Meniere’s disease is not one of the most common health conditions, but it is undoubtedly recognizable by the symptoms it produces. Starting with severe and debilitating bouts of vertigo, this condition also causes worsening hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ear) as it progresses. There is also a feeling of fullness in the affected ear(s).
While there is a lot of useful information about Meniere’s available online, there are certain things that get repeated from site to site that simply are not correct. Whether it is poor research or lack of experience, it doesn’t change the fact that you need accurate information.
Here are a few things that the Internet often gets wrong about Meniere’s disease, so you don’t get fooled.
It is easiest to explain why this is incorrect by telling you what endolymphatic hydrops actually is first. Endolymphatic hydrops refers to an excess of fluid in the inner ear. This fluid, called endolymph, plays a vital role in the body’s balance system. However, if there is too much endolymph, it can lead to symptoms like those associated with Meniere’s.
So does this mean that endolymphatic hydrops and Meniere’s are the same condition? Not at all. Also, if endolymphatic hydrops and Meniere’s are occurring at the same time, it is essential to discover what is keeping the ears from draining correctly. The eustachian tubes should be carrying that extra fluid away.
The mistake here occurs because the average age of onset falls between 40 and 60, but that doesn’t mean these are the only ages the condition can occur between. People as young as in their 20s receive a diagnosis of Meniere’s. So don’t assume that Meniere’s is impossible just because you are younger than the average age of diagnosis.
Having Meniere’s disease in both ears is uncommon, but it still happens for about 10-15% of patients. Also, if left untreated, unilateral Meniere’s can become bilateral. The problem with this lack of understanding is that some of the treatment options for severe cases of Meniere’s can be destructive. For example, there are shots you can get in the affected ear, but they can lead to deafness. Surgery is another option that can potentially go wrong. Don’t take a chance on your ear just because someone tells you the other ear will be fine.
This one is just bad math. Someone read a 2013 study that said 615,000 Americans had Meniere’s. They divided wrong and got 2% instead of 0.2% (the correct percentage). To put this in perspective, about 1% of people have Celiac disease (an autoimmune condition that causes damage to the intestines when gluten is consumed). That means about five times as many people have Celiac as Meniere’s, but according to some fuzzy math, Meniere’s would be twice as common. That decimal point is significant in this case. The short version is this – Meniere’s disease is pretty rare.
This is wrong in so many ways that it is tough to decide where to start. First of all, shots or surgery are last resorts. One of the most common things a doctor will recommend if you have Meniere’s disease is a low salt diet. This stops fluid from building up in the ears. It’s not a cure, but it can help to mitigate the symptoms and prevent flare-ups from occurring as frequently.
There are also other lifestyle changes you can make to avoid triggers. For example, smoking or alcohol use can trigger a flare-up. Allergic reactions can also lead to a flare-up, so you need to try to avoid anything you have a sensitivity to. There are certain medications that may set Meniere’s off, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you believe one of your prescriptions is at fault. Never change your dosage without consulting a medical professional first.
Stress is another big trigger, perhaps because stress can lead to excessive inflammation in the body. There are plenty of natural ways to control stress ranging from daily exercise to taking an occasional vacation.
Finally, we want to address one other natural alternative you may want to try for persistent vertigo and other Meniere’s symptoms – upper cervical specific chiropractic.
There are a number of cases studies that have linked the onset of Meniere’s disease with head or neck trauma. For example, in one study involving 300 patients with an upper cervical misalignment, 97% of patients saw an average improvement of 90% in their vertigo. When the practitioner compared patient histories, he noticed that many of the injuries had taken place up to 15 years earlier. Therefore, he posited that a slight upper cervical misalignment can create changes in the surrounding tissue that eventually impacts eustachian tube function.
If you are living with Meniere’s disease, especially if you have a history of head or neck trauma, you may have just found some natural help for your symptoms. You have to try every natural method before you subject yourself to invasive procedures, so if you haven’t tried upper cervical specific chiropractic yet, now is the time. You can find a preferred doctor using the search feature on this website.
Meniere’s disease is more than just your simple inner ear condition. It is a complicated situation that might be due to genetics or even by external factors like trauma.
Medical experts believe that this ailment happens due to fluid accrual in the inner ears' delicate labyrinths. These fluids are useful in creating sound waves, which then become electric impulses that allow the brain to process sounds correctly. The carpet of fine hair in the inner ear's network also reacts to the fluids' movement. The fine hair strands send signals to the brain that affect balance and equilibrium.
Usually, the fluids flow smoothly from one section to the next in this network deep inside the ears. However, certain factors can lead to drainage issues that limit or stop the flow. Then, pressure builds in the clogged sections. As the fluids press against the thin inner ear membranes, it can generate sound waves that the brain interprets as noise.
The vibration against the membranes sets off the phantom sounds like ringing or hissing, one of Meniere’s symptoms. The concentration of fluids also disrupts the carpet of fine hair, sending a flurry of signals to the brain. As such, people with this condition also deal with vertigo and rotary sensations.
A person with this condition has to put up with a combination of these:
Some people experience vertigo or twirling feeling. In some cases, those diagnosed feels like they are rotating rapidly. People diagnosed with this condition think that they are steady on their feet, but their environment is swirling quickly. Regardless of who or what is spinning, vertigo is a discomforting feeling.
The nauseous feeling is an expected reaction to vertigo. Most people keep their eyes shut to stop feeling sick and needing to vomit. In some cases, this does not work out, though. Nausea and vomiting are often the reasons why someone with Meniere’s disease loses appetite.
The buzzing and ringing in the ears are known as tinnitus. In reality, there are no such sounds, but people with Meniere’s disease claim such experience is real. The constant noise plus the dawning realization that it is likely imaginary can be sources of irritation.
Some medical experts believe that hearing loss might be due to the mounting pressure in the inner ears. If this condition is taken care of during the early stages, the hearing loss might be temporary. The most progressive of all Meniere’s symptoms is the loss of hearing. In the latter stages of the disease, this can be potentially irreversible.
Aside from these symptoms, those diagnosed with Meniere’s disease also deal with the following:
Not being able to establish balance while trying to stop being sick can make someone anxious.
Likely a direct or indirect result of Meniere’s condition, the increasing pressure in the inner ears can contribute to the tightening of muscles in the head which induces headaches.
Although the issue might be going on in the most in-depth section of the ears, the pain can manifest in the outer areas. People with Meniere’s disease often move their heads sideways in an attempt to relieve the pressure.
Medical experts believe there is no real cure for Meniere’s disease. However, there are several options to address the syndromes. This list might prove helpful.
Medicine can help counter the effects of nausea and vomiting, while pain medications can also address headaches and ear pain. On the other hand, diuretics may help address fluid retention.
Not having to deal with a queasy stomach and the resulting cold sweats can help the person start feeling better. When the effects of the painkillers work, losing the head and ear discomfort helps.
Sleeping and napping are effective ways to block the effects of vertigo. On top of this, those diagnosed can feel calmer and more refreshed when they wake up.
Breathing exercises, light workouts, and yoga can help manage stress and anxiety. Doing so will also relieve muscle tension, particularly in the head and neck areas. Lower stress levels and reduced instances of headaches are some of the benefits.
Working with healthcare professionals using sound therapy might help restore balance aside from being a welcome distraction from phantom sounds.
Working with a physical therapist can help the person regain balance. Vestibular rehabilitation is a known approach that can help dispel the effects of vertigo.
Neck and spinal misalignments are notorious for disrupting the body's communication pathways. When bones and discs move closer to each other, they cause channels to become narrow. When this happens, the nerves encounter roadblocks when delivering signals to the brain. Once the brain gets signals mixed up, it can send conflicting commands. One of which is the balance issues in vertigo and the noises in the case of tinnitus.
Upper cervical chiropractors are well-trained in addressing issues that result from alignment issues in the neck and spine. You can refer to this directory to find the one nearest you. If there is an alignment issue, your local chiropractor can quickly restore balance using the latest technology and precise approaches.
Go ahead and check the guide. You will get all the details you need to schedule that appointment now.
to schedule a consultation today.
to schedule a consultation today.
Common Symptoms
Videos
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
