Meniere's disease side effects and risks

The condition may bring vertigo, nausea, ear pressure, ringing and changes in hearing. An attack can increase the risk of falling and may make driving, bathing alone or working at height unsafe. Hearing difficulty can also make conversations and alarms harder to follow.

Medicines used for dizziness or nausea can cause sleepiness, blurred vision or reduced alertness in some people. Medicines that affect fluid balance can cause problems if they are unsuitable for your health or taken incorrectly. The effect of an ear procedure or other treatment should be explained before you agree to it.

During an episode, sit or lie down, keep the area clear and ask someone to stay nearby if you feel unsafe. Do not drive or use machinery until you are fully alert and steady. Take prescribed medicines exactly as directed and report troublesome effects rather than silently stopping them.

Keep a diary of vertigo, hearing changes, ringing, possible triggers and medicine timing. A GP Consultation can review the pattern and arrange a Hearing Test or referral when needed.

Get emergency help for sudden hearing loss, weakness on one side, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, fainting, severe headache or a new inability to walk. Seek prompt advice for repeated falls, persistent vomiting, severe drowsiness or a suspected medicine reaction.

Ask which effects come from the condition, which may come from treatment, when to avoid driving, and what to do if hearing or balance worsens.