Ménière’s Disease

• Vertigo: A sensation of spinning or moving that can last minutes to hours.
• Hearing Loss: Often fluctuates and may progress over time; hearing loss is required for diagnosis.
• Tinnitus: A persistent ringing or buzzing in the ear.
• Fullness in the Ear: A sensation of pressure or fullness in the affected ear.
• Affects One or Both Ears: Ménière’s disease can occur in one ear or, less commonly, in both ears.

There is a notable overlap between Ménière’s disease and migraine:

• Shared Symptoms: Both conditions can cause vertigo, and dizziness, and may involve similar neurological pathways.
• Potential Common Causes: Increased fluid pressure in the inner ear could be linked to elevated spinal fluid pressures, potentially triggering both conditions. However, the exact relationship is not fully understood.

While both conditions cause dizziness and vertigo, they have distinct features:

• Ménière’s Disease:
  
  • Hearing Loss: More common in Ménière’s disease and is a key differentiator.
  • Age of Onset: Often occurs later in life, with no gender predominance.
• Vestibular Migraine:
  
  • Migraine Symptoms: Often includes migraine-like symptoms (light sensitivity, nausea, headache).
  • Association with Migraine Attacks: Vertigo often occurs during or in conjunction with a migraine attack.

If you experience symptoms like vertigo and hearing loss, you may need:

• Hearing Tests: To determine the presence and extent of hearing loss.
• Vertigo Evaluation: Conducted by an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor or a neurotologist. They perform specialized tests to diagnose the source of vertigo and rule out other conditions, such as vestibular migraine or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

For Ménière’s Disease:

• Medications: Diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide with triamterene) help reduce fluid buildup. Low doses of benzodiazepines, like diazepam (Valium), may suppress vertigo attacks.
• Lifestyle Modifications: A low-sodium diet and avoiding caffeine and alcohol may help manage symptoms.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgical procedures may be necessary to relieve pressure in the inner ear.

For Vestibular Migraine:

• Migraine Preventive Medications: Drugs like topiramate, verapamil, or amitriptyline may help reduce the frequency and severity of vertigo episodes.
• Trigger Management: Identifying and avoiding triggers, such as certain foods, stress, or lack of sleep.

You should see a doctor if you:

• Experience frequent or severe vertigo episodes lasting more than a few weeks.
• Have persistent hearing loss or tinnitus.
• Are unsure whether your symptoms are due to Ménière’s disease, vestibular migraine, or another condition.

Typically, an ENT specialist or neurotologist is best suited to diagnose and manage Ménière’s disease.