| Ménière's is a long-term disorder of the inner ear | | | | are various methods of treatment and support. There |
| that affects your hearing, balance and quality of life. | | | | is no specific test for Ménière's disease but you |
| This article explores causes, symptoms, and treatment | | | | can be assessed for hearing and balance. |
| options. | | | | Treatment for Ménière's DiseaseMénière's is a |
| Ménière's is a disease of the inner ear. The ear is | | | | slow, progressive disease so it's possible to have a |
| divided into three different parts - inner, middle and | | | | day-to-day management plan in place. Speak to your |
| outer, which are responsible for different things. The | | | | GP initially for advice and to rule out any other health |
| inner part consists of tubes of fluid, which control our | | | | conditions that may be causing your symptoms. Here's |
| hearing and balance. Ménière's causes cell damage | | | | an outline of the various treatment methods: - |
| to the inner ear. It is a gradual disorder, initially affecting | | | | Drugs can help to control sickness or vertigo during an |
| one ear. | | | | attack. Betahistamine (Serc) is a drug that helps to |
| Causes of Ménière's DiseaseAccording to the | | | | reduce pressure build-up, reducing the severity of an |
| Ménière's Society the following can trigger it:- | | | | attack. Sedatives to help control nausea are also |
| Autoimmune conditions, viral infections or allergies.An | | | | available.Hearing aids – your GP can refer you to a |
| imbalance in salt and potassium in the inner ear fluid.By | | | | specialist who can advise on hearing loss and suitable |
| diseases that affect the blood vessels in the inner | | | | aids.Sound therapy – Music CDs or noise |
| ear.Hereditary factors.It has been linked to | | | | generators can help with tinnitus.‘Vestibular |
| migraines.Symptoms of Ménière's DiseaseThe | | | | Rehabilitation Exercises' can help with balance |
| main symptoms are tinnitus, vertigo, nausea and a | | | | problems in later stages of Ménières's.Counselling |
| steady loss of hearing. Often, a sufferer will have | | | | and support – this is imperative in helping you deal |
| ‘attacks' of vertigo, which can be short-lived or | | | | with Ménière's on a day-to-day basis. It can help |
| several hours long, occurring once or repeatedly. | | | | you reassess how you feel about the condition – |
| These are unpredictable and disabling, which makes | | | | for example, seeing tinnitus as part of you rather than |
| the condition stressful and difficult to cope with. A | | | | an external thing that you are fighting against.Surgery |
| sufferer may become anxious, depressed and fearful | | | | – there are various forms of surgery that can help |
| of every day activities such as driving in case they | | | | with pressure in the inner ear and vertigo.Nutrition – |
| bring on an attack. Symptoms will change as the | | | | research has shown that a diet low in salt can help |
| condition develops and can be affected by stressful | | | | prevent attacks of vertigo.Adapting your lifestyle – |
| situations or activities. | | | | reducing stress, changing jobs, relaxation, regular |
| It's important to seek medical advice if you are | | | | exercise and complementary therapies can help. |
| experiencing any of the above symptoms, as there | | | | |