Overview
Meniere's disease is a long-term inner-ear disorder that causes sudden attacks of a spinning sensation, hearing loss, ringing in the ear and a feeling of fullness, usually in one ear. Attacks come and go, can last from minutes to hours, and can be disabling while they last. The exact cause is unclear but seems linked to a build-up of fluid in the inner ear. It cannot be cured, but diet changes, medicines and other measures reduce how often and how badly attacks strike.
Symptoms
- Sudden attacks of a spinning sensation lasting minutes to hours
- Fluctuating hearing loss, usually in one ear
- Ringing or buzzing in the affected ear
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
- Nausea and vomiting during attacks
When to see a doctor
See an ENT doctor for repeated attacks of spinning with ear symptoms, so the diagnosis can be confirmed and attacks managed.
Causes
The exact cause is unknown; it is linked to a build-up of fluid in the inner ear, with possible roles for genetics, allergy and immune factors.