Shocking Facts About Meniere’s Disease in West Des Moines

Meniere’s disease is defined as a disturbance in the proper function of the inner ear leading to episodes of feeling as if a person is spinning, also called vertigo. Hearing loss can fluctuate, ultimately culminating in permanent deafness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and a feeling of pressure or fullness. It generally only affects one ear. Most often, people ages 20 -50 are afflicted. However, it can come on at any age

Why Does It Happen?

Recent research points to an overabundance of fluid in the ears as the possible cause of Meniere’s disease. There are tiny, hair-like sensors contained within the ear that work in connection with the fluid to relay messages for proper function. If volume, pressure, or chemical compounds are altered in any way, the inner ear does not do its job correctly. This may lead to the symptoms of Meniere’s.

Other possible causes that should not be overlooked are the following:

• Migraine headaches
• Inherited genes
• Abnormality in the structure or a blockage in the ear itself
• Head or neck trauma
• Allergies
• Abnormal function of the immune system
• Viral infection

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book How to Naturally Relieve Vertigo without Drugs.

There are some things that may trigger an episode of Meniere’s or even intensify it. By avoiding some of these, a person may be able to have fewer incidences of this disease. Things to be aware of are:

• Too much salt (this encourages fluid retention)
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Alcohol consumption
• Caffeine
• Allergies
• Trauma to the head and neck area

Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Help with Meniere’s Disease?

Yes! We have seen success in treating a number of patients with Meniere’s disease. We give our patients a thorough examination of their upper neck area. If a misalignment is found here, it can be the cause of Meniere’s. This misalignment can cause a person’s ears not to drain properly. Once we have determined that this may be causing a problem, we give our patients a gentle, effective adjustment tailored just to his or her individual needs. This may be all that is needed to see a remission of Meniere’s symptoms.

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/basics/definition/con-20028251

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9ni%C3%A8re%27s_disease

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Laurel Griffin call 515-224-1093