What is meniere's disease?

Ménière's (say "men-YEERS") disease is an inner ear problem that affects your hearing and balance. It normally occurs in only one ear at a time. But over time, it develops in the other ear in up to half of those who have it.

The disease usually occurs in people ages 40 to 60, but anyone can have it.

Ménière's disease can cause sudden symptoms that last from hours to days. During an attack, you may have:

• Vertigo, a feeling like you or your surroundings are spinning.
• Tinnitus, a low roaring, ringing, or hissing in your ear. This may come and go.
• Hearing loss. This may be temporary or permanent.
• A feeling of pressure or fullness in your ear.

Attacks usually happen more often during the first few years and then come less often. Over time, the attacks may cause damage to the inner ear. This may cause poor balance, permanent hearing loss, and roaring or hissing in the affected ear. Some people may have "drop attacks," which are sudden falls without warning.

Your doctor will do a physical exam that includes checking your ears, eyes, and nervous system. They'll also ask about your past health and your symptoms, including:

• Details about your vertigo attacks.
• Whether you have other symptoms like hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness.

You will probably have a hearing test. Other tests, such as an MRI or a CT scan, may be done to help find out what is causing your symptoms.

Ménière's disease can't be cured, but you can work with your doctor to find ways to reduce symptoms and attacks. Lifestyle changes like limiting sodium and reducing stress can help. Limiting caffeine and alcohol may also help.

Your doctor may prescribe medicines called diuretics to help decrease symptoms and prevent attacks. Medicines such as antihistamines, sedatives, and the scopolamine patch may help reduce vertigo and make it less severe during attacks. Other medicines may be given to help with nausea.

If symptoms are severe and other medicines don't work, your doctor may recommend steroid pills or injections. If needed, other injections or surgery may be options. Some of these treatments can cause permanent hearing loss. So they are usually done only as a last resort.

Ménière's can be hard to manage and tough to live with. But there are some things you can do that may help reduce the number of attacks you have:

• Eat low-salt foods. Salt makes your body hold on to excess fluid. If you eat less salt, you may have less buildup of fluid in the ear. So you may get vertigo less often.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
• Try to reduce the stress in your life.

To reduce your symptoms when you have an attack:

• Lie down and hold your head very still until the attack goes away.
• Take your medicines for vertigo and nausea as soon as you can.

You can also take steps to help protect yourself when you have attacks:

• Do exercises to improve your balance. This can reduce your risk of falling and hurting yourself or others.
• Make changes to reduce your risk of injury during a vertigo attack. For example, install grab bars in your bathroom. Wear shoes with low heels and nonslip soles. And don't drive during an attack.