Endolympathic Hydrops/
  Meniere's Disease

  What is it? What are
  the symptoms?

  Endolymphatic hydrops is a
  decreased ability to regulate the
  fluid (endolymph) balance of the
  inner ear. One or more of the
  following symptoms characterizes
  this disorder:

  • Fluctuating hearing loss
  • Fluctuating fullness/pressure
    in the ears
  • Fluctuating tinnitus (noises
    in the ear)
  • Spells of vertigo, lasting minutes to hours followed
    by imbalance that may persist

  Meniere's Disease is the term used to describe endolymphatic hydrops when all the above
  symptoms are present and hearing loss is in low frequencies. Therefore, anyone who has
  Meniere's has endolymphatic hydrops but everyone who has endolymphatic hydrops does
  not have Meniere's. In general, Meniere's is only a more symptomatic, or advanced, form
  of endolymphatic hydrops.

  Research indicates a strong correlation between the spells of endolymphatic hydrops and
  illness, severe noise trauma, a concussion, or ear surgery. Thus, there can be a great
  variability in length of time between spells from days to years. Not only is the variability
  of spells frustrating for patients but the secondary symptoms are frustrating as well,
  which may include decreased strength, loss of range-of-motion, muscle tension, anxiety
  and fatigue.

  What are the risk factors?

  • Middle ear infection
  • Stress
  • Syphilis
  • Fatigue
  • Head Injury
  • History of Allergies
  • Recent viral infection
  • Smoking
  • Respiratory infection
  • Alcohol use

  What is the treatment?

  Treatment for endolymphatic hydrops is aimed at stabilizing the inner ear through medical
  therapy (usually a mild diuretic to eliminiate excess fluid), control of related factors/
  disorders and, when appropriate, vestibular rehabilitation. Factors known to aggravate
  endolymphatic hydrops include diet (particularly salt intake), allergies and inflammation,
  hormones and even viruses.

  Vestibular rehabilitation may be used when endolymphatic hydrops results in persistent
  dizziness, imbalance and/or nausea. Secondary symptoms as discussed above are also
  addressed. The goal of vestibular rehabilitation is to decrease, if not eliminate, both
  primary and secondary symptoms through a "hands-on" approach.

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