Question: I have Meniere’s disease. Can you explain this condition and tell me about the latest treatments?

Dr. Hibberd's answer:
Meniere’s disease affects the inner ear , and hence your balance and hearing. It usually occurs in people ages 40 to 60, and affects both men and women, and sometimes children might also suffer from this disease. The exact cause is not known, but fluid builds up in the inner ear and patients usually suffer from tinnitus, (a low ringing, or hissing in your ear) hearing loss and dizziness (vertigo) and accompanying nausea and vomiting. Treatment is usually directed to control symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks. Antivert or Valium can control vertigo, nausea and vomiting. Long-term medication could include diuretics that reduce the fluid buildup. This may cause you to urinate more frequently as well. If you take a diuretic, supplement your diet each week with potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, cantaloupe, oranges, spinach, and sweet potatoes. For vertigo that is difficult to control, a fairly new therapy involves the application of positive pressure to the middle ear to improve fluid exchange. A device called a Meniett pulse generator applies pulses of pressure to the ear canal through a ventilation tube. The treatment may be performed at home, usually three times a day for five minutes at a time. Initial reports on the Meniett device show improvement in symptoms of vertigo, tinnitus, and aural pressure. The device may be expensive, but helpful. Injections, and surgical options are also available that can be discussed with your doctor.