How to Spot Meniere's Disease Symptoms

Meniere's disease is named after Prosper Meniere, a doctor who discovered the disease in the middle of the nineteenth century. Since Meniere's disease is still somewhat a mystery, the symptoms are also widely diverse in both kind and degree. Run your symptoms through these steps of self-diagnosis to be informed, but schedule a visit with your health care provider to get an accurate diagnosis regarding Meniere's disease.

Instructions

1. Pay attention to vertigo or dizziness.

   Caused by extra fluid gathering in the inner ear, Meniere's disease leads to a sense of a spinning room or dizziness. This symptom can range from chronic and severe to rare and mild. Generally speaking, the conditions will worsen over time without treatment.

2. Take note of tinnitus.

   Tinnitus is characterized by a constant ringing in the ear. It can come and go, but often is most noticeable in silence. For some Meniere's disease patients it can sound more like an ongoing waterfall. This is caused by hearing damage that makes the mind think the ear is constantly hearing noise even when it is not.

3. Report any loss of hearing.

   Meniere's disease currently has no cure. Meniere's generally gets worse without treatment causing more severe episodes of vertigo and increasing loss of hearing beginning usually in the lower tones. Some hearing will return after episodes, but over time Meniere's disease will permanently damage hearing. Some Meniere's disease cases end in total hearing loss.

4. Mention any pressure in your ear.

   Your health care provider needs to be aware of any and all of these Meniere's disease symptoms as they present themselves. Pressure in the ear is a sign of a build up of fluid characteristic of Meniere's disease. Be sure to see your physician if any of these symptoms present themselves.

   * See more tips and information on Meniere's disease below.

Tips & Warnings

• Removing salt from your diet can aid in the reduction of fluid retention due to Meniere's disease.

• Consider eliminating or greatly reducing tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine as these can irritate the inner ear.

• Find ways to reduce stress and create space in your daily life for recovery from the symptoms.

• In some cases headaches, abdominal painm and diarrhea also accompanies Meniere's disease.

• See related articles on this page for more health information and help.