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Meniere’s Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Written by healthwords.ai's team of doctors and pharmacists based in UK | Updated: 24 Jan 2023 | 2 min read

Meniere’s disease is a long-term condition of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance, and requires a trio of symptoms to make the diagnosis.

The first is vertigo, where you feel as though the environment is spinning around you, or that you are spinning when you are standing still. The second is tinnitus, a ringing in the ear, and you may also get a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear. The third is hearing loss that comes and goes, usually affecting one ear at a time.

Meniere's typically come on without warning and episodes can last between 20 minutes and 24 hours, causing severe nausea or vomiting. Unfortunately, Meniere's is a progressive disease that gets worse over time. The episodes may happen in clusters in a week or over months or even years.

What are the causes of Meniere’s disease?

The cause is not well understood – one theory is that changes to the fluid in the tubes of the inner ear, causing symptoms. Other possible causes include autoimmune disease, head injury, allergies, viral infections and genetics.

How can I manage my symptoms myself?

There are only a few things that can be done to relieve symptoms yourself. The first is to be aware of the signs of dizziness and sit down immediately, to help alleviate the sensation. Avoid causing yourself any injuries from falls by walking in good lighting and taking things slow and easy.

Limiting your salt intake and caffeine, alcohol and tobacco intake are thought to be effective ways to help reduce the severity of symptoms. After an attack, it usually helps to lay down and rest.

You should not drive during an attack.

What can my doctor do?

Your doctor will examine your ears and the nerves in your head and neck. They will assess your balance, and they can refer you for hearing test if you have constant hearing loss.

Further investigations such as bloods, and imaging of your head (CT or MRI scan) may be needed to rule out other serious causes of concern, such as multiple sclerosis or a tumour.