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Did you know that the root cause of Meniere's disease is related to genetics?
Ménière's disease (MD) is a disease that affects the inner ear and is characterized by severe and intolerable vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ears. According to statistics, there are about 0.3 to 1.9 cases of this disease per 1,000 people. It usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. The incidence rate in women is higher than that in men. The cause of Meniere's disease is unknown, but research suggests it may be related to genetic and environmental factors.
Attacks of Meniere's disease usually affect one ear, but over time, both ears may be affected. The duration of attacks can range from 20 minutes to several hours, and the time between attacks can also vary.
Causes and mechanisms
There are many theories for the cause of Meniere's disease, including vasoconstriction, viral infection, and autoimmune response. According to research, about 10% of cases run in families, meaning there is a genetic influence. The onset of symptoms is thought to be related to excessive accumulation of fluid in the labyrinth of the inner ear.
Endolymphatic hydrops is thought to be strongly associated with the development of Meniere's disease, but not every patient with endolymphatic edema will develop Meniere's disease.
Diagnostic criteria
For the diagnosis of Meniere's disease, doctors usually base their diagnosis on the patient's clinical symptoms and hearing test results. According to the 2015 diagnostic criteria, a diagnosis of Meniere's disease requires experiencing two or more spontaneous episodes of vertigo, each lasting 20 minutes to 12 hours. These episodes must be accompanied by hearing loss and ear fullness and should not be explained by other vestibular disorders.
A common and important symptom in diagnosing Meniere's disease is sensitivity to sound. This allergy can be easily diagnosed when measuring loudness discomfort levels (LDLs).
Treatment methods and management
There is currently no cure for Meniere's disease, but symptoms can be managed through medications, dietary adjustments, physical therapy, and psychological counseling. Approximately 85% of people with Meniere's disease will improve with lifestyle changes, medications, or minimally invasive surgery.
During an attack, doctors may use medications to reduce nausea and anxiety medications to help patients. Long-term treatment consists of diuretics and steroids to reduce the accumulation of fluid in the ears.
Diet and Lifestyle
Many people with Meniere's disease are advised to reduce their sodium intake, although there is not enough research to support the effects of reducing salt. It has been hypothesized that attacks of Meniere's disease may be related to migraines, so some doctors advocate the need to exclude "migraine triggers" such as caffeine, but the existing evidence is still weak.
Prognosis and quality of life
Meniere's disease is usually limited to one ear at first, but in about 30% of cases it progresses to involve both ears. A patient's hearing loss often fluctuates in the early stages, but as the disease progresses, the loss becomes more persistent.
The course of Meniere's disease generally ranges from 5 to 15 years, and the end result is often a mild imbalance, tinnitus, and moderate hearing loss in one ear.
As scientific research advances, Meniere's disease remains a challenging area. Faced with the complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors, can you understand the potential role of genes in this disease?
