Ménière’s disease is a chronic disease of the inner ear with symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, nausea, vomiting, and digestion issues. There is no cure for the condition. However, several natural support strategies can help alleviate symptoms.
Let’s take a deeper look at Ménière’s disease, its symptoms, conventional treatments, and natural support strategies.
What is Ménière’s disease?
Ménière’s disease is a chronic disease of the inner ear. Its symptoms include ear congestion, tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo, and hearing loss. It typically affects only one ear, although it may affect both ears in some people.
Ménière’s disease may cause sudden dizziness, temporary tinnitus, or muffled hearing. Some people will have one attack of dizziness and then a period of time passes before having another attack. Other people can have multiple attacks closer together. On occasion, vertigo may be so serious that it causes a “drop attack,” during which the person loses balance and falls.
About 600,000 people are diagnosed with Ménière’s disease in the United States with about 45,000-60,000 new cases each year. Ménière’s disease is progressive and can be debilitating.
Ménière’s disease symptoms
Ménière’s disease frequently has a buildup of fluid in the labyrinth of the ear, which is the compartments of the inner ear. This area contains the semicircular canals and otolith organs necessary for balance and the cochlea needed for hearing. This buildup of fluid causes the symptoms of Ménière’s disease.
The labyrinth has two parts: the bony and the membranous labyrinth. If the membranous part gets filled with the fluid endolymph, it affects receptors that send signals to the brain when you move. This can result in movement and balance difficulties. Fluid build-up in the cochlea can affect sound vibrations and sensory cells that send messages to your brain, which causes difficulties with hearing.
Common Symptoms of Ménière’s Disease May Include:
Dizziness: Dizziness may happen upon standing up or walking. It can be sudden and may worsen in a moving car or vehicle. It is less severe than vertigo.
Hearing loss: Hearing loss of low frequencies can happen at the early stages of the disease. It can progress and may lead to permanent hearing loss. It typically affects only one ear, but some cases exist in which both ears are affected. Some people only experience hearing loss during attacks. Others develop hearing loss that does not go into remission between attacks.
Vertigo: This is an experience of compromised balance that can lead to a feeling of dizziness, spinning, moving, twisting, or rocking. It may last up to several hours, and it can be very debilitating. People experiencing vertigo may fall as a result.
Nausea, vomiting, and other digestive issues: Vertigo and dizziness may cause nausea, vomiting, or even abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Pressure in the ear: Ménière’s disease may cause general discomfort in pressure in one or both ears.
Tinnitus: This experience is characterized by ringing, hissing, chirping, or buzzing in the ear. It is mostly annoying and may worsen over time. It is not dangerous.
Uncontrollable eye movements: In some people, Ménière’s disease may cause nystagmus or ‘dancing eyes’ when the eyes uncontrollably move rapidly up and down, side to side, or in circles usually connected to the sensation of movement and position.
Ménière’s disease and autoimmunity
When you have an autoimmune disorder, your immune system attacks your own healthy cells, which it assumes are foreign invaders, unhealthy cells, or pathogens. Common autoimmune disorders include psoriasis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease. Having one autoimmune disorder increases your risk of developing other autoimmune conditions.
We don’t know for certain if Ménière’s disease is an autoimmune condition, however, some recent scientific evidence suggests it may be. A 2012 scientific review found that the immune response in Ménière’s disease is connected to antigens. Based on a positive response to steroids or clinical criteria, the researchers determined that about one-third of cases may have an autoimmune origin. More research is necessary to determine the exact mechanisms that lead to the disease. During the study, participants responded well to steroid treatment, which is frequently used to treat autoimmune disorders.
In addition, a 2011 study of 690 outpatients found a high incident rate of systemic autoimmune disorders in those with Ménière’s disease. Researchers look at the prevalence of clinical criteria and immune system markers for rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis in those with Ménière’s disease.
Although the recent studies point to Ménière’s disease as an autoimmune disorder, more research is necessary to confirm that and understand how it is triggered.
Ménière’s disease conventional treatment options
Conventional treatment options for Ménière’s disease may include:
Motion sickness medication and anti-nausea drugs: Motion sickness medication may be used to help vertigo and nausea. Anti-nausea prescriptions may reduce extreme nausea or vomiting.
Hearing aid: Hearing aids may be suggested when one or both ears experience hearing loss. An audiologist can help to find the best available options for you if needed.
Sign language: While sign language is not a treatment strategy, it may be a great idea if hearing loss is happening. It may not only help communication but increase your confidence. Sign language is a ‘second language’ we can all benefit from learning even with hearing loss or Ménière’s disease.
Minett device: A Meniett device uses pulses of pressure to your ear canal to support inner fluid exchange to improve symptoms of vertigo and tinnitus. You can use this treatment at home.
Diuretics: Diuretics may help to control your dizziness by helping to lower fluid retention. Some of these medications may have certain side effects, including headaches, dizziness, thirst, muscle cramps, increased blood sugar, low sodium, and loss of potassium. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these side-effects while on these medications.
Injection: Antibiotic gentamicin injection into your ear may help to low both the severity and the frequency of vertigo attacks. The problem with this method is that it may increase the risk of hearing loss. Using a steroid dexamethasone injection is an alternative option. It has less risk of hearing loss, however, it is also less effective than using antibiotics.
Surgery: In some cases, when all treatment fails to reduce dizziness, surgery to decompress the endolymphatic nerve or in some cases to cut the vestibular nerve is performed. This is only a last resort strategy in serious cases.
Salt-restricted diet: Fluid retention may be associated with excess sodium. A salt-restricted low sodium diet of fewer than 2,000 milligrams is often suggested by doctors.
Other dietary and behavioral changes: Some patients may see improvement of symptoms when reducing or completely avoiding caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, and/or smoking.
Cognitive therapy: Some people find cognitive therapy effective as it helps them to interpret and react to life experiences differently, reduces anxiety about future and unexpected attacks, and helps them cope better.
Rehabilitation: Vestibular rehabilitation may help to improve your balance, particularly between attacks, and may prevent falls and provide a sense of well-being and confidence.
Alternative medicine: Some doctors are more open to alternative medicine and may suggest a more integrative approach involving acupuncture, acupressure, tai chi, or herbal medicine to complement conventional treatment. Later in this article, you will learn about all the natural support strategies I recommend that may support you with Ménière’s disease.
Causes of Ménière’s disease
While we don’t have definitive answers to what causes Ménière’s disease, certain factors may increase your risk. Here are the most common causes of Ménière’s disease:
- Family history & genetics
- Chronic stress & poor sleep
- Inflammatory diet
- Chronic infections & leaky gut
- Food & environmental allergies & sensitivities
- Mold exposure
- Vitamin D deficiency
Natural support strategies
If you are experiencing symptoms of Ménière’s disease or at risk of the conditions, there are some natural support strategies you can try including the following.
Avoid molds & allergens
Mold exposure and allergens can trigger Ménière’s disease symptoms. Check your home for hidden mold and have it professionally removed or move to a new home. Use a high-quality indoor air filtration system to remove mold and allergens in the air.
Improve Indoor Air & Water Quality
Fresh air and clean water are essential for your health. Toxicity in your water or air can trigger multiple symptoms. Get a high-quality indoor air filtration system that can filter out bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold, and other toxins or pathogens. Avoid plastic water bottles, and use glass jars, glass or aluminum bottles, or ceramic mugs instead.
Improve detoxification pathways
Improving your detoxification pathways is necessary for optimum health. Drink plenty of water and eat anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense, detoxification-supporting foods to support your digestion, liver and kidney function, and elimination through urine and bowel movements. Use an infrared sauna and exercise to encourage detoxification through sweating.
Anti-inflammatory nutrition plan
Inflammation and eating an inflammatory diet can trigger symptoms of Ménière’s disease. Follow an anti-inflammatory nutrition plan to lower inflammation and reduce symptoms. Remove refined sugar, refined oils, artificial ingredients, processed foods, and junk food. Reduce or avoid caffeine and alcohol, and reduce your salt intake. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in greens, vegetables, low-glycemic index fruits, herbs, spices, healthy fats, fermented foods, and clean animal protein.
Test for food sensitivities
Food sensitivities can trigger inflammation and increase or mimic certain symptoms of Ménière’s disease. Some blood tests will determine if you have food sensitivities. Or you can try an elimination diet. Make note of symptoms as you reintroduce foods.
Once you know that you are sensitive to a specific food, remove it from your diet. Common food sensitivities include sugar, gluten, wheat, soy, corn, dairy, and legumes.
Reduce stress & improve sleep quality
Support your anti-inflammatory nutrition plan with an anti-inflammatory, healthy lifestyle. Reduce your stress levels and improve sleep quality to lower anxiety, tension, and inflammation, and reduce symptoms. Try mindfulness, breathwork, meditation, practicing gratitude, or yoga.
Try meditation, breathwork, yoga, Tai Chi, nature walks, grounding, gratitude practice, and prayer. Develop a relaxing bedtime routine that helps you relax and unwind at night. Make sure to develop a regular sleep schedule supporting your natural circadian rhythms and getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night.
Vitamin D supplementation
There may be a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and Ménière’s disease. Vitamin D supplementation may help symptoms. A 2016 study found that vitamin D deficiency has been linked to vertigo and supplementation may be beneficial.
While spending time out in the sun and eating foods rich in vitamin D, such as fish, liver, and egg yolks are helpful, it is not enough to optimize your vitamin D levels. A daily supplement will help you achieve optimum levels.
Increase omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. A 2012 study found that supplementary omega-3 fatty may support homeostasis in the inner ear and benefit the treatment of Ménière’s disease and other inner ear disorders.
Fish, seafood, chia seeds, flax seeds, and hemp seeds are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids. You may also want to consider a daily high-quality omega-3 fish oil supplement.
Acupuncture treatment
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It uses thin needles in trigger or acupressure points that stimulate blood flow and specific organs and systems in your body to recreate balance and health.
Several studies have found that acupuncture may benefit the treatment of Ménière’s disease. If you have Ménière’s disease, acupuncture treatment may be a safe way to improve your symptoms.
Vestibular rehab & epley maneuver
Vestibular rehab is a method used by vestibular physical therapists to reduce symptoms of dizziness. The Epley maneuver is a method used by professionals to improve vertigo. Both dizziness and vertigo are associated with Ménière’s disease, and these methods may help alleviate symptoms of the disorder.
A 2017 pilot study found that vestibular rehabilitation may help to improve imbalance related to Ménière’s disease. A 2007 study found that the Epley’s maneuver may be beneficial for vertigo associated with Ménière’s disease.
Chiropractic care
Chiropractic care is another popular alternative option that involves spine manipulation and musculoskeletal bodywork to create balance and health in your body. A 2009 case study found that chiropractic work was beneficial in the management of Ménière’s disease in a 40-year-old female patient. A 2011 review published found that chiropractic work and manual therapy may be effective for dizziness, which is one of the main symptoms of Ménière’s disease. I
Final thoughts on Ménière’s disease
Ménière’s disease is a chronic disease of the inner ear with symptoms including vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus, ear congestion, hearing loss, nausea, vomiting, and digestion issues. If you have or at risk of developing Ménière’s disease, try the steps above to improve your overall health and well-being.