Meniere’s Disease
- Is a disorder of endolymph control, causing dilatation of the endolymphatic spaces in the membranous labyrinth.
- Age of onset is 30-60 years.
- Both balance & hearing are affected.
Clinical Features
- Sudden attacks of severe vertigo, often with prostration and vomiting.
- Hearing impairment (sensorineural deafness) and tinnitus in the affected ear.
- Attacks last for a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 12 hours.
- After successive attacks, the hearing problem is progressively greater.
- There is a sensation of pressure in the ear.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made from the history; apart from the deafness, there are no clinical findings between attacks.
Symptoms
- The timing and duration of the vertigo.
- Provoking or exacerbating factors.
- Associated symptoms such as:
- Pain
- Nausea
- Neurological symptoms
- Hearing loss