Meniere’s disease takes its name after Prosper Ménière, the French doctor who correctly identified this as an ear condition in the mid-1800s. Besides seeking advice from medical experts in Rochester Hills upper cervical chiropractic practitioners can help cope with this ailment.
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An Overview
Our inner ears have bony and membranous structures that are each wrapped in fluid-like substance. The inner ears also have canals where it expels the fluids. The inner ear’s design is very delicate. Small actions can create wave-like movements that affect the fluids, which can set off a series of reactions to the brain and other parts of the body.
Meniere’s disease is a result of fluid retention and build-up in the inner ears. Before Dr. Ménière’s discovery, physicians thought that the disease is a brain condition. They probably based their conclusion on these symptoms:
- Head feels heavy
- Pressure in the impacted ear
- Vertigo or dizzy sensation
- Nystagmus or uncontrolled eye movements
- Tinnitus or noises in the ears
If you look at this list, you might notice that the symptoms indicate other conditions as well. This fact makes it difficult for health experts to diagnose Ménière’s disease. When all the known symptoms are present, and there are no underlying conditions, doctors can consider Ménière’s disease.
Risk Considerations
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Genetic factors
A predisposition towards this disease can be a result of family history. A family member diagnosed with this disease increases a person’s likelihood of a diagnosis during his lifetime.
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Current medical conditions
Migraines, brain tumors, and multiple sclerosis are some of the illnesses that can lead to Meniere’s disease.
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Bodily harm
Events that cause injury to the head and neck can lead to this condition.
The Attack Phases of Meniere’s Disease
The hallmark signs of this disease might be similar in some aspects while distinct in some. According to Rochester Hills upper cervical chiropractic doctors, Meniere’s disease usually manifests in three phases: before, ongoing, and after.
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Before an attack
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- A sense that the ears feel heavy and congested. Imagine the feeling of having water retained in the ears after swimming. This is similar to what a person feels, leading to an episode.
- The afflicted can hear random noises. This can be disconcerting, especially when someone confirms that it is non-existent.
- The person can suddenly become unsteady. The unexpected feeling of losing one’s balance precedes an episode of Meniere’s disease. In some instances, this leads to a sudden downfall. When the body fails to restore balance immediately, a person can abruptly fall. In some cases, the person is conscious and can quickly recover. The scary aspect is that this can happen with no warning, so the possibility of injury or accidents is high.
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During an attack
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- The incessant noises continue. Some people hear ringing while others identify buzzing sounds. Some people accuse those who have Meniere’s disease of making up these sounds since they are non-existent. If you are looking after someone with this condition, please know that this is a real feeling.
- The afflicted person deals with the nauseous and unsteadiness caused by vertigo.
- A person deals with throbbing pain that can occur and dissipate randomly. A person might experience reprieve only to deal with the pain that can become more and more intense.
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After an attack
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- A person can’t help but feel fatigued. The overall feeling of being rundown comes after an episode of Meniere’s disease.
- Some people with Meniere’s disease experience pain in the head, neck, and body after an attack. In Rochester Hills upper cervical chiropractic care helped ease the body discomfort felt by some people.
- In grave cases, Meniere’s disease can lead to permanent hearing loss. Some people do not recover after an attack.
- While the body is starting to restore its balance, a person with Meniere’s disease might still have sight issues. Focus and perception might continue to be an issue for some, which means that they might not feel fully comfortable resuming their daily chores.
Relief Options
Lifestyle changes. Some people diagnosed with Meniere’s disease opt for low-sodium diets to lessen the likelihood of fluid retention in the inner ears.
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Prescription medication
Doctors can prescribe medicine that can address the symptoms. Some medicines help address nausea, dizziness, and migraines.
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Upper cervical chiropractic care
Upper cervical chiropractors determine if the pressure build-up in the inner ears might result from gaps and misalignment in the spinal bones and discs. Vehicular accidents that result in bodily harm might dislodge bones and discs from their original placement. When this happens, certain sections of the neck and spinal column might be pressing too close to each other. This can lead to pressure build-up in specific areas like the inner ear, which might cause Meniere’s disease.
If you live in Rochester Hills upper cervical chiropractic care is available here at Balanced Living Chiropractic. Dr. Cicala can complete an evaluation to determine if your neck and body are misaligned. If yes, then this might be one of the contributing factors of your Meniere’s disease.
Using a thorough, precise approach, Dr. Cicala can restore your body’s alignment. This will relieve unnecessary pressure in the affected parts of your body. When this happens, it can help alleviate your Meniere’s disease symptoms and hopefully restore balance in your body.
It only takes that first check-up to determine if you can benefit from upper cervical chiropractic. Give Dr. Cicala a call so he can help you look for ways to achieve relief.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation, call 248-831-0729 or just click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.