Ménière's disease is most often diagnosed and treated by an otolaryngologist (commonly called an ear, nose, and throat doctor, or ENT). However, there is no definitive test or single symptom that a doctor can use to make the diagnosis.
An ENT specialist can conduct an examination to diagnose Meniere's disease, which assesses the level of hearing loss, function of the inner ear, and balance. A diagnosis of the disease requires: Two episodes of vertigo that each last 20 minutes or longer but do not exceed 12 hours. Tinnitus/fullness in the ears.
Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) testing.
This test uses sound to make parts of the inner ear active. It records how well muscles react to that sound. It may show common changes in the affected ears of people with Meniere's disease.
More commonly known as ear, nose and throat physicians (ENTs), Northwestern Medicine otolaryngologists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases and disorders of the head and neck, including Ménière's Disease.
Ménière disease is a disorder caused by build of fluid in the chambers in the inner ear. It causes symptoms such as vertigo, nausea, vomiting, loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, headache, loss of balance, and sweating.
Unfortunately, Ménière's disease can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are different from patient to patient. Additionally, there are other inner ear disorders that have similar symptoms. Therefore, no standard test that can definitely prove that you have the disorder.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which may make symptoms worse. If you smoke, quit. Quitting may help reduce symptoms. Some people find that managing allergy symptoms and avoiding allergy triggers helps decrease Meniere disease symptoms.
In this examination, the doctor looks into the ear using an instrument called an otoscope. The otoscope consists of a handle and a cone-shaped attachment called an ear speculum, which contains a tiny lamp and is inserted into the ear canal.
How Fast Can Meniere's Disease Attack Progress? The collection of attacks caused by Meniere's disease can last anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours. Also, it is possible for these series of attacks to happen repeatedly over a few weeks, months, or even a few years. This condition is just so unpredictable.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
The MRI scan will not confirm a diagnosis of Ménière's disease, nor will it show which ear is affected or how severe the condition is. During initial investigation it is important to exclude many serious conditions which can cause vertigo or unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
An otolaryngologist performs a physical exam to look for signs and symptoms of the cause of vertigo. He or she uses delicate instruments to magnify and examine the ear canal and eardrum. Your doctor may also examine your eye movements or ask you to track an object from one point in space to another.
Though vertigo is a symptom of Meniere's disease, the chronic condition can have multiple other side effects and tends to get progressively worse. On the other hand, vertigo does not necessarily link with a more severe condition, such as Meniere's disease.
Left untreated, Ménière's disease symptoms get worse over time and may cause permanent hearing loss and ongoing balance issues. Ménière's disease is typically treated with medication to reduce symptoms.
Meniere disease is generally defined as the idiopathic syndrome of endolymphatic hydrops, whereas the term Meniere syndrome is generally used for patients with the same clinical features but who have an identified cause.
The disease is much more common in adults, with an average age of onset in the fourth decade, the symptoms beginning usually between ages 20 and 60 years. Meniere's disease is (grossly) equally common in each sex, and right and left ears are affected with fairly equal frequency.
Certain stresses and emotional disturbances can trigger episodes of Ménière's symptoms, including working for too long, underlying health conditions, and tiredness. Salt in the diet is another trigger.
They may occur daily or as rarely as once a year. The severity of each attack can vary. Some attacks may be severe and interfere with daily living activities.
There is no cure but treatment can help to ease and prevent symptoms. If you are a driver, you must stop driving if Ménière's disease is diagnosed.
A test called an electronystagmogram (ENG), which measures your eye movements. This can help the doctor find where the problem is that's causing vertigo. Imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan of the head. These tests can find out if the symptoms are caused by a brain problem.
Some people with Ménière's disease find that certain events and situations, sometimes called triggers, can set off attacks. These triggers include stress, overwork, fatigue, emotional distress, additional illnesses, pressure changes, certain foods, and too much salt in the diet.
Seventy-five percent of patients who had MD for more than 20 years considered their vertigo attacks severe and 36% still had attacks 1 to 4 times per week. Nausea associated with vertigo was most common among those with a long disease history.
If you experience vertigo, an otolaryngologist — also known as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor — can diagnose and treat your condition to improve your quality of life.