Do I have Meniere’s Disease?
Today we are going to answer a question that I frequently hear from many patients that I see which is, “Do I have Meniere’s Disease?”
The answer is that I have met many people who have been told that they have been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease as the cause of their vertigo. Accurate diagnostic testing and assessment of the vestibular system for a Meniere’s diagnosis is a lengthy process and often incomplete.
Many people who have been diagnosed with this disease do not actually present with symptoms consistent with Meniere’s at all, but some sort of other vestibular issue.
Meniere’s Disease is Over-Diagnosed and Commonly Mis-Diagnosed
In fact, recently I met a woman who had been taking medicine for the disease for close to 20 years and following a low salt diet, but her vertigo symptom pattern did not match a typical Meniere’s disease description.
If you have been told by someone that your vertigo symptoms are due to Meniere’s disease, I highly recommend for you to seek out a vestibular specialist to do a proper evaluation of your case and consider the other potential causes of your episodes of dizziness and vertigo.
Meniere’s Symptoms fit a Pattern
People with true Meniere’s disease, or a Meniere’s syndrome, experience sporadic episodes of dizziness and vertigo that may last for hours or days, and they are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, imbalance, as well as pressure of fullness in the ear, ringing in the ear, and intermittent hearing loss which is not permanent after the episode of Meniere’s has resolved.
One ear is usually affected, but both ears can be affected in some cases.
Hearing may be gradually lost over time, but is mostly restored back to baseline after the vertigo episode is over.
Find a Specialist to Get a Second Opinion
If you are someone who is not certain whether or not you are dealing with Meniere’s disease, and you have never been properly evaluated by an inner ear specialist, I highly recommend for you to find an inner ear specialist at the Vestibular Disorders Association, Vestibular.org.
Then you can find out if you really have true Meniere’s disease or if you have something similar such as episodes of migraine headaches, which may need to be treated and managed medically in a whole different way.
New Treatment Options for True Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease episodes are caused by “endolymphatic hydrops.”
Now certain medical devices and surgery techniques have been developed to help people with true Meniere’s disease, so it is worth your time to find a leading expert in the field.
Meniere’s syndrome consists of Meniere’s like episodes caused by something else in the body like the immune system or a virus. Treatment is focused on management of the vertigo episodes and identifying the underlying cause.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
I have been told I have Menieres and have all the symptoms I have seen many doctors ent’s And neurologist! Is that the same as vestibular specialists? What do you recommend?
Hi Sandra,
Those are great questions! I am so glad you found this blog.
A Vestibular specialist is not the same as an ENT or Neurologist.
The type of specialized doctor is either an Neurotologist or an Otoneurologist.
The type of specialized physical therapist is trained Vestibular Rehab.
You can search for Vestibular specialty providers using the online directories I share in this article.
Keep digging!
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi I have inner ear pain in both ears but it’s random sometimes I’ll feel it my left ear only for a few hours or a day and the the next day or the same day after I wake up I’ll have the same pain on the right it switches. I don’t really hear ringing but if I lay on my left ear and If I pay really close attention to it I hear a small ringing in my left ear. Also when I bite on my teeth I for sure can hear ringing on my left ear. My ears also feel a little clogged and I can do rumbling sound in my ears on command when ever I want. And I feel like I’ve been more sensitive to sounds not a lot just really loud noise like kids screaming or a dog barking. I’ve made an appointment with ent specialist but they said it wound be until June 29 I’m worried because That a long time and I’m afraid it’ll get worse with time
Hi Erik,
I agree that seeing an ENT specialist is a good step.
You may also want to consult a TMJ specialist and/ or upper cervical specialist, if you do not get satisfactory answers from the ENT.
I wrote this article on dizziness related to the neck, which can sometimes be related to ear pain or jaw pain.
Hi, last Nov I had a severe vertigo attack. I was diagnosed with BPPV and we did the Maneuvers and I haven’t had it since, though I still felt kind of off I went to an ENT specialist who ordered a hearing test which my hearing came back great, I have no hearing loss and then sent me for some balance tests and I guess it showed that I had weakness in my right ear so I was told that I had Meniere’s disease after that because of the weakness in my right ear. I haven’t noticed any food triggers of anything I haven’t had vertigo at all again since the November incident but I just I don’t feel 100% though and I still feel awful a lot of days. I could be fine one minute and then the next I don’t feel good at all I just don’t know if it’s the Meniere’s or what else might be going on. What are your thoughts PLEASE?
Hi Jenny,
I am sorry to hear what you are going through!
This blog has some additional details on vertigo triggers that may help you observe patterns in your good days and bad days.
Since you did not mention consulting a Vestibular Physical Therapist, I suggest that type of consult as your next step.
The Vestibular PT can perform a comprehensive exam and develop a treatment plan to help with the weakness in your right ear.
You can use this article to find a provider.
This article has home remedies that may help.
I hope you feel better soon!
Kind regards,
Kim Bell, DPT
I have been diagnosed with Meniere’s by two different specialists, however my entire right inner ear was blown out by a tornado 45 years ago. I had a severe infection and sticks, rocks and mud had to be cleaned out of my inner ear. I had surgery at that time that replaced the bones of the inner ear and my eardrum and restored 85% of my hearing. I don’t think that either specialist is taking into consideration that there may be a build up a scar tissue or other failure of the surgery that is causing my symptoms. A CT scan did not reveal any abnormalities.
Hi Karen,
Yay for a clear CT scan. That is great news!
I suggest you consult a Vestibular Physical Therapist.
You can use this blog to search for physical therapists near you who specialize in Vestibular Rehab.
I agree that a history of trauma and scar tissue should be factored in…
The Vestibular PT consultation is a good next step.
This blog has some home remedies that may or may not help in the meantime.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
So if the vertigo lasts a few seconds you can scratch off meniere’s? I get vertigo for a few seconds when I have very bad panic attacks. I have every symptom of Meniere’s but the vertigo, which is why I’m asking.
Hi Dakota,
Meniere’s disease follow a very specific symptom pattern.
A series of three hearing tests is the only definite way to assess that diagnosis accurately.
Without a series of three hearing tests, Meniere’s disease is an educated guess at best.
For Vertigo that occurs during panic attacks, I suggest you check out this blog, this blog and this blog.
I hope that is helpful!
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi, I’m a 21 years old italiana boy.
In december I went to bed without any problem but when I woke up I couldn’t hear almost anything from my left ear.
I didn’t party the night I woke up deaf, it was an example of how I felt hearing in my left ear, so I’m about sure that it was an hearing loss throughout all frequencies and not a low tone sudden hearing loss.
I didn’t do any audiometric evaluation at that time or any treatment, but it seemed like I had been partying all night at the disco, no hearing and tinnitus. But in a couple of hours, I think 1 day at maximum, my hearing felt normal.
I’ve always had tinnitus, as long as I remember, but after a therapy of tobradex eye drops (ototoxic) it became so much worse, this high-pitched sound from both ears that, as of now, didn’t disappear.
So, I did 2 audiometric test, one in april and another in may and they came back the same. Right ear all frequencies at 5dB.
Left ear, the “bad one”, all frequencies 5dB except 250-500hZ at 15dB.
So, because I had this sudden deafness, tinnitus, aural fullness, and because in these years I’ve experienced 4-5 episodes of subjective vertigo lasting no more than a couple of minutes, my doctor said I have Meniere’s and since then my life has been ruined. I feel depressed and I expect every day to wake up and be permanently deaf.
But my episode of vertigo ALWAYS came up after being in bed, sleeping, and then coming up. And I didn’t have any vertigo when I experienced hearing loss.
As I have a straight neck and I’m an anxious person, my neck mussels are tight. What do you think about this? Could it really be meniere’s? I feel desperate, being 21 and the only one having these problems.
Hi Matteo,
If you have not already seen a Vestibular Physiotherapist, I suggest that as a next step. They can assess for another root cause or confirm your diagnosis.
You can search the Provider Directory at Vestibular.org.
You may be interested in this definition of Meniere’s syndrome as you explore this topic.
You may also need to seek psychological support due to depression and anxiety, because that can interfere with your recovery.
I wrote this blog about reasons why Vestibular Physical Therapy does not work, and unaddressed mental health fluctuations is one reason.
I wrote this article and this article about the link between anxiety and vertigo.
Anxiety can also cause neck tension in the muscles.
You could also go to a general orthopedic physiotherapist for neck care.
For the maximum recovery, I suggest for people to address the physical and psychological aspects of vertigo. You are not alone! To connect with a community of people online, check out The Vestibular Disorders Association at Vestibular.org.
I hope you feel better soon!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi there Doctor.
I have not been diagnosed with Meniere’s, but after doing my own research I seem to check off some of the symptoms and I am extremely worried. For the last two months I’ve been getting extreme pressure in the head, with an occasional feeling of pressure in the ears as well. My vision has also been effected (Blurred, Flashes, Floaters, Cloudiness.) I went to the ER twice.. CT scans came back negative, as well as all the blood work. However one of the ER doctors diagnosed me with BBPV, as well as nystagmus in my left eye. I followed up with my primary doctor a few days later and she wasn’t completely sold on the diagnoses as I could stand, walk, and lay down perfectly fine without any spinning… Explaining that people with vertigo have extremely bad episodes. I also saw my eye doctor who ruled out the nystagmus. My eye images also came back fine. As for the vertigo there are times when I do feel a bit dizzy, mostly at night.. but no nausea. The dizziness could last for the rest of the night but eventually goes away. As a child I did suffer from multiple ear infections.. and back in 2013 I did see an ENT who confirmed I had some hearing loss/tinnitus in my left ear.. but nothing of this sort came up. I’m currently waiting on my new insurance to kick in to schedule an appointment for ENT, and to see a vestibular therapist.
My question for you would be if this sounds like a case of Meniere’s to you? Maybe an early stage?
I’m desperate for answers, please help!
Hi Kimberly,
I am sorry to hear what you are going through!
Your case does not sound simple, so I hope you are able to get a comprehensive exam by a Vestibular healthcare provider.
You can look for Vestibular providers who may take your new insurance using the online directories I share in this blog.
This blog has home remedies that may help.
In this blog, I discuss the link between vertigo and anxiety, and this blog has some strategies to find relief.
I hope you find answers and get relief soon!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
For more than 3 months I have been dealing with vertigo-type symptoms; dizziness, the rapid eye movement and on-again and off-again pressure in the ear. ENT couldn’t find anything wrong after examination. Suggested I visit a neurologist. Neurologist suggested BPPV and referred me for vestibular therapy. P/T could correct the BPPV after 5 visits and sent me back to my ENT. 2nd visit w ENT completed another examination, found nothing, completed a hearing check (perfect) and suggested I see an allergist and complete a balance test. Allergist was a waste of time. Gave me nose spray and sent me packing. Visited w primary who put me prednisone for 5 days and within 3 days I found significant relief. Primary suggested I visit again with ENT and share this new info, to what end I don’t know. ENT won’t see me again until the balance test and their machine is broke so my only option is to travel 2 hours for a balance test.
I Have an appointment with a diff ENT in three weeks, but have little faith in anyone properly diagnosing my problem. This guy is supposed to be real good but as I said, I am losing faith and it is becoming obvious that I haven’t found the right doctor/expert yet. Very frustrating
Additional background – suffered head trauma in May. Vertigo didn’t start until late July; history of ear & sinus infections because of my allergies; vertigo is literally every day; on occasion, I do experience ringing in ears; have occasional eye pressure. If I get a lot of water in ears the vertigo the following day is off the chart bad.
Hi Bill,
I am sorry to hear all this! The head trauma is a bit of a wild card in your case.
You have certainly consulted a list of the right professionals. Being frustrated is a common experience for vertigo patients.
Hang in there!
You may end up back at vestibular PT in the future if your doctor thinks it is appropriate.
You may ultimately need a team of providers for medical management and physical therapy, since your case is so complex.
It may help to write up a case summary using the questions I ask in this blog to present to each provider you work with.
I hope you find answers and get relief soon.
Just FYI, I had similar symptoms to what you describe, and I ended up having an Acoustic Neuroma.
I would suggest an MRI with contrast to see if you potentially have the same issue.
If you have unilateral hearing loss that would also support having a similar condition.
I had my acoustic neuroma removed surgically and the eye jumping and sudden bouts of vertigo have gone away.
I do feel mildly out of balance since then, as my one vestibular nerve had to be removed with the tumor.
I wish you luck on finding the right diagnosis!
Hi.. much of my stuffed head, ringing ears, off balance & hearing loss resolve at least for a while and provide much appreciated relief just simply by my ears popping.
Do you have a certain way to get this done, pls?
Gratitude to your work!
Hi Gaea,
I know I have certain ways that I pop my ears but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.
Think of it like as if you are on a plane that is taking off or landing and looking around…
Someone next to you might yawn in order to pop their ears.
Another person might chew gum to pop their ears.
A third person might hold their nostrils down and gently blow into their nose to pop their ears.
Sometimes swallowing can pop your ears.
There are some chiropractic techniques that pop the ears, where the chiropractor will pull the earlobes down and out for a quick ear pop.
However, I caution against general chiropractic care to snap, crack, or pop your neck bones. I think neck care needs to be gentle and very precise.
I hope that helps!
Best wishes