Dr. Gokhan Guvener
Otorhinolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon, Acupuncturist
Tel: 07521 195818
http://www.drgokhanguvener.com
https://www.instagram.com/drgokhanguvener?
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disease that occurs with attacks of dizziness, choppy hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness.
**It is generally seen between the ages of 40-60. The incidence of the disease varies between 10-150 in 100,000 according to various studies. It usually involves only one ear and the female-male distribution is equal.
The causes of the disease are not fully known. Immunological, allergic, infectious, genetic, and anatomical causes have been suggested. Generally, the amount and distribution problems in inner ear fluids; It is considered to affect the balance and hearing signals sent from the inner ear to the brain and produce symptoms.
**The disease occurs in attacks. These usually last between 20 minutes and 2 hours, sometimes up to 24 hours. There may be frequent and recurrent attacks, or there may be healthy periods with no or very mild symptoms for a long time.
** A typical attack is accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the ear and increased buzzing, worsening of hearing and dizziness, usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting. After the attack, a weakness that lasts 3-4 days can be observed.
** Although Meniere’s disease is a disease that is not life-threatening and does not cause serious complications, unpredictable attacks significantly affect the quality of life of the person. The age period of the disease is usually the most mature and productive in people’s work lives. In some cases, social life and work performance are more prominently affected, and psychological problems such as anxiety and depression may occur in some cases.
** There is no specific treatment for the disease. Treatment is mainly aimed at reducing the number and severity of dizziness episodes without harming hearing. In long-term follow-up, it was observed that dizziness attacks decreased or decreased spontaneously or only with supportive treatment, and hearing loss became permanent at moderate to severe levels.
** Some patients benefit from dietary restrictions such as caffeine, alcohol, and chocolate. A salt-restricted diet is also recommended against fluid retention. Recommended lifestyle changes include a regular and balanced diet, avoiding allergens, quitting smoking, and stress control.
Diuretics (diuretics) and various drugs that suppress the inner ear are used in the treatment. Besides, some studies have achieved successful results with the injection of some drugs into the inner ear that damage the cells responsible for hearing and balance in the inner ear (actually as a side effect). Many doses and administration protocols have been described in various studies. However, the risk of hearing loss in this practice and the data that the expected results could not be achieved in some studies pose an important problem. Intra-ear corticosteroid injection is also among the recommended alternative treatment methods.
** Surgical methods such as inner ear sac surgery, cutting the balance nerve and labyrinthectomy can be applied in cases that cannot be controlled with medical treatments.
** Unfortunately, there has been no acceptable progress in treatment for many years. Important researches are carried out on drugs that will control dizziness and cause the least damage to hearing, their dosage, and the method of administration. The psychological support of healthcare professionals and the patient’s immediate environment is also important in this chronic disease.
On Acupuncture and Otolaryngology 