What should you know about Meniere's disease?

The inner ear helps control hearing and balance. Meniere's disease can cause attacks of spinning vertigo, often with ringing in the ears, a blocked or pressured feeling, and fluctuating hearing loss. Episodes may last from minutes to hours, and people can feel washed out afterward. Symptoms may affect one ear or, over time, both.

Vertigo has many possible causes, so these symptoms do not establish Meniere's disease on their own. A clinician reviews the episode pattern, medicines, migraine history, and neurological symptoms. A hearing test documents hearing changes and helps distinguish inner-ear problems from other causes.

During an attack, sit or lie somewhere safe, keep your head still, and avoid driving, climbing, swimming alone, or operating machinery until balance has returned. Keep a record of vertigo, hearing changes, ringing, pressure, sleep, stress, and possible food or drink triggers.

Arrange a GP consultation for recurring episodes or new hearing symptoms. Treatment plans may address dizziness, nausea, hearing support, and fall prevention. Follow the plan provided by your clinician rather than changing medicines during an attack without advice.

Seek emergency help for sudden hearing loss, new facial weakness, trouble speaking, one-sided weakness, severe headache, chest pain, fainting, or inability to walk safely. Prompt assessment is also needed for a first severe episode or vertigo with persistent vomiting.

Ask whether your symptoms fit an inner-ear disorder, which hearing or balance assessments are useful, how to manage an attack, when driving is safe, and what changes should trigger urgent review.