This Disease Can Turn Your World Upside Down

Is the world literally moving too fast for you? Do youinfections, hemorrhage following a brain
suffer from frequent and severe attacks of vertigo?concus¬sion, hardening of the arteries of the ear,
Better see a doctor fast. You could be a victim ofallergies, a tumor, drugs like streptomycin and quinine,
Meniere's disease.congenital defects in the nervous system or stress.
Meniere's disease is a disturbance of the inner earOften, the condition follows the increase in fluid
that controls our sense of balance or equilibrium. Anypressure in the inner ear that affects your balance
defect in this part of the body will naturally lead toand hearing.
vertigo and loss of balance. In the case of Meniere'sThe disease is not life-threatening but it can lead to
disease, this condition may occur daily or every fewdeafness in the affected ear and an increased risk of
years. Bouts of dizziness may last for a few minutesfalling or an accident. To control symptoms, your
to an hour or longer.doctor may prescribe anti-vertigo medications and a
Other symptoms are episodes of deafness, a ringingdiuretic to reduce fluid retention. If attacks are
or buzzing sound in the affected ear, pain, nauseasevere, surgery is another option.
and vomiting. The disease may strike anyone butTo avoid further attacks, eat regularly, avoid
usually affects people over 40, especially men.caffeine, limit your salt intake and stop smoking.
"For most people, the attacks are infrequent and theThese simple dietary changes can save you a lot of
disorder is primarily an inconvenience. But for sometrouble.
people, Meniere's disease can lead to complete"If you experience problems with your balance
deafness in the affected ear, and the vertigo andbetween attacks, you may benefit from vestibular
accompanying nausea can be frequent andrehabilitation therapy. The goal of this therapy, which
debilitating. However, most people with the diseasemay include exercises and activities that you perform
are able to maintain their normal daily activities withduring therapy sessions and at home, is to help your
proper treatment and self-care strategies," accordingbody and brain regain the ability to process balance
to the Mayo Clinic.information correctly," said the Mayo Clinic.
Meniere's disease can result from chronic ear