Meniere's syndrome

A classic Ménière's disease flare-up typically presents as a cluster of sudden symptoms. An attack is defined by:

Severe Vertigo: A sudden, intense spinning sensation that can last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours.

Fluctuating Hearing Loss: Often affecting only one ear, this hearing loss typically impacts low-frequency sounds first and can fluctuate in severity.

Tinnitus: A persistent ringing, roaring, buzzing, or pulsating sound in the affected ear.

A Feeling of Fullness (Aural Fullness): A distinct sensation of pressure, stuffiness, or a "clogged" feeling in the ear.

Nausea and Vomiting: The severity of the vertigo frequently triggers intense nausea, vomiting, and extreme difficulty maintaining balance.

After the Attack

Once the acute vertigo subsides, it is very common to experience profound fatigue, exhaustion, and mild imbalance (unsteadiness) for several days.

Ménière's disease typically runs a fluctuating course; attacks often occur in clusters over a period of weeks or months, separated by completely symptom-free intervals (remissions) that can last for months or even years.

There is no cure for Ménière's disease, but various measures can reduce symptoms and the number of attacks - often, however, the specialist and the patient have to try several treatments together before one that works for the individual patient is found.

Possible treatments will be

• Installation of drains in the middle ear.
• Medical treatment.
• Lifestyle changes.

In severe cases, treatment with injections of adrenal corticosteroid or Gentamycin may be considered, which will typically take place in public hospitals.

How to best live with Ménière's disease:

Ménière's disease can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can reduce attacks and improve your quality of life:

• Reduce salt intake to minimize fluid buildup in the inner ear.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine as they can worsen symptoms.
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
• Get enough sleep as fatigue can trigger attacks.
• Move slowly during attacks – sit or lie down to reduce dizziness.
• Keep a diary of diet, sleep, and symptoms to identify triggers.

With these measures, you can reduce attacks and live a more stable life with Ménière's disease, which often improves slowly over the years - it is therefore not a static condition and there can often be long periods without attacks - in some cases several years.

At Charlottenlund Private Hospital, all specialists are trained in using the VHIT glasses, ensuring you receive a thorough and reliable diagnosis.