Disease of the Day: Meniere disease

Meniere disease is a fairly rare condition with an incidence of ~10-150 per 100,000 persons. The disease is named after the French physician Prosper Menière who first suggested that the inner ear might be the cause of these patients' symptoms. Though the exact cause of Meniere disease is not completely understood, it is thought to be due to an abnormal buildup of fluid in the inner ear.

The classic triad of Meniere disease is episodic vertigo (sensation of the room spinning), tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or ear fullness, and hearing loss. These episodes of vertigo can last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours--you can imagine that these symptoms can be very debilitating and impact an individual's daily life.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Meniere disease. However, adequate symptom management can significantly improve quality of life! Dietary changes, such as reducing salt, caffeine, and alcohol intake, are the first step. If lifestyle changes do not relieve symptoms, pharmacologic approaches (diuretics, motion sickness medications) may be utilized. Additionally, vestibular therapy may help patients with improving their balance and reducing vertigo. As always, early diagnosis and management can improve daily functioning and prevent long-term complications.