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Meniere's Disease
Meniere's disease involves a dysfunction of the inner ear or semi-circular canals. The inner ear is a sensory organ responsible for providing the brain with information about the body's relative position in space. Meniere's disease is a relatively rare disorder seen more frequently in middle age. The cause of Meniere's disease remains unknown. Meniere's is a recurrent disorder. Common symptoms include vertigo (spinning sensation), ringing in the ears, decreased hearing acuity, and a sensation of "fullness" in the affected ear. Symptoms can be quite variable, and patients may have more of one symptom than another. Evaluation will include a CT-scan of the head or MRI to rule out any possibility of a central nervous system problem (i.e. brain tumor) which could give rise to these symptoms. Special nerve conduction studies known as "evoked potentials" will disclose abnormal functioning of the auditory erve itself. Treatment for Meniere's is difficult, and it often includes medications to suppress the symptoms. A low salt diet will be recommended. Surgery has been used in the treatment of difficult cases. The Neurologist is the expert in the treatment of this rare disorder.
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