An Explanation of What Meniere's Disease Is and How It Affects Meniere's Sufferers.

Meniere's disease is the name of a disorder or condition of the inner ear. No one knows its cause. Although we don't have a specific cause for Meniere's, we do recognize that the major symptoms are very debilitating. These are dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

Therefore, they are the focus of most of our research and treatments.

Meniere's disease has to do with fluid and balance in the (semi-circular) canals of the inner ear. Our balance and sense of position (laying down, standing upright) is governed by these fluid-filled canals called semicircular canals, located here. When your head moves, endolymph (fluid) moves, causing nerve receptors in the membranous labyrinth in the inner ear to send signals to the brain about the body's motion. An increase in endolymph, however, can cause the membranous labyrinth to balloon or dilate, a condition known as endolymphatic hydrops. Experts think that a rupture of the membranous labyrinth allows the endolymph to mix with perilymph, (another inner ear fluid) that occupies the space between the membranous labyrinth and the bony inner ear. This mixing, scientists believe, can cause the symptoms of Meniere's disease. The inner ear is responsible for the levels, filtration, and excretion of fluids in this area of the ear. (This is a VERY simplistic explanation of what happens. )

In a healthy ear, a message is triggered from the inner ear to the brain, letting the brain know that there is some sort of imbalance. The brain sends a return message asking the inner ears' nerve cells to correct this imbalance.

Our cells automatically carry out this message or command. It is our body's intention to be "in balance" at all times, so it adjusts for any differences.

In Meniere's Disease these filtration and excretion seems to be hindered or impaired. So any message is either not going to be received correctly nor will it be interpreted and returned appropriately. This leads to swelling. And that in turn creates an imbalance in the fluctuation of fluid levels within the inner ear. (Again a simplistic interpretation.)

Although it can be troublesome, Meniere's is not something that's contagious and it isn't fatal.

However, it's a "chronic" problem, which means that it lasts a long time. People with Meniere's disease don't have symptoms all the time. When symptoms occur, it's called an "attack." Attacks may happen often, or only sometimes. And they are totally without warning! Attacks can last from minutes to hours, but rarely last a full day. They can occur during the day or happen in the night. However, because of the exhaustion that follows one of these attacks, the person is usually "out of circulation" for the rest of the day, maybe longer.

Meniere's disease usually occurs in only one ear. It affects both ears in only about 30% of patients. The major symptoms that cause most of our difficulty are characterized by abnormal sensation of movement (vertigo), loss of hearing, and noises or ringing (tinnitus) in one or both ears.

This condition has an affect on the entire family. Not only does the person have the attack, but the family either has to tiptoe around and be very still. Frequently they are speaking to a person that can't hear them very well, either one or both ears. It's very frustrating and tiring.

So the effects are long lasting and pervasive. Because depression is one of the side effects, many people need additional support. So the effects are spread throughout the family.

Most of the people afflicted with Meniere's are adults, but we see a few children and younger adults. This is a very discouraging situation for them. They often miss school or lose their jobs.

Scientists are investigating several possible causes of the disease, including environmental factors, such as noise pollution and viral infections, as well as biological factors such as:

Middle ear infections.... Head injuries.... Syphilis.... Viral and /or bacterial infections..... Stress..... Fatigue.... Alcohol or smoking.... Allergies

We have another article on the website, Meniere's Disease in Detail, that you also may find helpful.