Your ears provide you with the ability to hear and help you remain balanced. However, when this becomes disrupted, your life can become topsy-turvy. Unfortunately, when this happens, it’s your ears that are the culprit, and it often points to a chronic condition. When this occurs, Meniere’s disease could be the culprit. While this condition is not very well known, it has become better known in recent years, but it still may cause you to ask the question, “what is Meniere’s Disease?”

What is Meniere’s Disease?

Considered to be an inner ear disorder, Meniere’s disease usually only affects one ear and can cause a person to experience fullness or congestion in the ear, tinnitus, severe dizziness, and hearing loss. While this condition can occur at any age, those who are in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop this chronic condition. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), it is estimated that 45,500 cases of Meniere’s disease are diagnosed each year, and approximately 615,000 are currently diagnosed.

What Can Cause Meniere’s?

While the exact cause of this chronic condition is not known, the symptoms are due to a buildup of fluid (endolymph) in the inner ear, and this interferes with the balance and hearing signals between the brain and the inner ear.

Some of the potential triggers or causes of Meniere’s include:

• Smoking
• Stress
• Allergies
• Head injuries
• Alcohol
• Inner and middle ear infections
• Medication side effects
• Family history of Meniere’s disease
• Viral illnesses
• Respiratory infections

How Can I Receive Treatment?

If you are experiencing dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus, get a referral to see an ENT physician. But, don’t delay when it comes to your health. It is important that you seek help immediately if you want the best results, so contact us today to make an appointment.