What is Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s Disease is a disorder mainly involving the inner ear that causes symptoms such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus), severe dizziness (vertigo), hearing loss, and a feeling of congestion or pressure in the ear. This disorder usually only affects one ear. Meniere’s Disease is most likely to develop as an adult between the ages of 40 to 60 years old but can also sometimes occur at an earlier age.
Vertigo can occur suddenly or may happen after a period of experiencing tinnitus or muffled hearing. Sometimes dizziness may be a single attack or they may happen closer together. Occasionally people with Meniere’s Disease may have vertigo so severe that they lose their balance and fall.
Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is when you experience ringing, buzzing, roaring, whistling, or hissing sounds in your ear. This sound may be constant or come and go. Sometimes these symptoms can be so loud which can impact your ability to concentrate or hear external sound.
Regular Vertigo Episodes
Vertigo may occur without warning. It comes on as a spinning sensation that starts and stops suddenly. This severe dizzy spell usually lasts around 20 minutes to 12 hours, but not more than 24 hours. Vertigo has also been known to result in feelings of nausea.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in Meniere’s disease can come and go by getting better or worse on its own. It can be long-lasting, may not improve over time, and in some instances it can become permanent.
Congestion in the Ear
Meniere’s Disease can produce a feeling of congestion, fullness, or pressure in the ear. This is called aural fullness. This sensation can last a few seconds up to a few days. Congestion may come alone or be a part of the other symptoms.
Causes of Meniere’s Disease
Fluid in the compartments of the inner ear, called the labyrinth, can cause Meniere’s Disease. The labyrinth influences balance and hearing. Part of the labyrinth is filled with a fluid known as endolymph that stimulates the receptors as the body moves. These receptors send signals to the brain regarding the body’s position and movement.
In Meniere’s Disease, excessive endolymph fluid buildup in the labyrinth impacts balance and hearing signals between the inner ear and the brain. This irregularity causes vertigo and other symptoms mentioned above.
Endolymph fluid buildup can be caused by swelling related to trauma and a misalignment in the upper cervical spine (the upper neck). Injury to the neck can cause a buildup of stress on the atlas vertebra, the top bone in the neck. This accumulated buildup of stress can obstruct movement between the cervical spine and the neck, ear, and surrounding muscles. If untreated, this obstruction will prevent drainage in the inner ear by causing a blockage and can result in the onset of Meniere’s Disease symptoms.
Upper Cervical Treatment
Upper cervical chiropractic care doesn’t simply mask the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease but it treats the root cause of the excess fluid buildup in the inner ear. This care corrects misalignments in the upper cervical spine. Realigning the top two bones in the neck will improve fluid drainage from the inner ear by relaxing the cranium, face, and neck.
During treatment, you will experience a series of precise realignments to the atlas and axis vertebrae, the top two bones in your neck. This type of upper cervical care does not involve any forceful rapid twisting of the neck. These very precise adjustments will bring your upper cervical spine back into its natural position and correct the cause of Meniere’s Disease, resulting in symptom relief and improved function.
Dr. Larry Burks offers upper cervical chiropractic care at The Upper Cervical Clinic in Tigard, OR. Call to schedule a FREE consultation, or schedule an Exam to begin healing from Meniere’s Disease and finally get relief from your symptoms.
The Upper Cervical Clinic
7180 SW Fir Loop Suite 250
Tigard, OR 97223
(503) 597-8352
