Ménière's disease
Overview
Ménière's disease is a rare inner ear condition that can affect your balance and hearing. It cannot be cured, but treatment can help the symptoms.
Symptoms
Vertigo (spinning); tinnitus; hearing loss; pressure in ear. Attacks last minutes to 24 hours.
Causes
Fluid build-up in inner ear (endolymph). Unknown exact cause. Triggers: stress, salt, caffeine.
Treatment
There's no cure for Ménière's disease, but your symptoms can be managed with treatment. Treatment includes: medicines to help symptoms such as vertigo, feeling sick and being sickhearing aidshelp to manage yourtinnitus, which can include different types of therapyhelp to improve your balance (vestibular rehabilitation) Rarely, you may be offered surgery on your inner ear if you're finding it difficult to manage your symptoms. Ménière's disease can have an impact on your everyday life, which can affect your mental health. Counsellingand relaxation techniques, such asbreathing exercises, can help.
Prevention
Low salt diet; avoid caffeine/alcohol; stop smoking. Regular sleep.
When to see a doctor
See GP if: symptoms of vertigo/hearing loss affect life. Sudden hearing loss needs urgent care.