Meniere's Disease

The ear is separated into three parts. The first is the external ear, then the middle ear and inner ear. Each part does an important function in hearing and balance. The inner ear or labyrinth has two fluid systems. One is suspended inside the other, and separated by a thin membrane. This system has a delicately balanced fluid which bathes nerve endings responsible for hearing and balance. The nerve endings make electrical impulses in the hearing center or cochlea which are then transmitted through the hearing nerve to the brain where they are interpreted as sound. Movement of fluid in the balance portion of the inner ear comes from the electrical impulses which are sent through the balance nerve to the brain where they are interpreted as motion. The inner ear senses posture, rotation, acceleration and deceleration.

Meniere's disease is a problem with the fluid balance regulating system in the inner ear. The cause of the disease is still unknown today. Episodic vertigo is a symptom where you sense spinning or whirling. Along with that is also tinnitus which is where you sense hissing, ringing or roaring usually in only one ear. All these symptoms form a pattern. This pattern is usually a sensation of pressure build up in one ear. Then the vertigo comes, often quite suddenly, and may last for hours or days. The vertigo gets balance back but may take weeks to return to normal. Once the vertigo attack is over hearing then gets better.

Hearing loss comes and goes and the feeling of ear pressure or pain, is usually affected by just one ear. It is a common cause of hearing loss. Symptoms occur suddenly and can happen as often as every day or as seldom as once a year. The symptoms are caused by an imbalance in fluid pressure between two inner ear fluid chambers. There is no cure. Although you are be able to control symptoms by changing your diet or taking medicine. The person is usually recommended to lessen the amount of fluid in the inner ear. Surgical treatment is also an option if the medical help does not work.