Meniere’s disease is an inner ear problem impacting your balance and hearing. It usually only affects one ear at a time. However, over a period of time, up to half of those suffering from it see it affect their other ear as well. It is most often seen in those in the age range of 40 to 60, but anyone can experience it. It affects as many as 3 to 5 million people in the USA.
Table of Contents
Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease
The symptoms of Meniere’s disease tend to come on as an attack or an episode, meaning they happen at once and then you will usually not experience any symptoms in between attacks. The symptoms include:
- Loss of balance
- Loss of hearing in the affected ear
- Tinnitus — a ringing sensation in the ear
- A feeling of congestion or fullness in the ear
- Vertigo lasting from a few minutes to no more than 24 hours
- Nausea, vomiting, and sweating
- Headaches
If you have Meniere’s disease, you will have at least two or three of the following symptoms at the same time:
- Vertigo
- Hearing loss
- Aural fullness
- Tinnitus
A few people with Meniere’s disease have what is called a drop attack where you suddenly fall to the ground without warning. It may feel like someone pushed you from behind. You do not actually pass out, and you will recover in a few seconds or minutes. This can be very scary and dangerous, especially for elderly people.
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Causes of Meniere’s Disease
The exact cause of Meniere’s disease remains a mystery. Many theories abound but have yet to be proven and agreed upon. One popular theory has to do with excess fluid building up in the inner ear. Researchers are not sure why some have fluid buildup. It may be that your body does not drain the fluid from the ears properly or simply produces too much of it. This excess fluid creates pressure in the part of the ear that controls balance. It has been seen some of those with Meniere’s have excess fluid. However, recent research has revealed not all of those suffering from Meniere’s have it. Therefore, there must be other factors at play.
It is impossible to know exactly who will get Meniere’s disease. However, those with the following may have a higher risk of developing it:
- Genetics — those with a family member who has it
- Auto-immune diseases — diabetes, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis
- Head or neck injuries
- Allergies
- Viral infections of the inner ear
Reduced Blood Flow to the Brain and Meniere’s Disease
Interesting research is being done at the University of Colorado School of Medicine concerning blood flow to the brain and how it may be the underlying cause of Meniere’s disease. Finding this out can help in the approach of how to care for this disabling condition. Carol Foster, MD, from the department of otolaryngology, and Robert Breeze, MD, a neurosurgeon, report a strong association between Meniere’s disease and other conditions involving temporary restriction of blood flow to the brain such as occurs with migraines.
They go on to relate if their hypothesis is confirmed, by caring for vascular risk factors to control the symptoms, the need for surgeries to destroy the balance function of the ear may not be necessary. This also is good news when it comes to hearing loss. Foster says if attacks can be controlled, then hearing loss may not even enter the picture.
Two factors seem to play a role in these attacks:
- A malformation of the inner ear, endolymphatic hydrops (inner ear fluid)
- Risk factors for vascular disease in the brain, such as a migraines, sleep apnea, smoking, and atherosclerosis
The theory is based on the fact that fluid buildup in the inner ear can be indicative of the presence of a pressure-regulation problem causing mild, intermittent drops in blood flow in the ear. Vascular diseases that also lower blood flow to the brain and ear and sudden loss of blood flow, similar to a mini-stroke (TIA) in the brain, can be registered in the inner ear sensory tissues. When the tissues that sense hearing and motion are starved of blood, they cease sending signals to the brain, inducing vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. If this theory proves to be true, it would open up a number of care options for this condition that up until now has had few successful procedures.
Keeping the Blood Flowing Properly
An interesting connection has been seen between improper blood flow to the brain and a misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine. The C1 and C2 vertebrae are the top bones of the spine. They support the weight of the head and protect the brainstem. Because of their unique shape and location, they are prone to misaligning quite easily. A simple blow to the head or neck can move these bones out of place. When this occurs, a couple of things happen that can impede the flow of blood to the brain. First, the brainstem is impacted negatively, and it begins sending improper signals to the brain about what is happening in the body. Second, the bones of the neck can act as a kind of blockage to the flow of blood going to the brain. Either of these things can cause Meniere’s disease to occur, along with other vascular conditions.
Here at Upper Cervical Chiropractic San Diego in San Diego, California, we use a method that is gentle and safe to help reposition the bones of the upper spine. We are not required to use force to get positive results. For example, we do not crack the neck or pop the spine to move the bones. Rather, the technique is gentle and effective and encourages the bones to realign naturally. Much evidence from case studies supports the idea that this does help with Meniere’s disease.
To schedule a consultation with Upper Cervical Chiropractic San Diego, call 858-434-5926 or just click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
