What is Meniere's Disease?

Meniere's disease is "a constellation of symptoms. Attacks of vertigo... appear
suddenly, associated with nausea and vomiting, as well as pressure in the affected ear. The hearing fluctuates, but over the years generally worsens." Some patients experience ringing in the ears in the absence of any external sound. 

"The [precise cause] of the disease is unknown. Conventional wisdom is that it is caused by too much fluid in the inner ear. "

This disorder may also be called by several other names:

Hydrops, Endolymphatic 
Labyrinthine Hydrops 
Labyrinthine Syndrome
Lermoyez Syndrome
How is Meniere's Disease Diagnosed?

How is Meniere's Disease Treated?

"About 80 percent of patients can be treated by simply stopping salt, caffeine and nicotine. But the remainder must seek more treatment. "  A special surgical procedure can partially sever the nerve associated with balance,  within the skull just before it enters the inner ear... The treatment improves inner-ear circulation and controls fluid pressure changes in the inner-ear chambers...    The only side-effect appears to be a period of  unsteadiness until the opposite ear stabilizes the balance system."

Reference:  Ginny Copas, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
"Surgery cured signs of serious ear disease"

 Where Can I Find a Healthcare Professional Who Treats Meniere's Disease?
The Treatment Team at WPAHS
Moises A. Arriaga, M.D.,  Adjunct Associate Professor of Surgery   (Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery), MCP Hahnemann University
  • Medical Career and Accomplishments
  • Treatment Interests: Neurotology/otology; facial nerve disorders; balance disorders; hearing loss; skull base tumors; Meniere's Disease, Vertigo & Tintinitis
  • Publications (Abstracts from Pub Med) 
  • To contact Dr. Arriaga
    • Douglas Chen, M.D. Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery (ENT), Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University 
  • Medical Career and Accomplishments
  • Treatment Interests: Meniere's Disease, Vertigo and Tintinitis
  • Publications (Vitae) 

    • see also:  "Surgery cured signs of serious ear disease"
  • To contact Dr. Chen
    • Patient Support Groups and Bulletin Boards
    Meniere's Disease and Dizziness Support Group:  a brief description with points ofcontact, provided by the National Organization for Rare Disorders.

    On-Line Support Groups for Vestibular Disorders, including Meniere's, provided by The Vestibular Disorders Association

    Additional Information on the Internet


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    Frequently Asked Questions on Healthcare
    Face Pain Overview  * Trigeminal Neuralgia *  Hemifacial Spasm  * Meniere's Disease  * Vertigo * Tinnitis * Hypertension * Torticalis and Spasmodic Torticalis

    For questions or comments, please contact:
    aghneuro@wpahs.org * Department of Neurosurgery *
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    Pittsburgh, PA 15212 * (412) 359-6200 * 
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    Last Updated: August 31, 2000
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