Synonyms in a broader sense
Menière’s disease; inner ear vertigo, sudden hearing loss, equilibrium, dizziness.
Definition
Menière’s disease is a disease of the inner ear and was first and impressively described in 1861 by the French physician Prosper Menière. Meniere’s disease is characterized by an increased accumulation of fluid (hydrops) in the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear (see Anatomy of the ear). This results in a pathological increase in inner ear pressure.
This increase in pressure leads to the typical signs of the disease (symptom complaints): sudden, unprovoked vertigo, unilateral ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and unilateral hearing loss or hearing impairment. Nausea and vomiting may also occur.
- Outer ear
- Eardrum
- Organ of equilibrium
- Auditory nerve (acoustic nerve)
- Tube
- Mastoid process (mastoid)
Alternative causesDifferential diagnosis
The sudden loss of hearing in one ear and a possible noise in the ear (tinnitus) is a differential diagnosis to Menière’s disease. It is possible that the first attacks of Menière’s disease manifest themselves without dizziness, so observation and continuous care of the patient is necessary to be able to distinguish between these two conditions. If the cause of the complaints lies in the field of orthopedics or internal medicine, the treatment of cervical spine complaints or the elimination of allergens are the most common causes of similar symptoms.
Inflammation of the auditory tract or the inner ear are also important diagnoses to be excluded on the way to the diagnosis of Menières disease. Psychogenic vertigo is an important differential diagnosis alternative cause of Menière’s disease ́schen Here, the attacks of vertigo are usually accompanied by strong feelings of insecurity, panic attacks, strong palpitations, sweating and extreme fear. These vertigo attacks do not originate from the organ of balance in the ear and are therefore subject to different therapeutic measures than the Menière’s attacks. Psychological care to eliminate anxiety plays an important role in the treatment of psychogenic vertigo.
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