Question 1

what is meniere's disease?

Accepted Answer

Meniere's: Is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo low pitched tinnitus and hearing loss.

Question 2

does menieres come in attacks?

Accepted Answer

Yes..usually so: Hallmark f meniere's disease: fluctuating hearing loss, occasional episodic vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in ear),  and aural fullness sensation in ear...A person is often without symptoms until an attack occurs..Pperisstent tinnitus with progressive hearing loss and imbalance may occur with recurrent attacks..So treatment and follow-up are recommended..
Good luck.

Question 3

is meniere's disease hereditary?

Accepted Answer

To a small extent.: Meniere's may be due to multiple factors. Theories do include a genetic predisposition, as patients with the disease and a family history have an earlier age of onset and more severe symptoms from one generation to the next. Other theories include fluid build-up in the inner ear due to blockage, a viral infection, and an autoimmune condition. As such, most cases are not familial.

Question 4

how common is meniere's disease?

Accepted Answer

Not common: Meniere's disease affections 12/1000 people in the US... About 0.2% of the population. Unfortunately, it is way over-diagnosed. What we call a "trash can diagnosis" - if nothing else can cause the symptoms... It is called Meniere's. It has 4 specific findings: 1) vertigo (often incapacitating lasting hours/days) 2) hearing loss 3) tinnitus 4) headache or ear pressure. All on the same side.

Question 5

how can meniere's disease be diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

History, exam, eng: Usually based on a good history (discussing the details of your symptoms), physical exam (including hearing, looking into ears, neurologic exam, and vestibular exam), and perhaps formal hearing (audiometry) and balance center testing (vng/eng).  Confirming diagnosis may often depend on seeing how you do with trying some medications as well. Imaging (ct, mri) often done to avoid missing other causes.

Question 6

what conditions are similar to menieres?

Accepted Answer

Vertigo: The symptoms of meniere's are variable and can present at different times. Patients can get spontaneous episodes of vertigo with or without nausea and vomiting, ringing in the ears, progressive hearing loss, or feeling of pressure in the ears. These symptoms may also present in conditions such as thyroid dysfunction, autoimmune disease, acoustic neuroma, multiple sclerosis, and must be ruled out.

Question 7

what are the tests for meniere's disease?

Accepted Answer

Clinical: Mostly clinical. May need an audiometry for loss of hearing.

Question 8

what are the symptoms of meniere's disease?

Accepted Answer

Meniere's symptoms: Symptoms of meniere's disease are a sensation of pressure in the affected ear, ringing or roaring in the ear, dizziness or vertigo of varying intensity and hearing loss. Hearing loss tends to be worse at the peak of the episode, then slowly improves.

Over time, hearing loss progressively worsens.

Question 9

are there complications of meniere's disease?

Accepted Answer

Meniere's disease: Complications of meniere's disease include progressive hearing loss, falls and accidents from vertigo, and anxiety or depression from uncertainty of the course of the disease and its symptoms.

Question 10

does meniere's disease lead to total disability?

Accepted Answer

Rare: Few people due to the severity of their hearing loss and the frequency of their vertigo will become disabled from long term meniere's disease.

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Menieres

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What is meniere's disease?

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Does menieres come in attacks?

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Is meniere's disease hereditary?

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How common is meniere's disease?

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How can meniere's disease be diagnosed?

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What conditions are similar to menieres?

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What are the tests for meniere's disease?

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What are the symptoms of meniere's disease?

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Are there complications of meniere's disease?

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Does meniere's disease lead to total disability?

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