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  1. UAMS Health
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  3. Meniere’s Disease

Condition: Meniere’s Disease

Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear. It can cause severe dizziness, a roaring sound in your ears called tinnitus, hearing loss that comes and goes and the feeling of ear pressure or pain. It usually affects just one ear. It is a common cause of hearing loss.

Attacks of dizziness may come on suddenly or after a short period of tinnitus or muffled hearing. Some people have single attacks of dizziness once in a while. Others may have many attacks close together over several days. Some people with Meniere's disease have "drop attacks" during which the dizziness is so bad they lose their balance and fall.

Scientists don't yet know the cause. They think that it has to do with the fluid levels or the mixing of fluids in the canals of your inner ear. Doctors diagnose it based on a physical exam and your symptoms. A hearing test can check to see how it has affected your hearing.

There is no cure. Treatments include medicines to control dizziness, limiting salt in your diet, and taking water pills. A device that fits into the outer ear and delivers air pulses to the middle ear can help. Severe cases may require surgery.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.

Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://medlineplus.gov/menieresdisease.html?utm_source=mplusconnect&utm_medium=service
Source Agency: National Library of Medicine

Ménière disease

Ménière disease is a disorder of the inner ear that affects balance and hearing. This condition is characterized by sudden episodes of extreme dizziness (vertigo), a roaring sound in the ears (tinnitus), a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears, and fluctuations in hearing. Episodes are often associated with nausea and vomiting, and they can severely disrupt activities of daily living.

The episodes associated with Ménière disease generally last several hours. Studies suggest that episodes can be triggered by stress, tiredness (fatigue), emotional upset, illness, and dietary factors. The timing of these episodes is unpredictable; affected individuals may experience a cluster of episodes within a short period, followed by months or years without any symptoms.

Ménière disease usually appears in adulthood, most often in a person's 40s or 50s. It is much less common in children and young adults. The symptoms of the disorder typically begin in one ear, although they may later involve both ears.

Some people with Ménière disease have no symptoms of the disorder between episodes, particularly in the early stages of the disease. Over time, however, many affected individuals develop ongoing problems with unsteadiness, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ears. Additionally, permanent hearing loss eventually develops in many people with this disorder.

Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.

Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/meniere-disease?utm_source=mplusconnect&utm_medium=service
Source Agency: National Library of Medicine

Contents

  • Locations
  • Areas of Expertise
  • Make an Appointment

Locations Where Providers Treat Meniere’s Disease

Note that the treatment of Meniere’s Disease may not be performed at every location listed below. The list may include locations where the treatment plan is developed during and after a patient visit.

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Exterior of UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neuroscience Institute building

Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic at the UAMS Medical Center

501 Jack Stephens Drive
UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neuroscience Institute
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
501-686-8000
New and Returning Patients
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Areas of Expertise for Meniere’s Disease

Image of a close-up of female doctor analyzing girl's ear with otoscope in hospital.

Ear, Nose and Throat Care

ENT doctors can treat issues that range from the everyday to the complex. We provide both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for a wide range of conditions.

View Area of Expertise
Shot of a senior woman using a laptop and headphones.

Hearing and Balance

At UAMS Health, we have state-of-the-art equipment and technology to provide the best treatment for your hearing issues.

View Area of Expertise

Make an Appointment

Request an appointment by contacting a clinic directly or by calling the UAMS Health appointment line at (501) 686-8000.

UAMS Health LogoUAMS HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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