Meniere’s Disease By: Cindy Infante Psychology (HONORS)

What is Meniere’s Disease ? Ménière disease is a syndrome in which you experience episodes of spinning vertigo (sense of the room spinning), hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Between the unpredictable attacks, you usually do not have any problems or symptoms of the disease. Ménière disease is a syndrome in which you experience episodes of spinning vertigo (sense of the room spinning), hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Between the unpredictable attacks, you usually do not have any problems or symptoms of the disease.syndromevertigohearing losstinnitusearsyndromevertigohearing losstinnitusear

Ménière disease was first described in 1861 by the French physician Prosper Ménière.

Causes The cause of Meniere's disease isn't well understood. It appears to be the result of the abnormal volume or composition of fluid in the inner ear. The cause of Meniere's disease isn't well understood. It appears to be the result of the abnormal volume or composition of fluid in the inner ear.

Factors that alter the properties of inner ear fluid may help cause Meniere's disease. Improper fluid drainage, perhaps because of a blockage or anatomic abnormality Improper fluid drainage, perhaps because of a blockage or anatomic abnormality Abnormal immune response Abnormal immune response Allergies Allergies Viral infection Viral infection Genetic predisposition Genetic predisposition Head trauma Head trauma Migraines Migraines

How is Meniere’s disease diagnosed? Diagnosis is based on a combination of the right set of symptoms (usually episodic dizziness and hearing disturbance); hearing tests, which document that hearing is reduced after an attack, and then gets better; and exclusion of alternative causes. Diagnosis is based on a combination of the right set of symptoms (usually episodic dizziness and hearing disturbance); hearing tests, which document that hearing is reduced after an attack, and then gets better; and exclusion of alternative causes.

Target Population Ménière disease affects people of all ages, especially those of middle age or older. It is, however, uncommon in children Ménière disease affects people of all ages, especially those of middle age or older. It is, however, uncommon in children Meniere’s disease affects roughly 0.2% of the population. Interestingly, the Framingham study found that 2% of the population of the United States believe they have Meniere’s disease, suggesting that there is considerable chance of misdiagnosis. Meniere’s disease affects roughly 0.2% of the population. Interestingly, the Framingham study found that 2% of the population of the United States believe they have Meniere’s disease, suggesting that there is considerable chance of misdiagnosis.

Affects with CNS/PNS An acute attack of Meniere’s disease is generally believed to result from fluctuating pressure of the fluid within the inner ear. This is called “hydrops”. A system of membranes, called the membranous labyrinth, contains a fluid called endolymph. The membranes can become dilated like a balloon when pressure increases. One way for this to happen is when the drainage system, called the endolymphatic duct or sac is blocked. In some cases, the endolymphatic duct may be obstructed by scar tissue, or may be narrow from birth. In some cases there may be too much fluid secreted by the stria vascularis. Recently, some have pointed out that this “central hypothesis” of Meniere’s is questionable, as many normal people without Meniere’s have evidence of increased pressure in the inner ear too. An acute attack of Meniere’s disease is generally believed to result from fluctuating pressure of the fluid within the inner ear. This is called “hydrops”. A system of membranes, called the membranous labyrinth, contains a fluid called endolymph. The membranes can become dilated like a balloon when pressure increases. One way for this to happen is when the drainage system, called the endolymphatic duct or sac is blocked. In some cases, the endolymphatic duct may be obstructed by scar tissue, or may be narrow from birth. In some cases there may be too much fluid secreted by the stria vascularis. Recently, some have pointed out that this “central hypothesis” of Meniere’s is questionable, as many normal people without Meniere’s have evidence of increased pressure in the inner ear too.

Symptoms Hearing loss Hearing loss Ringing in the ear (tinnitus) Ringing in the ear (tinnitus) Feeling of fullness in the ear Feeling of fullness in the ear Headache that is unusual or severe for you Headache that is unusual or severe for you Double vision or loss of vision Double vision or loss of vision Speech impairment Speech impairment Leg or arm weakness Leg or arm weakness Loss of consciousness Loss of consciousness Falling or difficulty walking Falling or difficulty walking Numbness or tingling Numbness or tingling Chest pain Chest pain

Prognosis Ménière's disease often can find the right combination of lifestyle changes and medication to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Patients with severe, disabling symptoms may get relief with surgery, but the risks and benefits need to be weighed carefully. Ménière's disease often can find the right combination of lifestyle changes and medication to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Patients with severe, disabling symptoms may get relief with surgery, but the risks and benefits need to be weighed carefully.

Cure / Vaccine or Treatment Cure / Vaccine or Treatment No cure exists for Meniere's disease, but a number of strategies may help you manage some symptoms. Research shows that most people with Meniere's disease respond to treatment, although long-term hearing loss is difficult to prevent. No cure exists for Meniere's disease, but a number of strategies may help you manage some symptoms. Research shows that most people with Meniere's disease respond to treatment, although long-term hearing loss is difficult to prevent. Long-term medication use Long-term medication use Noninvasive therapies and procedures Noninvasive therapies and procedures Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Hearing Aid Hearing Aid Meniett Device- For vertigo that's hard to treat, this therapy involves the application of positive pressure to the middle ear to improve fluid exchange. A device called a Meniett pulse generator applies pulses of pressure to the ear canal through a ventilation tube. The treatment is performed at home, usually three times a day for five minutes at a time. Meniett Device- For vertigo that's hard to treat, this therapy involves the application of positive pressure to the middle ear to improve fluid exchange. A device called a Meniett pulse generator applies pulses of pressure to the ear canal through a ventilation tube. The treatment is performed at home, usually three times a day for five minutes at a time.

Notable Case Alan Shepard - (November 18, July 21, 1998) was the first American in space and the fifth person to walk on the moon, commanding the Apollo 14 mission. In the early 1964 Shepard was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. The condition caused him to be removed from flight status for most of the 1960's as the disease cause disorientation, dizziness and nausea. In 1963 Shepard was designated Chief of the Astronaut office which involved monitoring the coordination, schedule, and control of all activities involving the NASA astronauts. Shepard was eventually restored to full flight status by 1969 after going through corrective surgery. At the age of 47 years old, he was the oldest astronaut in the program when he took part in his second space flight as commander of the Apollo 14. Alan Shepard - (November 18, July 21, 1998) was the first American in space and the fifth person to walk on the moon, commanding the Apollo 14 mission. In the early 1964 Shepard was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. The condition caused him to be removed from flight status for most of the 1960's as the disease cause disorientation, dizziness and nausea. In 1963 Shepard was designated Chief of the Astronaut office which involved monitoring the coordination, schedule, and control of all activities involving the NASA astronauts. Shepard was eventually restored to full flight status by 1969 after going through corrective surgery. At the age of 47 years old, he was the oldest astronaut in the program when he took part in his second space flight as commander of the Apollo 14.dizziness and nauseadizziness and nausea

Celebrities with Meniere Disease Emily Dickinson - poet born 1830's Emily Dickinson - poet born 1830's Peggy Lee - singer 1920 – 2002 Peggy Lee - singer 1920 – 2002

Organizations and Facilities Vestibular Disorders Association Vestibular Disorders Association Vestibular Disorders Association Vestibular Disorders Association RSS Feeds RSS Feeds RSS Feeds RSS Feeds Directory of Organizations (Deafness and Communication Disorders) Directory of Organizations (Deafness and Communication Disorders) Directory of Organizations (Deafness and Communication Disorders) Directory of Organizations (Deafness and Communication Disorders)

Citations Meniere's disease - MayoClinic.com Meniere's disease - MayoClinic.com Meniere's disease - MayoClinic.com Meniere's disease - MayoClinic.com