Meniere’s disease causes dizzy spells with a rotating or spinning sensation (vertigo). Although quite a rare condition (only one out of 1,000 people have it), Meniere’s disease can be disruptive to anyone who has it.
Besides vertigo, it also involves tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hearing loss that can potentially be permanent if left uncared for. Those with Meniere’s disease diagnosis may not be allowed to be at the wheel until they get the care to keep their symptoms under control.
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Meniere’s disease is an inner ear condition common among middle-aged adults (between the ages of 40 and 60). In 4 out of 10 cases, it starts afflicting only one ear, and over time, damages the other ear.
In case you wonder why it is called Meniere’s disease, the disorder was named after French doctor Prosper Meniere who first described the illness as vestibular. He played a major role in identifying the real origin of the disorder—the ear. The accepted theory back then was the brain had to do with the disease.
People in the medical field are still to study and conclude on the ultimate reason for the existence of the disease. However, many doctors agree that the symptoms of Meniere’s disease stem from the abnormal amount of fluid in the inner ear.
The question now becomes, why does fluid in the ear build up? Answering the question requires an explanation of how the inner ear works.
The inner ear is responsible for the transmission of sound vibrations. The brain receives these vibrations through hair-like sensors that respond to the moving fluid in the ear. For the inner ear to work properly, the right amount of pressure and chemical compounds should exist in the traveling fluid. Every element is crucial to ensure a well-functioning hearing and balance system. When fluid builds up or any element malfunctions, the onset of Meniere’s disease is likely to happen.
The signs and symptoms of Meniere’s disease are very unpredictable. They come and go during attacks. Here are the frequent symptoms that accompany episodes of Meniere’s disease:
About 1 out of 25 people with Meniere’s disease have drop attacks, the sudden falling to the ground while remaining conscious. It can be dangerous if it happens while a person is driving a car, operating heavy machinery, or at a high ladder. But thankfully, they rarely happen and occurs only for a short period.
How often Meniere’s attacks occur are different for every person. Some people go through an episode every few months or once a year. Others have episodes more frequently and in short series. For example, a person may deal with an episode every 2 days for a week or more. Some episodes are too close together that they look like one attack happening for a couple of days. Most people have a cluster of attacks, ranging from 6 to 11 episodes in a year.
Some episodes only involve vertigo but no hearing loss. Vertigo can be mild or too severe, causing you to vomit for a few hours. Once the attack subsides, you may still feel unsteady or tired. The feeling may linger for a day or more.
Here is a lesser-known cause of the fluid build-up in the ear: an upper cervical misalignment. A misalignment in the neck’s bones can lead to disruption in the ear’s ability to drain fluid efficiently. In addition, it can interrupt the normal communication between the brain and the ear.
Even a misalignment as tiny as ¼ of a millimeter could negatively affect the functions of the body, especially the balance system. This is because the brainstem that sends signals to the brain are within the protective bones of the upper cervical spine. In short, shifting of these bones puts unwarranted pressure on the brainstem. As a result, it impairs the signals between the brain and the body. This can lead to disrupted hearing or hindered flow of fluid in the ear, the conditions that encourage Meniere’s disease to develop.
Upper cervical doctors use a very gentle and accurate form of therapy to correct any misalignment of the upper cervical bones. Their technique, known as upper cervical chiropractic, encourages the bones of the neck to move back to their natural position. After correcting the problem, fluid flow in the ear and communication between the brain and body improve. Meniere’s patients can experience dramatic results. In some cases, patients experience resolution of their Meniere’s disease following a period of upper cervical chiropractic.
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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.
