  
|  |
|
|
|
Reviewed by Dr Robert Mills, consultant otolaryngologist
|
What is Ménière's disease?
The disease is named after a French doctor - Prosper Ménière -
who described the condition as being characterised by sudden attacks of
dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of hearing and a buzzing in the ears (tinnitus).
What is the cause of Ménière's disease?
Ménière's disease is a disease of the inner ear caused by a
change in the fluid pressure. This can happen quite suddenly and without
warning. The exact cause of the disease is not known, although
stress is one of the
factors that can bring on an attack.
What are the symptoms of Ménière's disease?
-
dizziness and a sense of vertigo with
'spinning' vision
-
nausea
-
vomiting
-
impaired hearing or loss of hearing with noises in
the ears (tinnitus).
The dizziness can come out of the blue and be so severe that
sufferers need to hold on to someone to avoid falling over. The attack can last
for up to 12 hours.
Is the disease curable?
People who have been diagnosed with Ménière's disease will
have been told by their doctor that it is important to rest and adopt a
low-stress lifestyle. Knowing that the disease can be controlled and that it
should eventually improve will also have a calming effect, however bad it may
have seemed at first.
Attacks may be prevented by taking medicines regularly.
Betahistine (Serc)
acts
on the small blood vessels in the ear and is used to treat vertigo, tinnitus
and hearing loss associated with Ménière's disease.
Diuretics may improve vertigo symptoms by drawing fluid out of
the inner ear. Antihistamines such as
cinnarizine (eg Stugeron)
and
antisickness medicines such as
prochlorperazine (eg Stemetil)
may also help to prevent and treat attacks.
Reducing the amount of salt in the diet and the intake of tea
and coffee may also prove useful.
In severe cases, surgery is an option, but there is no ideal
treatment in this area either. An operation to improve the drainage of fluid
from the inner ear helps some patients. If this fails, the nerve that controls
balance can be cut.
Future prospects
People who have experienced a very unpleasant attack of
Ménière's disease fear the next one and, unfortunately, the attacks do
return either regularly or irregularly. The only consolation is that in time
they become less frequent and less severe.
A consequence of Ménière's disease is often a loss of
hearing even after the attacks, and the disease has disappeared.
Can Ménière's disease be mistaken for other
diseases?
Yes, it can. In some of these, such as vertigo and tinnitus, the
dizziness is similar, but the hearing remains normal. A tumour of the nerve of
hearing (acoustic neuroma) can also cause hearing loss, tinnitus and
unsteadiness.
|
Based on a text by Lars Trier Hansen, consultant
|
Last updated 02.06.2005
|
 |
|
|
 |
| |      |
|
