Does Meniere's Disease Affect The Ears?

September 13, 2020

does-menieres-disease-affect-the-ears

Yes, it does. Meniere’s disease is an awful disorder of the inner ear known for bringing these main symptoms:

  • Tinnitus: a roaring, hissing, buzzing, or ringing sound in the affected ear
  • Hearing loss that fluctuates and may become permanent over time
  • Vertigo: a false sensation of motion, mainly spinning movement, of your environment or yourself

Meniere’s disease frequently affects only one ear. People who suffer from this may also experience a feeling of fullness or congestion in the ear. 

This condition can affect anybody at any age. However, it is common among people between the ages of 20 to 50 years old. It is a chronic and degenerative condition. Fortunately, some of its symptoms find relief through proper care. Also, there is a natural, drug-free care option that we will discuss later in the article. This non-invasive, safe, and gentle option has already helped numerous Meniere’s disease patients experience long-term relief.

Possible Causes of Meniere’s Disease

There are still many theories as to why Meniere’s disease occurs. One such idea that gained popularity has to do with the significant quantity of fluid build-up in the inner ear. However, this theory is still unproven. Recent research also revealed that not all those with Meniere’s disease have an abundance of fluid in their ears. As a result, this leads to the conclusion that there must be another critical factor involved in the development of the disorder.

Here are some of those possible causes:

  • A viral infection
  • Migraines
  • Allergies
  • Improper drainage of endolymph fluid (probably due to anatomic abnormalities)
  • Abnormal response by the immune system
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Head or neck trauma (keep this in mind as you read further)

Moreover, doctors also believe that since they cannot separate one specific cause, it may be due to a combination of factors that lead to the onset of Meniere’s disease.

Meniere’s Disease Symptoms

Here’s a closer look at the symptoms of Meniere’s disease.

  • Recurring Episodes of Vertigo

Vertigo is a spinning feeling that starts and ends quickly, without any warning. Vertigo may last for about 20 minutes but never more than 24 hours. 

  • Headaches

Patients with Meniere’s may experience migraine-type headaches associated with the disease.

  • Hearing Loss

Hearing loss often comes and goes with Meniere’s disease, especially in the beginning stages. Eventually, loss of hearing may be permanent in most people.

  • Nausea and vomiting

These often accompany vertigo. If you deal with both, see a doctor and get a prescription for antiemetic or anti-nausea medication.

  • Tinnitus

It is the perception of noise that comes from within the ear. It is usually heard as ringing but can also be hissing, buzzing, or some other sound. 

  • Sweating

Some patients exhibit cold, heavy sweating.

  • A Feeling of Fullness or Congestion in One Ear

It is also called aural fullness. Most people would feel congestion in the affected ear or on one side of the head. 

  • Loss of balance

Severe vertigo can cause a patient to lose his or her balance and fall. 

How Do You Manage Meniere’s Disease?

People with Meniere’s disease who seek help from their doctors will most likely hear many of the following recommendations. These care options focus on easing or alleviating only one symptom at a time:

  • Non-Invasive Therapy and Procedures

  • Rehabilitation to improve balance 
  • Hearing aids
  • Meniett device – It involves applying pressure to the middle ear to improve fluid exchange. A Meniett pulse generator employs a ventilation tube to accomplish this. It is something you can also do at home. Improvements have been recorded short-term. Long-term effectiveness is not yet determined.
  • Drugs Or Medicine

  • Diuretics to reduce fluid retention
  • Motion sickness medications
  • Anti-nausea medications
  • Middle Ear Injections

  • Gentamicin – It is an antibiotic that is toxic to the inner ear. It can reduce the function of the balance system in your ear. Thus it would cause the other ear to take over. However, there is a risk of hearing loss involved with this method.
  • Steroids – Dexamethasone is frequently applied to help minimize vertigo attacks. It is less likely to trigger hearing loss.
  • Surgery

    1. It can only be used as a last resort if nothing else would work. 
  • Labyrinthectomy
  • Vestibular nerve section
  • Endolymphatic sac decompression 

These care options only give temporary relief. The other symptoms or problems will continue unless you deal with the root cause of Meniere’s disease. One factor often overlooked in caring for Meniere’s disease is its connection to a misaligned vertebra in the upper cervical spine. Let’s check out some proof regarding this connection, shall we?

Meniere’s Link to a Misaligned Upper Cervical Spine

A clinical study observed 139 people who all had Meniere’s disease. Upon examination and detailed patient history, all of these people had experienced some trauma to their head or neck before the onset of their Meniere’s. 

Many of these patients were involved in automobile accidents, which caused whiplash that went undiagnosed. Some of them experienced slips and falls, sporting injuries, and concussions. After receiving upper cervical chiropractic care, all 139 patients reported significant improvements in their Meniere’s disease symptoms, particularly vertigo. Some even said they had complete resolution of their disease. 

First, a lesion can start to grow on the Eustachian tube and take up to 15 years to trigger Meniere’s disease symptoms. Another problem when the brainstem is under stress is that it would start to send wrong signals to the brain about the body’s actual location, thus causing vertigo. 

By adjusting the misalignment, many people can experience similar results like the study above. Meniere’s disease would often ease up or go away entirely. The procedure to correct the misalignment is both gentle and precise. Upper cervical chiropractors have the background and experience to drive desirable results, such as in the study.

Find an upper cervical chiropractor near you to help with your condition.

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

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