Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that usually has four hallmark symptoms – severe dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ear (tinnitus), loss of hearing, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The dizziness associated with Meniere’s can be severe and can either come on without warning or after a short period of tinnitus or muffled hearing. In some people with Meniere’s, the vertigo is so extreme that it may cause them to lose their balance and fall – episodes known as drop attacks.
The symptoms of Meniere’s disease are caused by an excessive buildup of fluid in the inner ear. A properly functioning inner ear allows us to balance and sense where our body is in relationship to our surroundings. Receptors in the inner ear are what send the brain signals about our body’s every motion. In people with Meniere’s buildup of excess fluid interferes with those signals ad can trigger vertigo and other associated symptoms.
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To treat Meniere’s disease, doctors will oftentimes prescribe medications designed for motion sickness and nausea. Diuretics are often used in an attempt to reduce fluid retention in hopes of relieving some of that pressure on the structures of the inner ear. Dietary recommendations include reducing intake of salt and caffeine, both contributors in fluid retention. While some of these treatments may help provide some symptomatic relief, they don’t truly address the cause of why the condition is allowed to persist.
Upper cervical chiropractor Dr. Terry Crowder is a vertigo expert who understands what may be the root cause of vertigo and other conditions associated with dizziness. Using highly specific analysis and technique, Dr. Crowder looks for subtle misalignments in the cervical vertebra that can be placing undue stress on the brainstem. Once those misalignments are corrected, normal neurological function is allowed to resume, and this oftentimes provides relief to vertigo sufferers once the affected tissues are allowed to stabilize and heal.
REFERENCE SITES:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20028251
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/balance/pages/meniere.aspx
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