Signs & Symptoms of Meniere's Disease

We have been dealing with Meniere's Disease for over 11 years now.  And we are constantly told that it doesn't really have a "cause". At least, no one has discovered one yet. That is so wrong.

This page is designed to discuss signs and Meniere's Disease symptoms. BUT you NEED to realize that nothing ever happens in our bodies without a cause. So every sign and every symptom has to have a PRECEDING cause. It took us several years to really understand this and then to share it with others. This is a scientific fact.

A doctor comes to this diagnostic conclusion after asking a series of questions. They will have evaluated what is known as the classic Meniere’s symptoms. They may even call it Endolymphatic Hydrops or Vertigo Disease. But the symptoms always relate to the balance and or hearing nerves and the results they produce. And the treatment offered will always reflect the symptoms: never the underlying cause, which ironically can be drug side effects.

One of these unpleasant experiences or episodes of Meniere's is called an "attack".

Typically, an attack is characterized by a combination of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss and lasts several hours. But people experience these discomforts at varying frequency, duration, and intensity. 

People usually experience vertigo, (loss of balance) tinnitus, (ringing or a roaring sound in the ear), and a degrees of hearing loss.

Some people feel nauseated and vomit during an attack (because of the spinning feeling). Some people also notice some hearing loss, especially with sounds that have a low tone.

Some may feel slight vertigo (loss of balance) a few times a year. Others may be occasionally disturbed by intense, uncontrollable tinnitus, (ringing in the ear) while sleeping.
 

Other Meniere's disease sufferers may notice a fluctuating hearing loss and may feel unsteady all day long for prolonged periods. 

Many of these attacks have a sudden onset, giving no warning. So it's difficult to be prepared. It's also very scary for anyone around the sufferer.

The vertigo and dizziness are described as a spinning or whirling feeling and may cause problems with balance (feeling unstable while walking). Dizziness is not quite the same as vertigo. Dizziness is more like lightheadedness. It's not nearly as severe in its balance problems as is vertigo.

Vertigo, often the most debilitating symptom of Meniere's disease, forces the sufferer to lie down. Vertigo attacks can lead to severe nausea, vomiting, and sweating and again, come with little or no warning. 

Tinnitus, (ringing or a roaring sound in the ear), causes great frustration. The person often can't hear above the internal noise: therefore gets left out of conversations and activities. Moreover the noise itself is very irritating. That causes stress. Tinnitus can be a very difficult problem to treat in many individuals and can be quite disruptive to their lifestyle.

Loss of hearing causes many of the same problems as the tinnitus plus it adds its own. The first stage of hearing loss affects the ability to hear low voices and tones. As it progresses, less and less is heard. Again this leads to depression and a feeling of abandonment. But please be very aware of the hearing loss as often we hear that it has returned. Don‘t just assume it’s always going to be this way. No one can tell. The family must be extra aware of all of these side issues. Not only is the person himself feeling emotional and physical pain, but they are also placing extra burden on the family. And they are aware of this. That all leads to more depression.

A person's hearing tends to recover between attacks but over time the symptoms may become worse, or in some cases, never return! People also mention feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. (Or popping, buzzing, or clicking). 

Again, always, keep in mind that NO two bodies are the same way. So the reactions would naturally be different.

Other occasional symptoms of Meniere's disease include headaches, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea.

People talk about feeling extreme fatigue and exhaustion, nausea, & vomiting, the inability to concentrate, distraction, poor memory, confusion, and disorientation. We hear about extreme sensitivity to noise, light sensitivity, headaches, and night blindness. There are complaints of muscle and joint pain, and malaise due to atmospheric pressure changes. Because of these uncontrollable and depressing attacks, some people experience panic attacks. These are not necessarily signs or symptoms of Meniere’s. They are the symptoms people mention alongside their other, more classic, symptoms.

Nystagmus or uncontrollable eye movements refers to rapid involuntary movements of the eyes that may be from side to side (horizontal nystagmus), up and down (vertical nystagmus) or rotary.

This page is designed to talk about signs and symptoms. Please do yourself a huge favour and check into the reason FOR the symptoms.  Here is a link to an article that talks about this very issue; Meniere's Disease cause and effect.

If you would like our observations, please send us an email