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Meniere's disease - Background information
What is Meniere's disease?
- Meniere's disease is a rare progressive disorder of the inner ear of unknown cause.
- Meniere's disease is characterized by recurrent acute episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sense of pressure in the ear (aural fullness). Vertigo (causing dizziness, nausea, and vomiting) is often the most prominent symptom.
- Symptoms usually start in one ear but may occur in one or both ears. At least 30% of people with Meniere's disease have bilateral involvement [Warrell et al, 2003].
- The structures that make up the inner ear are the cochlea, which is responsible for hearing, and the vestibular apparatus, which is responsible for balance.
- The cochlea and the vestibular apparatus are a complex set of tubes enclosed by the membranous labyrinth.
- The membranous labyrinth is filled with a fluid called endolymph.
- In Meniere's disease there is a progressive distension of the membranous labyrinth, which is called 'endolymphatic hydrops'.
- Distention of the labyrinth resulting in injury to the vestibular system causes vertigo and balance problems whilst injury to the cochlea results in hearing loss.
- Meniere's disease is caused by injury to the structures of the inner ear.
[Bandolier, 1995; Saeed, 1998; Warrell et al, 2003; DynaMed, 2007]
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