Meniere Disease (cont.)
How is Meniere's disease diagnosed?
The diagnosis of Meniere's disease is primarily made from the history and physical examination. Tinnitus or ear fullness (aural fullness) need to be present to make the diagnosis An audiogram is helpful to show a hearing loss, and to rule-out other abnormalities. It is often helpful, if it can be done safely, to have an audiogram during or immediately following an attack of vertigo. This may show the characteristic low frequency hearing loss. As the disease progresses hearing loss usually worsens.
Other tests such as the auditory brain stem response (ABR), a computerized test of the hearing nerves and brain pathways,
computer tomography (CT scan) or, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be needed to rule out a tumor occurring on the hearing or balance nerve. These tumors are rare, but they can cause symptoms similar to Meniere's disease. A full neurological evaluation is performed to exclude other causes of vertigo.
How can Meniere's disease be treated?
- Medications: A diuretic (water pill) such as triamterene (Dyazide, Maxzide) combined with a low salt diet, is the primary treatment of Meniere's disease. Anti-vertigo medications such as
meclizine (Antivert, Bonine, Meni-D, Antrizine) or
diazepam (Valium) may provide temporary relief during the attacks of vertigo. Anti-nausea medications
[for example, promethazine (Phenergan)] sometimes also
are prescribed. Both anti-vertigo and anti-nausea medications may cause drowsiness.
- Surgery: If vertigo attacks are not controlled medically and are disabling, one of the following surgical procedures may be recommended depending on the individual patient's situation:
- endolymphatic shunt (A surgical procedure in which a shunt (tube) is
placed in the endolymphatic sac that drains excess fluid from the ear.)
- selective vestibular neurectomy
- labyrinthectomy (surgical removal of the labyrinth of the ear) and eighth nerve section.
Although there is no real cure for Meniere's disease, the attacks of vertigo can be controlled in nearly all cases. If you have vertigo without warning, you should not drive, because failure to control the vehicle may be hazardous to yourself and to others. Safety may require you to forego ladders, scaffolds, and swimming.
Meniere's Disease At A Glance
- Meniere's disease is a disorder of the flow of fluids of the inner ear.
- Symptoms of Meniere's disease include ringing, ear fullness, hearing loss, and poor equilibrium.
- Diagnosis of Meniere's disease is usually based on history and exam, though other tests can be used.
- Treatments for Meniere's disease include diet and life style changes, medications, and surgery.
Last Editorial Review: 11/10/2008
- diazepam, Valium - Describes the medication diazepam (Valium), a drug used for the short-term relief of symptoms related to anxiety disorders.
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
- Tinnitus - Learn about tinnitus, or ringing in the ears caused by exposure to loud noises, medication (aspirin), and some diseases like Meniere's disease.
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