Ménière's Disease

MD should be considered a syndrome involving:¹

• Severe vertigo often lasting several hours and associated with nausea and vomiting 
• Fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss in the affected ear
• Tinnitus in the affected ear that may change pitch right before or during an attack
• A sense of ‘ear fullness’ in the affected ear

MD is not always due to a single mechanism or cause.¹ Genetic, hormonal, viral and immune (both autoimmune and allergies) factors may play a role.¹
 

MD usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50 years.¹ It seldom affects children and onset in older people is rare.¹ It appears to be more common in women.¹

Acute episodes usually occur repeatedly, with a frequency of five to 10 per year, with remission stages that can last for months or years.¹ 

Several comorbidities are associated with MD, such as autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, autoimmune hypothyroidism and psoriasis), migraine and anxiety.¹

Although MD cannot be cured, its symptoms can be treated.¹ Treatment includes effective management of the vertigo attacks and prevention of future MD episodes.¹Symptom management should be personalized and should take into account age, disease duration, comorbidities, hearing stage and psychological impact on daily activities.¹