Meniere syndrome is a rare disease that affects the inner ear, characterized by frequent episodes of dizziness, deafness and tinnitus, symptoms that usually appear suddenly and can last a few minutes or persist for hours, and the number and intensity of seizures varies from person to person.
Although the exact causes of this syndrome are not yet clear, it is believed to be caused by excessive fluid buildup in the ear canals.
- If you think you have the syndrome.
- Select the symptoms in the following test.
- Which helps identify symptoms consistent with the syndrome:.
However, it’s important to remember that only your doctor can make the right diagnosis and rule out other possible causes.
In most cases, Meniere syndrome affects only one ear, but can occur in both ears, it can occur in people of all ages, although it is more common between the ages of 20 and 50.
Although there is no cure, there are treatments for this syndrome, indicated by the otolaryngologist, that can control the disease, such as the use of diuretics, a low sodium diet and physiotherapy, for example.
Diagnosis of Meniere syndrome is usually made by the otolaryngologist through the assessment of symptoms and medical history. Some of the requirements for diagnosis include having 2 episodes of dizziness that last at least 20 minutes, having a proven hearing loss with a hearing test, and having the constant feeling of hissing in the ear.
Before the final diagnosis, your doctor may perform several ear tests to make sure there is no other cause that can cause the same type of symptoms, such as an infection or a perforated eardrum. Find out what other causes of vertigo and how to differentiate them.
Although there is no cure for Meniér syndrome, it is possible to use different types of treatment to reduce, among other things, the feeling of dizziness. One of the first treatments used to control seizures is the use of remedies for nausea, such as meclybin.or promethazine, for example, or tranquilizers.
To control the disease and reduce the frequency of seizures, treatment is also indicated that includes the use of medications, such as diuretics, betahistin, vasodilators, corticosteroids or immunosuppressants to decrease immune activity in the ear.
In addition, restricting salt, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine is recommended, as well as avoiding a lot of stress, as they can trigger more seizures. Physiotherapy for vestibular rehabilitation is indicated as a way to strengthen balance and, if hearing is severely disabled, the use of a hearing aid.
However, if symptoms don’t improve, the otolologist can still inject medications directly into the eardrum, so that they are absorbed through the ear, such as gentamicin or dexamethasone.In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to decompress the inner ear or decrease the action.auditory nerve, for example.
Learn more about treating this syndrome
The specific cause of Meniere syndrome is not yet known, however, the most accepted theory is that it occurs due to excessive fluid buildup in the ear canals.
Factors that may contribute to this buildup include:
It is also possible that this syndrome is caused by the combination of these factors.
Also watch the video below and see which diet is right for people with Meniere syndrome: