Meniere's disease is a disorder affecting the inner ear. It causes episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear.

2 in every 1000 people suffer from Meniere's disease. People in their 40's and 50's are most affected. However, people in their 20's can also suffer from this condition. Meniere's affects men and women equally.

SYMPTOMS OF MENIERE'S DISEASE

The symptoms of Meniere's are variable. A typical attack is preceded by fullness in one or both ears. The attack generally consists of imbalance, vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sweating and nausea. Though some people can predict the onset of an attack, most people find their onset unpredictable.

Severity and frequency of attacks are variable. Still an average attack lasts for many hours (days in some) and are followed by extreme exhaustion, making the person sleep for many hours together.

The typical symptoms seen in Meniere's disease are:

• Vertigo
  This is a subjective feeling of rotation (either of oneself or the surrounding), having sudden onset and in severe cases, accompanied by sweating, nausea and vomiting.
• Tinnitus
  There is a subjective sensation of ringing, roaring or swooshing in the ears. Usually one ear is affected, though it is not uncommon for both ears to be affected.
• Hearing loss or deafness
  Progressive hearing loss in one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) ears is experienced. Initially, the lower frequencies are the first to go.
• Fullness in both ears
  There is a feeling of fullness in the ears similar to that experienced in pressure changes. However, there is no relief obtained by swallowing.
• Photophobia
  Increased sensitivity to light in any form which aggravates the headaches and vertigo is a common symptom.