Trying to go about work and regular daily activities can be extremely difficult if you are experiencing dizziness, ringing in the ears, difficulty balancing and hearing loss. These are side effects of Ménière’s Disease, a condition that affects the inner ear. An estimated 615,000 individuals in the United States are currently diagnosed with Ménière’s disease. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 45,500 new cases are diagnosed every year. This is a relatively uncommon condition, but it is important to recognize the symptoms for appropriate diagnosis. Ménière’s typically only affects one ear. Dizziness, a spinning sensation, ringing in the ears, and the feeling of fullness in the ear are common with the condition. In severe cases, falling, pain, and vomiting can also occur.
An absolute cause of Ménière’s is unknown, but is thought to be caused by the build up of fluid in the inner ear. This blockage affects the vestibular system and communication between the inner ear and brain. There are several reasons that the build up can occur, including allergies, infections, and genetics. It is a chronic condition, which means symptoms can be reoccurring. Additionally, doctors diagnose the condition from medical history and symptom checklist, along with hearing tests and MRI’s.
Management of Ménière’s Disease
There are several ways to manage the flare up of symptoms. Medications are a common treatment for dizziness. Similarly, changes to the diet such as decreasing salt, alcohol, and caffeine intake can also decrease dizziness and decrease access fluids in the body.
Less conservative treatments are also used to decompress the endolymphatic sac. The fluid build up in the inner ear sac is relieved through injections, intermittent air pressure pulses, or surgery. These treatments put the individual at a higher risk of hearing loss as a side effect.
Chiropractic care is also a treatment in managing Ménière’s Disease. Manual adjustments performed by skilled chiropractors to the cervical spine have been known to help. These adjustments improve the flow of spinal fluid in the central nervous system. Subsequently, the inner ear is able to drain properly and prevent the build up of fluid. Massage and acupuncture, two alternative therapies used in conjunction with chiropractic care can also help manage the Ménière’s.
In conclusion, it’s important to weigh all your options when it comes to treatment. Each individual case might benefit from different treatment options. Many chronic sufferers are turning to chiropractic care for a non-invasive, effective treatment without the use of medications. Contact Silver Chiropractic and Wellness today to learn more about how Dr. Silver can help you.
