Meniere’s disease is a rare vestibular condition that affects about 615,000 people in the United States (or about 0.2%). Symptoms include vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss (that could eventually become permanent), and a feeling of fullness in the affected ear. Some use the term endolymphatic hydrops synonymously with Meniere’s.
Endolymph is the fluid within the inner ear that plays a role in balance. When the region this fluid fills becomes swollen due to pressure, the result is endolymphatic hydrops. However, Meniere’s disease is an idiopathic condition. As a result, if the symptoms, such as vertigo, have a discernable cause, the condition is no longer Meniere’s.
Because Meniere’s is so closely related to hydrops, the treatment method is the same. Hydration is important because medications can dry a person out in an effort to reduce fluid pressure in the ears. Other medications cover symptoms such as nausea or dizziness. A low salt diet is implemented to reduce fluid retention in the ear. Also, vestibular rehabilitation may be used to help the body learn to cope with the changes in the balance system.
In a case study involving 139 Meniere’s patients, 136 saw dramatic improvements in vertigo and other symptoms following upper cervical chiropractic care. Interestingly, the patients in this study all had evidence of undiagnosed whiplash injuries due to car accidents and other head or neck trauma. With vertigo severity measured on a scale of 0 to 10, patients saw a reduction of symptoms from an average of 8.5 to just 1.4 over the course of 2 years. The average was already less than 3.0 after 6 weeks of care, showing both immediate and long-term benefits.
If you are experiencing vertigo, especially if you have ever endured head or neck trauma, find an upper cervical chiropractor near you for an evaluation. You may quickly find yourself on the road to experiencing natural relief from Meniere’s symptoms.
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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.
