Ménière's Syndrome
From Expert System: Vertigo (dizziness)
Ménière's is a chronic recurrent disabling disease with attacks coming on over a period of years, resulting from excessive accumulation of fluid (endolymph) in the inner ear from various causes. Some physicians insist that if the cause of the excess fluid is unknown the term Ménière's Disease should be used, while if the cause is known, for example thyroid deficiency, inner ear inflammation due to syphilis or other infection, the term Ménière's Syndrome should be used. We include Ménière's Disease in Ménière's Syndrome
Vertigo in Ménière's Syndrome occurs in spontaneous episodes lasting at least 20 minutes, sometimes for hours, with ear fullness, fluctuating hearing loss, roaring tinnitus, sometimes sudden falling spells. These attacks are generally unpredictable, and may occur in clusters over a period of days, weeks, or years, sometimes not to return for long periods of time. The condition usually affects one ear but will go on to involve both ears in 30% to 50% of cases.
Treatment includes anti-motion sickness agents such as meclizine (Antivert©), anti-vomiting drugs such as prochlorperazine, anti-edema agents such as Lasix© and low salt diets. Corticosteroid treatment may be tried in some cases. The presence of many treatments and the absence of known cause of Ménière's Disease suggest poor response to treatment in many cases and the need for life adaptation skills.
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