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What Is Ménière's Disease?

Ménière's disease affects the inner ear. It occurs when there is an increase in the endolymph, a fluid in the inner the ear. It usually affects one ear and it can cause progressive hearing loss.

  1. History

    • Ménière's disease is named after doctor Prosper Ménière who discovered that vertigo stemmed from issues of the ear.

    Symptoms

    • Common symptoms of Ménière's disease are ringing in the ears, dizziness and a filling of pressure and fullness in the ear. Since Ménière's disease is progressive, it usually begins mild and gets worse.

    Causes

    • Though the causes of Ménière's disease are not certain, doctors suspect the herpes virus to be a leading factor. There is also correlation between neck trauma and the disorder.

    Diagnosis

    • Since many disorders share symptoms with Ménière's disease, a doctor must use a MRI to exclude other disease. Ménière's disease is diagnosed by ruling out other possible causes.

    Treatment

    • Drugs are used to manage symptoms and in severe cases, surgery may be necessary. There is no way to reverse damage, though anti-herpes drugs have proven to help treat the disease.

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