Meniere’s disease can affect people in various ways. Some report the usual signs, like vertigo attacks, tinnitus, and temporary hearing loss. Notably, some patients visiting a cervical chiropractor for Meniere’s relief experience Tumarkin’s otolithic crisis or a drop attack. It’s a rare symptom that affects a small fraction of patients diagnosed with Meniere’s. 

If you think you have this specific symptom, our short discussion below might help you achieve long-term relief.  

Meniere’s and Its Different Symptoms

Due to the difficulty in diagnosing Meniere’s disease, most doctors rely on looking at the common symptoms. Here’s a closer look at the usual signs that you might have Meniere’s:

• Vertigo attacks – Many patients who consult with a cervical chiropractor for Meniere’s disease experience vertigo episodes. Sometimes, the spinning sensation can last for a few seconds. However, most patients note that they experience the debilitating false sense of motion for several hours or the entire day. 
• Ear congestion – Physicians and researchers point to the abnormal fluid build-up in the inner ear as the root cause of Meniere’s disease. As a result, you might experience mild to severe ear congestion if you get diagnosed with Meniere’s. 
• Temporary loss of hearing – Besides the uncomfortable fullness inside your inner ears, you might also experience temporary or fluctuating hearing loss. This happens because the fluid build-up can put pressure on both the auditory and vestibular nerves. 
• Tinnitus – Have you been hearing a buzzing, rushing, or ringing sound for a while? Chances are, you have tinnitus. Roughly 15 million Americans have tinnitus. Doctors and studies strongly associate this symptom with Meniere’s disease. 

Tumarkin’s Otolithic Crisis – A Rare Meniere’s Symptom

Sadly, a small fraction of patients experience drop attacks or Tumarkin’s otolithic crisis. When this happens, you might suddenly fall on the ground without losing your consciousness. This specific symptom usually affects patients with the worsening symptoms of Meniere’s disease. 

Although it may seem like a harmless symptom, a case study on a 76-year-old woman shows that drop attacks may increase one’s risk for injuries. Imagine walking down the streets one sunny day, and you experience a drop attack out of the blue. Besides posing risks for your safety, it could also result in dislocated or fractured bones. 

As described in the case study, drop attacks usually develop when the condition progresses and wreaks havoc on your vestibular system. Experiencing drop attacks definitely warrants a visit to your doctor. You might need an intratympanic injection of gentamicin or surgical ablation therapy.

Other Potential Causes of A Drop Attack

Although many studies associate drop attacks with Meniere’s disease, some researchers note that it’s not easy to diagnose its root cause. Some drop attack cases happen because of other conditions such as: 

• Heart conditions such as hypertension and heart attack
• Stroke or transient ischemic attacks
• Brain seizures
• Psychological conditions
• Low blood pressure
• Brain tumor

The best thing to do is to consult your physician about your drop attack symptoms. This way, you can eliminate other potential causes that may be more concerning than a vestibular disorder.  You may need to get an electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), and audiogram to get an accurate diagnosis.   

How to Deal with a Drop Attack and Other Meniere’s Symptoms

Your first step to coping with Meniere’s disease is by getting a detailed diagnosis from your physician. This will help you determine the specific symptoms you have and the remedies you can use to manage their impact. Here are some things you can try: 

• Managing your sources of stress
• Minimizing alcohol consumption
• Using medications like antihistamines or prochlorperazine
• Trying the Epley maneuver
• Minimizing fast movements
• Taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications
• Trying behavioral therapy
• Wearing sound-masking devices
• Addressing its possible sources such as neck bone misalignment
• Doing mindfulness meditation
• Trying positive pressure therapy 

There are also several minimally invasive procedures used to address severe symptoms like hearing loss or ear congestion. Some of the most notable examples include middle ear injections and endolymphatic sac procedures. You can also ask your doctor about other surgical options like labyrinthectomy and vestibular nerve section.

How Your Cervical Chiropractor Can Help

Experiencing drop attacks or other Meniere’s disease symptoms can be frustrating and alarming. When they catch you off-guard, such signs may put you in an awkward or dangerous position. As a result, if you suspect having Meniere’s disease, we highly recommend getting checked by your physician right away. 

You can also begin consulting with an upper cervical chiropractic doctor. Thousands of patients flock to a cervical chiropractor in hopes of improving their symptoms. The procedure aims to address several things that may be contributing to your debilitating symptoms. 

Here’s how upper cervical chiropractic can help you cope with your Meniere’s symptoms: 

• It can improve fluid drainage to ease pressure inside the ears.
• It restores spine and neck alignment, removing pressure on the brainstem.
• It helps you ensure that your brain doesn’t receive mixed signals concerning your motion and orientation.
• It may prevent the onset of worrying Meniere’s disease symptoms like drop attacks.

Take note that each case of an upper cervical chiropractic adjustment is different. So, a cervical chiropractic practitioner has to examine the neck alignment and determine the main points that need adjustment. It’s a safe, precise, and gentle approach to coping with Meniere’s disease.

To know how you can benefit from this procedure, we suggest talking to a neck chiropractor today. Schedule your appointment with a nearby cervical chiropractor. This way, you can gauge your neck bone misalignment severity and start receiving adjustments as soon as possible. 

to schedule a consultation today.