Ménière’s Disease Doesn’t Have To Be Debilitating

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when reading about Ménière’s disease: it comes with a variety of symptoms and has no cure. But you don’t have to navigate living with this disorder on your own. At ENT NOW – Des Peres, we can provide you with the treatment that will best reduce the impacts of Ménière’s disease on your life.

What Are the Symptoms of Ménière’s Disease?

People with Ménière’s disease experience:

  • Vertigo
  • Hearing loss
  • Tinnitus, or ringing in the ear
  • Pressure or a feeling of fullness in the ear
  • Sensitivity to noise

A diagnosis of Ménière’s disease requires at least two episodes of vertigo that last between 20 minutes and 12 hours; tinnitus or a feeling of fullness in the ear; hearing loss and excluding other potential causes of these symptoms.

Statistics About Ménière’s Disease

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders:

Form relating to the assessment and diagnosis of Meniere's disease
  • Approximately 615,000 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with Ménière’s disease as of 2017.
  • Around 45,500 new cases are diagnosed each year. 

What Causes Ménière’s Disease?

The symptoms of Ménière’s disease are a result of an excess amount of fluid in the inner ear, but it’s unknown what causes this to happen. Medical professionals think Ménière’s disease is a result of multiple factors.

How Is Ménière’s Disease Treated?

There is no cure for Ménière’s disease, but it can be managed in a variety of ways. Our doctor may suggest: 

  • Medications to reduce dizziness or nausea. 
  • Diuretics to reduce fluid in the inner ear. 
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy, which uses exercises to help with balance issues. 
  • Reducing salt intake, which will cause the body to retain less fluid. 
  • Hearing aids to treat hearing loss associated with the disorder. 
  • Pressure pulse treatment, which involves applying pressure to improve fluid flow through the ear. 
  • In extreme cases, injections of medications into the ear.

When Should I Consider Surgery?

If the symptoms of Ménière’s disease are severe and do not respond to other treatments, our provider will work with you to determine if surgery is a viable option. Surgeries for Ménière’s disease include:

  • Endolymphatic sac decompression: The endolymphatic sac is a balloon-shaped structure in the inner ear filled with fluid. During this procedure, excess fluid from the sac is released.
  • Vestibular nerve section: The nerve that connects movement and balance in the inner ear to the brain is cut during this procedure. The goal is to alleviate vertigo while preserving hearing.
  • Labyrinthectomy: This procedure involves removing the balance portion of the inner ear, which will remove balance and hearing from the impacted ear. A labyrinthectomy is only performed if you have already lost most hearing in the ear.

We’re Here for You

At ENT NOW – Des Peres, we’re here to support you as you navigate life with Ménière’s disease. It can be stressful to deal with the symptoms, but you don’t have to do so by yourself. Our team will provide the treatment plan that works best for you