DiagnosisYour doctor will conduct an exam and take a medical history. A diagnosis of Meniere's disease requires: Show
Hearing assessmentA hearing test (audiometry) assesses how well you detect sounds at different pitches and volumes and how well you distinguish between similar-sounding words. People with Meniere's disease typically have problems hearing low frequencies or combined high and low frequencies with normal hearing in the midrange frequencies. Balance assessmentBetween episodes of vertigo, the sense of balance returns to normal for most people with Meniere's disease. But you might have some ongoing balance problems. Tests that assess function of the inner ear include:
Tests to rule out other conditionsBlood tests and imaging scans such as an MRI may be used to rule out disorders that can cause problems similar to those of Meniere's disease, such as a tumor in the brain or multiple sclerosis. TreatmentNo cure exists for Meniere's disease. A number of treatments can help reduce the severity and frequency of vertigo episodes. But, unfortunately, there aren't any treatments for the hearing loss. Medications for vertigoYour doctor may prescribe medications to take during a vertigo episode to lessen the severity of an attack:
Long-term medication useYour doctor may prescribe a medication to reduce fluid retention (diuretic) and suggest that you limit your salt intake. For some people, this combination helps control the severity and frequency of Meniere's disease symptoms. Noninvasive therapies and proceduresSome people with Meniere's disease may benefit from other noninvasive therapies and procedures, such as:
If the conservative treatments listed above aren't successful, your doctor might recommend some of these more-aggressive treatments. Middle ear injectionsMedications injected into the middle ear, and then absorbed into the inner ear, may improve vertigo symptoms. This treatment is done in the doctor's office. Injections available include:
SurgeryIf vertigo attacks associated with Meniere's disease are severe and debilitating and other treatments don't help, surgery might be an option. Procedures include:
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notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Lifestyle and home remediesCertain self-care tactics can help reduce the impact of Meniere's disease. Consider these tips for use during an episode:
Lifestyle changesTo avoid triggering a vertigo attack, try the following.
Coping and supportMeniere's disease can affect your social life, your productivity and the overall quality of your life. Learn all you can about your condition. Talk to people who share the condition, possibly in a support group. Group members can provide information, resources, support and coping strategies. Ask your doctor or therapist about groups in your area or look for information from the Vestibular Disorders Association. Preparing for your appointmentYou're likely to first see your family doctor. Your primary care doctor might refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, a hearing specialist (audiologist), or a nervous system specialist (neurologist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment. What you can doWhen you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting before a test. Make a list of:
For Meniere's disease, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
Don't hesitate to ask other questions. What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask you several questions, such as:
Dec. 02, 2020 Which test would the nurse perform for a patient who reports having impaired balance?The Rhomberg test is positive when the patient has a loss of balance with their eyes closed. Loss of balance can be defined as the increased swaying of the body, foot movement in the direction of the fall, or falling.
Which part of the ear would be affected in a patient with impaired hearing impaired balance?How does the ear affect balance? The inner ear is composed of two parts: the cochlea for hearing and the vestibular system for balance. The vestibular system is made up of a network of looped tubes, three in each ear, called the semicircular canals.
What tests are done to assess conduction or sensory deafness?Rinne and Weber tests are exams that test for hearing loss. They help determine whether you may have conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. This determination allows a doctor to come up with a treatment plan for your hearing changes. A Rinne test evaluates hearing loss by comparing air conduction to bone conduction.
Which diagnostic test would the nurse prepare a patient for to determine whether vertigo is related to a problem of the inner ear?Electronystagmography (ENG or electrooculography) is used to evaluate people with vertigo (a false sense of spinning or motion that can cause dizziness) and certain other disorders that affect hearing and vision. Electrodes are placed at locations above and below the eye to record electrical activity.
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