What is Ménière’s Disease?
- Bouts of Vertigo (room spinning)
- Hearing loss
- Tinnitus
It’s the unpredictability of the attacks that makes the disease so hard. Usually there aren’t any symptoms (at least that others can see) between attacks. The tinnitus and hearing loss are major symptoms that people may not be noticeable to others.
Many with the disease fear going out, because of the unpredictability of an attack. Holding a conversation can be difficult in crowds or where there’s a lot of background noise. Because of this many people with MD don’t go out where they feel inadequate.
When I first learned I had the disease my prognosis was I would eventually go deaf and have no balance. Now after having spoken with over 900 others with the disease, I know that may not happen for many years or it could happen tomorrow.
How is MD diagnosed? Mostly it’s a rule out other things such as a brain tumor or inner ear damage and your history.
Typically, your doctor will perform a series of basic lab tests, a hearing test, and may consider an imaging study such as an MRI (brain scan) to rule out other causes for the symptoms.
- Hearing test
- Balance testing: VNG, Rotary tests and a few others.
- Test to rule out other causes like MRI.
There is no cure for Ménière’s Disease. There are some things you can do that may help. Medication such as anti-nausea and motion sickness may help. Also diuretics are often prescribed to help with fluid build up in the ear.
Vestibular Therapy can help. And hearing aids are helping some patients. There is also invasive treatments such as steroid and gentamicin injections that help some find relief. Also surgery can be an option.
Still all this will not cure the disease. It will just help make it possible to enjoy life. I got one will continue to enrich my life through music, travel and having fun between episodes.
Love, Peace and Light! Rita
#BAW2018 #BalanceAwareness #MenieresSociety #DefeatDizziness
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