A diagnosis of Meniere’s disease can be very daunting. There is little information available, and you may be feeling bad enough to not care about doing any additional research. This article will give you 10 ways to recognize Meniere’s disease, and then we will discuss a natural remedy proven to ease the symptoms.
Meniere’s disease is a condition of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo related to the fluid filling the tubes of the inner ear in abnormal amounts. There are a number of symptoms that go along with this condition. We will discuss 10 of the most common ones below.
Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease
- Dizziness: This is one of the first symptoms of Meniere’s disease and may occur with no other symptoms, a possible reason it is not diagnosed early on. Dizziness is a symptom of a number of conditions and infections. However, it is one of the major symptoms of Meniere’s disease. This is a specific form of dizziness referred to as vertigo, and it has a rotational component associated with it. You may feel as if you or the things around you are spinning about.
- Hearing loss: One of the most frightening, and yet very common, symptoms of Meniere’s disease is hearing loss in the affected ear. This is usually temporary, although it can become permanent if it is not cared for. A small group of people experience this in both ears. You may feel as if your ear is plugged. Sound may be fuzzy, far away, or even tinny, like listening to sounds through a tin can. You may also find yourself being extra sensitive to noise. Reducing the fluid build-up in the inner ear can often help with this problem. This can be done through some lifestyle changes such as reducing sodium, caffeine, and alcohol in your diet. You should also drink lots of water. While this sounds counterproductive, increasing your fluid intake can help to flush out excess water.
- Nausea: Nausea and dizziness often go hand-in-hand. You may begin feeling sick to your stomach and even vomit when you have severe dizziness. You do not always have to experience nausea and dizziness; you may have one without the other. Nausea may occur during the entire time you are experiencing an episode of Meniere’s.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear): Ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing, whistling, or other noises within the inner ear is another common symptom of Meniere’s disease. This can be extremely uncomfortable and distracting, especially if both ears are affected. Some people may only have tinnitus and not experience any of the other listed symptoms. Meniere’s affects each individual differently. Falling asleep and sleeping well can be out of reach for those with tinnitus.
- Nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movements): It may seem odd that a condition of the inner ear affects eye movement. However, some people do have a sort of jerky eye movement in one or both eyes. Your eyes may move side to side, in a circular motion, or up and down. The eyes are connected to your balance system in the inner ear. This is yet another thing making driving, operating heavy machinery, or even climbing a ladder very dangerous.
- Cold sweats and changes in your pulse: People who have vertigo often experience cold sweats along with nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In addition, you may notice your heart rate slowing down or speeding up. This can make going about your daily routine very difficult. It is a good idea to lie down and rest until the symptoms begin to subside.
- Diarrhea: Often hitting you out of the blue, diarrhea can be another bothersome side effect of Meniere’s disease. It is important for you to stay well hydrated. You may also have other gastrointestinal problems, such as abdominal pain.
- Mood swings: When coping with Meniere’s disease, you may notice your mood changing often. Some patients experience anger and irritability or anxiety and fear.
- Extreme exhaustion: You will likely feel very tired after you go through an attack of Meniere’s disease. The lethargy and sleepiness may be extreme. On the flip side, many people report feeling as if being overly tired can bring on an episode of Meniere’s. With this in mind, it is a good idea to develop good sleeping habits.
- Migraines: According to the American Hearing Research Foundation, those with migraines and Meniere’s disease will begin showing symptoms of the disease earlier than those without migraines. It has been noted that migraines may even cause damage to the inner ear. Those with Meniere’s may often get migraines during a flare-up.
Finding Help for Meniere’s Disease
The brainstem is part of the body’s communication system. It is responsible for carrying signals to and from the brain and body. The top bones of the neck, the C1 and C2 vertebrae, are designed to protect the brainstem. However, if they become misaligned, they can actually put the brainstem under stress and cause it to malfunction. If it sends signals to the brain that the body is in motion when it is not, vertigo and, in turn, Meniere’s disease can ensue.
A study observing 139 Meniere’s patients reported that most of the patients in the study saw great improvement in their condition after undergoing upper cervical chiropractic care. Out of the 139, all but 3 stated they noticed vertigo and nausea to be significantly reduced.
We use a method that is gentle and effective. It does not require us to pop or crack the neck. Rather, we use a low-force adjustment to encourage the bones to move back into their original position. This does not add further stress on the body and allows it to heal on its own. Many of our patients see similar results to those in the above study.
