Meniere's disease
What is Meniere's disease
Meniere's disease is a condition
related to the inner ear, affecting mainly people over 40-50. It is also
referred to as an endolymphatic hydrocele or labyrinth, because fluid is stored
in the membranous labyrinth. The disease is characterized, among others:
- dizziness,
- tinnitus,
- hearing problems.
The mechanism of the occurrence of
Meniere's disease is not fully known, however it is known that the symptoms of
this ailment can be alleviated in many ways. It is by changing the lifestyle,
pharmacology or surgery.
Meniere's disease - causes
The inner ear is the organ
responsible for the proper hearing. In addition, there is a labyrinth in its
interior - an organ of balance. The inner ear is filled with fluids, e.g.
endolimfą. Its increased pressure is the key reason for all the symptoms of
Meniere's disease. Researchers do not agree whether the disease is caused by
excessive production of endolymph or its abnormal flow. One thing is certain -
when the pressure of endolymph grows, dizziness appears
and hearing is weakened.
There are no known causes for fluid
accumulation in the middle ear, most assumptions remain unproven. There is no
single explanation for Meniere's disease, because it can be caused by several
factors.
Factors influencing the formation of Meniere's disease
1. Viral infections: especially HPV
type I and II virus infection, Epstein Barr virus and cytomefalovirus.
2. Genetics: genetic predisposition
is also an important factor, although the gene responsible for the disease has
not been found so far. It has been observed that Meniere's disease occurred
earlier in the family.
3. Anatomic disorders: insufficient
temporal bone formation may lead to narrowing and even occlusion of the
endolymphatic tube, which consequently interferes with the circulation of the
fluid and the increase of its pressure.
4. Vascular disorders: there is a
relationship between Meniere's disease and migraines. Migraine is a symptom
that may indicate a disease many years before. Diagnosed patients often admit
that they have had migraines in the past.
5. Metabolic disorders: they cause
the amount of endolymph produced to increase.
6. Psychosomatic disorders.
7. Immunological: It is suspected
that Meinere's disease may be an immune disorder, due to the presence of immune
complexes in the pouch.
Symptoms of Meniere's disease
Symptoms relate to the labyrinth
(balance organ) and hearing organ. They are usually limited to one ear. They
appear suddenly, dizziness and balance disturbances occur. In a situation where Menier's disease persists for a long
period of time or bad treatment has been chosen, the changes can be fixed just
like disorders that occur periodically.
Typical symptoms of Meniere's
disease are:
- violent dizziness, which is accompanied by hearing
difficulties - after the attack, these symptoms disappear spontaneously,
- tinnitus,
- unpleasant feeling of fullness in the ear or ears (if
the disease occurs on both sides),
- hearing impairment.
Dizziness is often preceded by
tinnitus and an unpleasant feeling of fullness in the ear. Such dizziness may
last from several minutes to several hours. Usually, the symptoms affect only
one ear, but with the time when the disease begins to prolong, the symptoms
also affect the other ear. It is absolutely necessary to treat this condition -
if left untreated, it causes severe hearing impairment.
Diagnosis
of Meniere's disease
Diagnosis of Meniere's disease is
based on a medical interview and a more detailed analysis of symptoms. There
are no studies that would one hundred percent determine the presence of
Meniere's disease. However, during the diagnostic process it is recommended to
carry out additional tests in the form of:
- imaging examinations:
we include computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, thanks to
which the doctor can see bone structures and membranous inner ear on the
monitor screen. This test allows detection of any defects in their construction;
- audiometric tests:
thanks to them it is possible to diagnose hearing defects;
- Glycerin tests:
give your doctor oral glycerol, which improves hearing in audiometry.
Dizziness and even vomiting may be the negative effect of this test;
- vestibular tests:
thanks to them it is possible to diagnose excessive activity of the
vestibule on the side affected by the disease.
Treatment
of Meniere's disease
Doctors recommend that patients with
Meniere's disease first of all change their lifestyle and reduce:
- alcohol,
- cigarettes,
- coffee,
- salt,
- chocolate.
Withdrawal of these products can
make an unpleasant ailment in the form of dizziness ease. In addition, it is
important that patients rest a lot and try to avoid stressful situations.
When the above recommendations turn
out to be insufficient, the next step is to start pharmacological treatment.
Specialists most often prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines, corticosteroids
and preparations that increase diuresis. In extreme cases, when in patients
dizziness is particularly troublesome and recurrent, drainage of the tympanic
cavity or cut of the vestibular nerve is performed.
Drainage of the tympanic cavity - this is a procedure during which an apparatus generating
pressure impulses is placed in the inner ear. Thanks to this, the flow and
collection of endolymph is improved.
The intersection of the vestibular
nerve - during the surgery the route of
communication between the labyrinth and centers located in the brain is cut.
This method makes the data on dizziness not recorded by the brain and we do not
feel their unpleasant effects.
Treating Meniere's disease brings
the following benefits:
- dizziness, frequency and severity
are reduced,
- the risk of hearing loss is
reduced,
- it is possible to eliminate
tinnitus,
- stopping the development of the
disease.
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