Getting To Know Menieres Disease

When it comes to taking care of our body, we should always make it a point to put importance into our ears. Otherwise, we won’t be able to hear and interpret sound the way it normally should be. Keeping our ears healthy is also the same as preserving our sense of hearing and maintaining the body’s equilibrium to efficiently function as a whole. Just like our other body parts, our ears are also vulnerable to different diseases that may put our sense of hearing at a greater risk. These diseases are usually not life threatening though they still bring symptoms that can greatly affect your day to day life. Tinnitus is one condition wherein our ears continuously receive phantom sounds that usually depict an underlying problem. But aside from Tinnitus, there is another disease that brings far severe consequences to the sufferer. The medical condition is called “Menieres Disease” and is considered a primary culprit for many hearing loss cases.

The Background

The Menieres Disease was first discovered in the year 1861 by a French physician named Prosper Ménière. In an article he published during that year, he first mentioned that the medical condition termed “vertigo” was primarily caused by problems of the inner ear. The disease is generally recognized by the occurrence of both vertigo and tinnitus. The sufferer will also encounter progressive hearing loss in one ear but may also occur in both ears. In addition to hearing loss, the sufferer may also hear various sounds in a distorted and abnormal manner. It is helpful to know that this disorder affects people differently depending on the severity of the symptoms. One may develop mild or partial hearing problems while others can suffer from permanent hearing impairment. Regardless of your case, it is important to find solution in the least time possible.

The Symptoms

Because there are quite a number of symptoms that are directly associated with the sickness, a person’s case may be different from the other. The most common symptoms associated with the disease are periodic headaches, nausea, and dizziness, a fullness sensation in one of the ears, continuous ringing inside the ears and various hearing problems. One of the most destructive consequences of having to suffer the disease is the occurrence of vertigo. It is characterized by a form of dizziness wherein a person who is in a stationary position is feeling constant motion. It is as if their surroundings are continuously spinning even if they are not moving. As an effect, the sufferer will experience difficulties in standing or walking and may ultimately result to severe motion sickness. The sufferer may also develop another abnormal medical condition called “nystagmus” wherein the eyes rapidly point to one side and then go back to their original position after.

The Causes

Although the disease has existed for several centuries and has already infected countless individuals all throughout the world, it still remains a complex puzzle for the medical community to ultimately solve. Just as its symptoms, the disease has also numerous probable causes that make it hard for doctors to consider a general diagnosis. A lot of medical practitioners accept the idea that certain abnormalities in the flow of fluids inside the inner ear are the main cause of the disease. When a certain enzyme is lacking from a particular ear due to an illness or disease, certain abnormalities will suddenly surface triggering a new disease. But aside from that, they also do not discount the possibility of various viral and respiratory illnesses as the culprit for such an abnormal condition. The usage of non-prescription drugs is also seen as a culprit.

The Cure

One of the most effective ways in treating the disease is by regulating the different fluids within the body. This is done by implementing dietary changes to the patient. A salt-free diet may help in reducing unnecessary fluids from entering the body. Depending on circumstances, medicine and supplements may also help in reducing the effects of the symptoms. Protein supplements can empower the body to fight off the disease and speed up recovery. If a patient suffers from continuous vomiting, rehydration methods should be administered immediately. In recent time, homeopathic remedies are also seen as an effective cure to the disease. Unlike modern medicine which are backed by scientific findings, homeopathic medicines are only composed of natural ingredients such as herbs and are based on local medical beliefs that are handed down from generation to generation.

Menieres Disease is considered a chronic disease and its effects can last a lifetime. If you continue to ignore its symptoms today, it might just be little time before you completely lose your sense of hearing. Worst, you might also develop more severe problems that will put your whole life at risk. Reducing the destructive effects of the disease involves lifestyle changes and dietary regulation. In the event of an attack, there are various exercises that can be done to minimize its effects. But above all, the best way to fight the disease is to consult with your doctor and seek for effective remedies.