Meniere's Disease

Q:  After several doctor visits and many different conclusions, my 40 year old granddaughter has been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. The noise in her ears is making her miserable. There seems to be very little information available on this disorder. Can you help?

A:  Meniere's Disease is a disorder of the inner ear in which symptoms are caused by increased fluid pressure in the inner ear space. Usually just one ear is involved. The three classic Meniere's symptoms include episodes of severe dizziness, hearing loss and ringing in the ear, and a feeling of ear pressure or "fullness." The dizziness episodes can last from minutes to several hours or even days. These attacks can come on without warning and may include sensations of spinning, whirling or falling accompanied by nausea.

A complete evaluation by an otolaryngologist is essential to determine the cause of the fluid pressure increase. Other factors such as circulatory, metabolic, toxic, allergic or emotional problems may also play a role.

There are currently a wide range of treatments, both medical and surgical, being used to combat Meniere's disease. This most likely reflects the fact that there is no single treatment that is effective in all individuals. Some of these treatments include the use of the following:

• Dietary manipulation (decreased intake of salt, alcohol, caffeine and chocolate)
• Diuretics ("water pills")
• Anti-emetic, anti-nausea and anti-vertigo drugs
• Anti-anxiety drugs
• Steroids
• Antihistamines
• Calcium channel blockers
• Nutritional supplements
• Surgical procedures (tube placement, inner ear expansion)

For detailed, non-technical descriptions of Meniere's disease and its treatment, it might be helpful to visit the website of the Vestibular Disorders Association.

"Dear Doctor" is a compilation of patient questions answered by doctors from the Medical College of Wisconsin.