If you or a loved one struggle with symptoms of Meniere’s, give us a call today at (775) 507-2000. 

Meniere’s disease is a condition where the inner ear swells with fluid pressure. As the pressure builds individuals are likely to experience ringing in the ears, pressure in the ear, and experience episodes of feeling off balance. Inside the inner ear there is a fluid, and it is believed that people with Meniere’s disease have a duct that is somehow clogged or not able to adequately drain the ear. Too much fluid then causes the inner ear to distend, or bulge. A buildup of fluid disrupts the balance and hearing structures of the inner ear, which is what causes people to experience ringing in the ears and feeling off balance.

In order to get further evaluation for your condition, you will either see an Ears Nose Throat specialist, also known as an ENT specialist, or get referred to an Audiologist. They will first assess if you had any inner ear damage in your lifetime. Inner ear damage makes it difficult to hear specific sounds, whether they are soft or loud. An ENT specialist or an Audiologist will then perform a VNG, also known as videonystagmography. A VNG is a test of the inner ear and portions of the brain. The VNG can help your doctor better understand the cause of your dizziness or balance problems. Special goggles are placed over your face and will be able to track your eye movements. Lastly, your inner ears will be stimulated with warm and cold air to measure your response. This allows specialists to see whether or not you have partial paralysis in your inner ear. Typically, inner ear paralysis of 25% or greater will lead to a diagnosis of Meniere’s disease.

If you feel you have been overdiagnosed with Meniers’s disease or want confirmation that you have the disease you can talk to your healthcare provider about getting a 3T Gadolinium enhanced MRI. This is the golden standard diagnostic test to really substantiate if somebody has Meniere’s disease. This type of MRI imaging will allow your provider to see whether or not you have swelling of fluid in the inner ear to provide an accurate diagnosis for Meniere’s disease.

When you get diagnosed by an ENT specialist or Audiologist you will most likely be put on a salt restriction diet and blood pressure medication to relieve fluid volume in your body. When that doesn’t work they may inject Prednisone into your ear drum. Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid that may cause such events as temporary dizziness, pain, and bleeding. The next step, and in extreme circumstances, the specialist will look into having your vestibular nerve surgically removed. The vestibular nerve is responsible for detecting balance. This procedure is a destructive procedure for Meniere’s disease. However, there are natural solutions and factors to help with your condition if you are suffering from Meniere’s disease.

Here in our office we work with a wide-array of conditions, including Meniere’s disease. What makes our method of treatment work is the amount of research and dedication Dr. Gates, D.C., and Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, puts into every patient and condition. We provide specialty testing, lab work, VNG testing and specialty imaging including a 3T Gadolinium enhanced MRI, we utilize all beneficial mediums to help patients take control of their health. We teach you personalized brain rehabilitation exercises and outline a dietary plan tailored to your condition.

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