Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition that affects the inner ear and causes problems with hearing and balance. People usually develop this disease between their 20s and up to their 60s, and it’s equally common in both sexes.
Meniere’s disease symptoms can last long-term and can negatively affect someone’s quality of life, which is why it’s important to be aware of them.
Vertigo
The primary symptom of Meniere’s disease is frequent attacks of vertigo, a moving and spinning sensation that makes you feel dizzy and unwell. Vertigo can occur spontaneously and usually lasts for about a few minutes and possibly up to 24 hours.
Naturally, the following symptoms are also bound to happen…
Nausea & Vomiting
The constant episodes of vertigo can make a person uncomfortably nauseous and cause occasional vomiting. Both nausea and vomiting can be attributed to an abnormal amount of fluid (endolymph) built up in the inner ear.
That buildup can contribute to the following symptom…
Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss in either one of the ears is relatively common in the earlier stages of Meniere’s disease. It comes and goes for a short while, although it may worsen over time and even lead to permanent hearing loss.
But it doesn’t stop there…
More Ear Problems
Meniere’s can be torture for the ears, as patients can experience conditions like tinnitus, a constant ringing, buzzing, whistling, or hissing sound, and aural fullness, a feeling of fullness or pressure in the affected ear.
This disease can also make you lose your grace…
Loss Of Balance
Vertigo induced by Meniere’s disease and the afflicted inner ear can make you lose your balance now and then during flareups. Balance loss can also make you prone to falling down and even getting injured in the process.
Things can look hazy, too…
Blurry Vision
One might not expect this, but problems with one’s inner ear can also negatively impact vision. With Meniere’s patients, their vision starts to become hazy during flareups. Others report experiencing jerking eye movements in one or both eyes.
Another common Meniere’s disease symptom has something to do with your digestive system.
Diarrhea
People who have Meniere’s disease also experience some stomach troubles. Because vertigo can induce vomiting, it can also cause dehydration, which usually results in diarrhea.
The next symptom can literally leave you shaking…
Cold Sweat
Experiencing cold sweat in the palms, underarms, and feet, especially during vertigo attacks, is common for people with Meniere’s. It’s the body’s way of cooling off when the body temperatures rise during such episodes.
With this next symptom, Meniere’s definitely won’t give your heart a break…
Heart Problems
Meniere’s disease can take a severe toll on the heart. Some patients experience fast or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and palpitations along with flareups. Others even report lowered pulse rates.
Even your mental health isn’t spared…
Anxiety
The symptoms of Meniere’s can unfortunately negatively impact a patient’s social life, work productivity, and overall quality of life. This can cause people to experience bouts of anxiety and depression, as they may feel bound and limited by their condition.
