Meniere’s Disease and Vasopressin Connection
People with Meniere’s disease live their lives worrying every now and then when symptoms may attack. Symptoms are usually dreadful—a combination of ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and severe vertigo. These symptoms repeat every once in a while and can strike anytime—at work or while driving. Patients live a difficult life and need medication, without which symptoms can escalate in degree.
Scientists are looking into possible culprits for none has been truly linked to the disease up to this time. There is also no cure for this condition and medications only target the symptoms. For instance, drugs for Meniere’s disease include diuretics, which reduce the fluids in the body, thus, keeping the fluid pressure in the inner ear low (because the disease is largely accompanied by increase of fluid pressure in the endolymphatic sac). Medical treatment for tinnitus and vertigo are given to patients too.
Anyway, a current theory is inclined to the possible relationship existing between the condition and vasopressin, which is known as an anti-diuretic hormone. Research shows that people with Meniere’s disease have elevated levels of vasopressin in their blood and this is accompanied by an unusual increase of V2 receptor in the inner ears. The study may further understanding regarding the peculiar and elusive condition which a few people in the world suffer from.
