Meniere's Disease in Tarzana

Meniere's Disease - Marc Cohen M.D, Tarzana Surgeon

Ménière's Disease

Ménière's disease is an inner ear disorder associated with tinnitus, dizziness and vertigo, a feeling of congestion or fullness in the ear, and hearing loss, usually in only one ear.

Ménière's disease usually affects adults aged 40 to 60 years. The fact that it affects the inner ear, where the balance mechanism is located, often causes "drop attacks", or episodes of severe vertigo that cause the patient to lose their balance and stumble.

Causes of Ménière's disease

Ménière's disease is caused by the buildup of fluid in the labyrinth - a section of the inner ear housing the cochlea (organ for hearing) and the otolithic organs and semicircular canals (responsible for balance).

The membranous labyrinth (one of two sections of the labyrinth) contains a fluid known as endolymph that stimulates receptors when your body is in motion. The receptors transmit signals to the brain about your body's movement and position. When you have Ménière's disease, the buildup of endolymph interferes with the transfer of signals between the labyrinth and the brain, causing dizziness and vertigo.

Studies show that Ménière's disease is hereditary, though it can also be caused by autoimmune reactions, allergies, or viral infections.

Diagnosis Treatments for Ménière's disease

There are no specific tests or symptom that an ENT specialist looks for in order to diagnose Ménière's disease. Before administering any treatment, Dr. Cohen will review you and your family's medical history, and then check for the presence of:

  • Tinnitus
  • At least two episodes of vertigo - lasting more than 20 minutes each
  • A feeling of fullness in the ear
  • Temporary hearing loss

Although Ménière's disease is chronic, Dr. Cohen can recommend various treatments (medications, antibiotic injections) and lifestyle changes (such as salt restriction and diuretics) to help ease the symptoms and force the disease into remission. Surgery may also be necessary to decompress the endolymphatic sac.

Please consult Dr. Cohen for help finding the best treatment plan for you.