Meniere's Disease

What is Meniere's Disease?

In establishing the Meniere's Disease diagnosis, I agree with the current medical literature about the 4 classical criteria: tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss and plugged ears.

I do not agree with the importance of this diagnosis. I know that good specialists of ENT attribute a lot of importance to the question: Meniere's disease diagnosis or not Meniere's disease. I believe that this diagnosis is not important at all in most of the patients, because there is no specific and effective treatment of Meniere's disease, on the basis of the medical diagnosis.

The only importance is that on the way to the final diagnosis, the specialist should exclude the existence of tumors, vascular malformations, infections of all types or other treatable medical conditions. Some specialists of ENT may consider Meniere's disease surgery as a treatment of Meniere's disease.

Meniere's Disease Diagnosis

Famous four symptoms

The famous four symptoms that are essential for diagnosis according to Prosper Meniere are: (1) Tinnitus, that is usually unilateral. (2) Attacks of vertigo. (3) Hearing impairment. (4) Complaints of "Plugged Ears".

After 150 years the Meniere's disease history the variations in the symptoms are many, and the disagreement on the revised diagnostic criteria increases from scientific congress to scientific congress.

The French Doctor Prosper Meniere (read more) published these diagnostic criteria in 1861.

Endolymphatic Hydrops

The objective structural abnormality of Endolymphatic Hydrops in the inner ear encouraged many clinicians to relate a lot of importance to that pathological finding and establish "Hydrops Centered theories and treatments".

There are clinicians who use a different terminology, derived from the finding of "Hydrops" which they consider as the main part of Meniere's disease diagnosis and call it: "Idiopathic Endolymphatic Hydrops".

More details about the anatomy and pathology will be given in a more specific article, inside this website.

Meniere's Disease Treatment

The treatment for Meniere's disease should be given to patients that underwent a comprehensive evaluation of their auditory and vestibular systems by a specialist. The main indication for Meniere's disease treatment is usage of medications that may relieve symptoms of the disease.

Psychotropic medications may help via decreasing the anxiety or depressive symptoms. Drugs that block H2 receptors are able to reduce attacks of nausea or vomiting. Diuretics may help some of the patients. 

Menieres disease diet is a low salt, no alcohol, no caffeine, low sugar and decrease of tobacco.

The Meniere's disease sufferer should try it and see what may help.

Biological Clock that follows the shifts between light and darkness according to the sunrise and sunset may contribute to the relive of some of the symptoms.

The detailed discussion of the four medical conditions: tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness and Meniere's disease is not a recommendation for doing tests or taking any therapy. Only an expert who examined his patient is an authority to refer a patient for treatment.