$Unique_ID{BRK00995}
$Pretitle{Nervous System and Sense Organs}
$Title{What Can be Done to Help One With Meniere's Disease?}
$Subject{Meniere's vertigo balance tinnitus}
$Volume{F-21}
$Log{
Vertigo:  Overview*0007501.scf
Vertigo:  Anatomy of the Ear*0007502.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Can be Done to Help One With Meniere's Disease?


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QUESTION:  My mother who is 69 years old now suffers from Meniere's Disease.
She also has a constant ringing in one ear.  Her attacks are not very severe,
but she is now hesitates to leave the house fearing an attack while she is
out.  What can be done to help her?

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ANSWER:  Meniere's Disease can provoke serious attacks of vertigo that are
associated with nausea and vomiting which are completely unpredictable.  They
appear quite suddenly, may last from just a few hours up to 24 hours, and then
gradually ease off.  Tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ear, may be constant,
although in some patients it too comes and goes, and usually affects but one
ear.  The hearing in this ear also can come and go, but over a period of time,
tends to become increasingly impaired.  In from 10 to 15 percent of the
patients with Meniere's both ears are affected.  Although known since Meniere
first described the condition in 1861, the cause of the disease is still
unknown, and other than it affects the inner ear apparatus (vestibular
system), its mechanisms are poorly understood.  There is no absolute treatment
but a number of possibilities to diminish both the severity and frequency of
attacks do exist.  Anticholinergic medications, atropine or scopolamine are
useful to diminish the symptoms associated with the stomach, and
antihistamines act to sedate the inner ear.  General sedation using
barbiturates is of some help.  Diazepam may also be used to reduce the misery
of severe vertigo attacks and also acts by sedating the inner ear apparatus.
Your mother should be encouraged to maintain her life activities, accompanied
by a friend who knows about and understands her condition, and can assist if
an attack should occur.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
