in turn, can bring on an attack.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Meniere’s Disease can be difficult for doctors; usually, diagnosis is made via a combination of symptom complaints, medical history, a detailed otolaryngological examination, MRI, and other tests. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, dietary changes and avoidance of anything that can change pressure inside the ears are recommended.
There are other conditions which can mimic some of the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease; for instance, Cogan’s syndrome, fistulas, Multiple Sclerosis, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases that can affect the middle ear, and syphilis can produce similar sensations.
People who have a positive diagnosis of Meniere’s Disease should not dive; in most places, a Meniere’s diagnosis is an automatic contraindication for diving, which means passing a dive physical is impossible. The increased pressure which occurs underwater can cause an attack, which could lead to panic and vertigo, which in turn could lead to serious injury or even to death. If you believe you may have Meniere’s Disease or if you are experiencing any symptoms that are similar to those described, you should see your doctor right away and stay away from diving.