Meniere's Disease Research Paper

Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s disease

Sierra Payne Meniere’s Disease

Meniere Disease is an chronic, incurable vestibular (inner ear) condition characterized by reoccurring vertigo (false sensation of spinning or moving) fluctuating hearing loss (in lower frequencies) and tinnitus (noise in the ear). Meniere Disease is thought to be caused by an imbalance in the fluid normally present in the third inner ear. The endolymphatic sac is a pouch like structure where fluid in the ear is held and is constantly being secreted and reabsorbed, maintaining a constant amount. Either an increase or decrease in production of the inner ear fluid results in an imbalance.

Meniere 's Disease gets its name from Prosper Meniere, a French physician from

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that approximately 615,000 individuals in the United States are currently diagnosed with Meniere 's Disease and that 45,500 cases are newly diagnosed each year.

Many theories exist about what happens to cause Meniere 's Disease, but no definite answers are available. Some researchers think that Meniere 's disease is the result of constrictions in blood vessels similar to those that cause migraine headaches. Others think Meniere 's Disease could be a consequence of viral infections, allergies or autoimmune reactions. Because Meniere 's disease appears to run in families, it could also be a result of genetic variations that cause abnormalities in the volume or regulation of endolymph fluid.

Meniere 's Disease does not have a cure yet, but a doctor may recommend some of treatments to help a person cope with the condition. A low-salt diet, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and taking a diuretic (drugs such as hydrochlorothiazide or acetazolamide that increases excretion of urine) may help to lower the frequency of vertigo attacks in most people. However, treatment may not stop the gradual hearing loss and most people have moderate to severe hearing loss in the affected ear within 10 to

There are several procedures available for people who are disabled by frequent vertigo attacks despite drug treatment. The procedures aim to either reduce fluid pressure in the inner ear or destroy inner ear balance function. The least destructive of these procedures is called endolymphatic sac decompression. Essentially, the bone overlaying the endolymphatic sac is exposed and a thin sheet of flexible plastic material is placed over the ear.

People who have severe, frequent episodes despite these treatments may need a surgical procedure. Cutting the vestibular nerve permanently destroys inner ear balance, while preserving hearing, and is successful 95% of the time in controlling vertigo. Although, none of the surgical procedures to treat vertigo are useful in treating the hearing loss that often accompanies Meniere disease.

Scientists estimate that 6 out of 10 people either get better on their own or can control their vertigo with diet, drugs or devices. However, a small group with Meinere 's Disease will get relief only by undergoing surgery.

The fact that the cause of the Meniere 's Disease is so far unknown after all this time is what I found most interesting. That experts aren 't sure what generates the symptoms or the even exact cause but can treat the outlying symptoms well enough for the patient to live relatively free of pain and other discomforts is