|  | Conditions Treatments | Migraines

Migraine and Meniere's Disease

In 1861, a disorder of the inner ear, causing vertigo, tinnitus, ear pressure and fluctuating hearing loss, was described by French physician Prosper Meniere. This disorder is now known as Meniere's disease.

  1. Identification

    • Living with Meniere's

      The cause of Meniere's disease is unknown and there is no definitive test by which to diagnose Meniere's. Patients with Meniere's report experiencing nausea and vomiting, but usually as a consequence of the symptom vertigo. Some report forgetfulness or memory loss, confusion or disorientation. Meniere's disease consists of episodic symptoms, meaning patients will experience episodes when symptoms worsen and times when they have no symptoms at all. Attacks of Meniere's are considered to be severe episodes.

    Symptoms

    • Effects on the ears

      Typically, a Meniere's attack is preceded by fullness in one ear. Changes in tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or fluctuations in hearing may also be experienced just before an attack. An episode of Meniere's will usually include severe vertigo, loss of balance, nausea and/or vomiting.

    Migraines

    • Migraine

      Migraines are periodic attacks on one or both sides of the head, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, visual disturbances and other symptoms. Migraines do not always include headaches and they may or may not be preceded by aura.

    Symptoms of Migraine

    • Migraine depression.

      Migraine symptoms can include moderate to severe throbbing head pain that is most commonly found on one side of the head. Pain is usually located near the eye of the affected side of the head and can worsen with physical activity. Migraines can cause sensitivity to light and sound and can cause debilitating pain which affects daily activities. There is no cure for migraines, but treatments are available.

    Connection of Meniere's and Migraine

    • Medicinal treatments.

      Nearly 13 percent of the adult United States population suffers from migraine, with the highest prevalence in women of child-bearing age. Migraines have frequently been misdiagnosed by sufferers as sinus headaches, thus left untreated.

      According to Reploeg, Goebel and Radke, "In a small study of persons with Meniere's disease, the prevalence of Migraine was about 50 percent, compared with a figure of about 25 percent in the non-Meniere's population."

Migraines - Related Articles