Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Meniere's disease is diagnosed on the following criteria:
a. Vertigo
b. Fluctuating hearing loss
c. Tinnitus
d. Fullness in the ear
There is usually nausea and
vomiting, the hearing usually worsens during an attack and the tinnitus also worsens. Other medication besides stemetil may include anti-viral medication, a low salt diet, diamox, vertin or stugeron.
2.
Labyrinthitis involves both the cochlea and the vestibular labyrinth. If you do not have hearing loss, your diagnosis cannot be labyrinthitis. It may be
vestibular neuritis alone. You should get a PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram) to document any hearing loss. Meniere's disease usually causes low frequency hearing loss initially ( Audiogram sloping to left).
3. Get a Tympanogram done to check middle ear pressures. If this Impedance Audiogram is normal, it may be Meniere's as it does not affect the middle ear.
4. Do you have history of any illness - ear / neck related problems or head injury? Any
headaches or migraine? Any
hyperacidity or recent cold?
5. I will be able to guide you better about the possible cause if you can provide me more details of your
dizziness like:
a. The exact moment when it all started,
b. How often and how long do the episodes last? Is it continuous?
c. Any other associated symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting or sweating?
d. I need to know if your hearing is normal. Does it fluctuate? Do you get the sounds (tinnitus) or fullness in one or both ears? Has any doctor checked your eardrums?
e. Is the dizziness true vertigo (spinning of the surrounding) or only unsteadiness.
f. Is the dizziness only when there is change of position (such as lie down or sit up)? Can you walk without support? Does you get dizzy when you turn in bed or look up while climbing stairs?
g. Is your vision clear or blurred? Is there any tendency to blackout?
6. It is also important to
consult a neurologist to rule out neurological degenerations that can cause such symptoms. (MRI scans may not be enough to pick these conditions).
Regards.