What is "Meniere's Disease"?

What is "Meniere's Disease"?

Jason Hamilton (Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon) gives expert video advice on: What is "motion sickness" or "sea sickness"?; What can I do to prevent or treat motion sickness?; How can I reduce or prevent dizziness? and more...

Meniere's disease is a hearing and balance disorder that involves the fluid chambers within the ear. Every person's inner ear has a special fluid that bathes the cells that help to send signals to the brain to keep our balance or to help with our hearing. Meniere's disease is caused by a rupture of the membranes that house the fluid within the ear. When those membranes are ruptured, the electrolyte balance in the system is disrupted and the signals to the brain are changed. Usually the patients experience hearing loss and vertigo as a result of that. Meniere's disease is treatable. Most commonly, dietary modification is used to help treat Meniere's. A low-salt diet can decrease the pressure within the fluid chambers in the ear and help them from rupturing, which is the cause of Meniere's disease.