Ménière's disease causes numerous hearing and balance issues, caused by an imbalance of fluid in the inner ear canal. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates 615,000 adults have Ménière's disease, with around 45,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Ménière's disease has several identifiable symptoms that occur together in localized attacks.
Symptoms
Ménière's disease has several key symptoms that occur in episodes or attacks. A severe episode of Ménière's disease causes vertigo with nausea, vomiting or unexplained sweating. Less severe episodes cause hearing loss, ear ringing and ear pressure ear common symptoms. Mild to severe hearing loss is experienced in any episode.
Significance
Severe episodes of Ménière's disease can have a significant impact on a person's ability to function. Vertigo with nausea or vomiting makes it difficult to focus, requiring a person to lie down to ease the symptoms. Mild episodes also present risks. Mild hearing loss increases the rate of automobile accidents, impairment of speech and poor comprehension.
Time Frame
Ménière's disease symptoms occur sporadically without warning. Symptoms can occur once a year or once every day, depending on the severity of the disease. People who suffer from daily attacks usually experience symptoms for several hours.
Prevention/Solution
Certain medications and dietary changes help ease Ménière's disease symptoms. For severe symptoms, physicians typically prescribe motion sickness medications, such as Antivert, to reduce the severity of vertigo. If nausea is not reversed by this medication, an anti-nausea medication is prescribed to prevent these symptoms.
According to the Mayo Clinic, managing your diet also controls symptoms. Limiting your salt intake and avoiding monosodium glutamate (MSG) eases fluid imbalances in the inner ear, the cause of Ménière's disease. Avoiding caffeine, which causes fluid retention, and eating regularly also eases symptoms.
Location
The symptoms of Ménière's disease occur in one ear, with pain and swelling focused in and around the ear. A feeling of fullness in the ear is concentrated in the ear opening and in the inner ear canal.
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