Cope With Meniere’s Disease With These 8 Steps

September 27, 2020

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Meniere’s disease is one of the leading disorders that cause vertigo or dizziness while involving an inner ear problem. The condition usually starts in people aged 20 to 50 years of age. Both males and females are equally affected by this disease. 

Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder. Its symptoms include the following:

  • Bouts of vertigo
  • Tinnitus
  • A sensation of congestion in one ear
  • Partial hearing loss that can be permanent (if not treated quickly)

It is also called idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops. In other words, it frequently afflicts only one ear. However, as the condition becomes worse, both ears can become involved. At least 15% of patients have reported their Meniere’s disease involved both their ears. 

Attacks can go on for at least 20 minutes to more than 3 hours. As an episode of Meniere’s occurs, loud noises may become distorted, causing discomfort. Further, hearing loss and tinnitus may never go away after months or even years of coping with Meniere’s disease. It is a very crippling condition that needs proper care or ongoing care. 

 

How Is Meniere’s Disease Diagnosed?

The diagnostic criteria for probable Meniere’s disease and definite Meniere’s disease were set in 2015. Doctors pursue the following guidelines when they give their diagnosis. 

  • Probable: 

    • Two or more episodes of dizziness or vertigo that linger for 20 minutes to 24 hours
    • Fluctuating symptoms of congestion, tinnitus, and hearing loss in the affected ear
    • No other appropriate diagnosis
  • Definite: 

    • Two or more attacks of impulsive vertigo that lasts for 20 minutes up to 12 hours
    • Low to medium hearing loss that occurs in one ear at least once. It can happen before, during, or after the vertigo attack
    • Sporadic symptoms of congestion, tinnitus, and hearing loss in the affected ear
    • No other fitting diagnosis

 

Meniere’s Disease: What Causes It? 

The exact cause of Meniere's disease remains a partial mystery. There are various theories made. Doctors and researchers consider multiple aspects, and it includes environmental factors and genetics. At least 10% of patients diagnosed with Meniere's disease have it in their families. Also, doctors point to the unusually large amount of fluid that accumulates in the inner ear. This fluid buildup is due to too much fluid production. Also, it can be due to a failure to reabsorb the fluids back into the body properly. Meniere's can also be due to a constriction of the blood vessels, viral infections, allergies or autoimmune disorders. Transient ischemic attacks and vestibular migraines have very similar symptoms to Meniere's disease.

 

Find Relief for Meniere’s Disease with These 8 Ways

  • Keep Yourself Well-Hydrated

Drinking a lot of water or liquids every day can help maintain the body’s water balance. As you hydrate more, the body proceeds to eliminate excess salts and toxins every time you urinate.

  • Always Manage Your Stress Levels

Whenever a person becomes anxious or stressed, certain hormones are released, triggering Meniere’s disease symptoms. Find relief for your stress by doing any of the following:

  • Gentle exercises such as swimming, cycling, or walking
  • Go to a spa or get a massage
  • Meditation or relaxation techniques (yoga or tai chi)
  • Seek a therapist or psychologist for help
  • Maintain A Low Sodium Diet

Salt is not bad for you, so long as you maintain a properly balanced diet. Too much salt can cause inflammation. Therefore, lowering your salt intake will help reduce fluid retention in the body and your affected ear(s).

  • Avoid Any Food That Can Cause Inflammation

It would be best to keep a mild diet. Those types of food that are hard to digest can irritate. Therefore, avoid them as much as possible.

  • Keep Your Carbohydrates and Proteins Well-Balanced

When carbohydrates break down, they create simple sugars. When this happens, the sugars add up and make the body release more insulin into your bloodstream. Proteins, on the other hand, produce glucagon, and this manages the insulin level in your body. It will help a great deal if you start controlling your blood sugar and insulin levels so you can handle some of your Meniere’s disease symptoms.

  • Avoid Food Additives

Food additives include aspartame, sweeteners, other sugar substitutes, and MSG. Please stay away from these because they can trigger Meniere’s disease symptoms.

  • Get Rid Of Caffeine and Nicotine

Nicotine and caffeine can stimulate and increase your symptoms of Meniere’s disease. They can worsen vertigo attacks, make your tinnitus louder, and extend your hearing loss. Therefore, please avoid nicotine and caffeine altogether.

  • Get An Upper Cervical Chiropractic Adjustment

There is another possible cause for Meniere’s disease: a misalignment in the bones or vertebrae (the C1 or C2) of the upper cervical spine. An upper cervical chiropractor can correct this kind of misalignment using a gentle, safe, non-invasive, and precise technique that can realign the misaligned bones to their proper positions. Numerous Meniere’s disease patients have already experienced lasting relief from an upper cervical adjustment.

 

Meniere’s Disease And Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Through various studies and research, the medical community discovered a link between misalignments in the upper cervical spine's bones and Meniere's disease.

There was a study that involved 259 patients with Meniere’s disease. It showed a connection between the condition and problems in the upper neck area. Then on a separate clinical study that involved 139 Meniere’s disease patients, the researchers found out that upper cervical chiropractic care can be a useful and effective technique to lessen and even eliminate some of the Meniere's disease symptoms, especially vertigo. How is this even possible?

Here's why. The vertebrae of the upper cervical spine or upper neck work with the ears, the brain, and the nervous system. Because of their high mobility and location, the C1 and C2 vertebrae are very vulnerable to misalignment. When a misalignment occurs in this area, the brainstem may become irritated or malfunction. It also becomes pressured, resulting in various health problems, including Meniere's disease symptoms. Thus, the brainstem, the information and communication superhighway of the body, would start sending wrong signals from the body and brain. It can also affect how the fluid from the ears would drain. Thus, it could cause vertigo and many other health issues. Through upper cervical chiropractic care, the brain's normal functions can be restored.

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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