Meniere Disease (cont.)

1. View the Ear Infection Slideshow
2. Take the Ear Infection Quiz
3. Ear Health Quiz

Call your doctor and discuss your symptoms if any of the following occur.

• Your attack lasts for more than 3 hours.
• The symptoms during the attack become more severe.
• You pass out.
• You suffer hearing loss for more than 24 hours.
• The attack is different than your typical (previous) episodes or does not respond to home treatments including prescribed medications.

If your doctor is not available, or if the doctor recommends treatment and workup, you should go to the hospital's emergency department for further evaluation to rule out other potential causes of the symptoms or to try other treatment options.

The diagnosis of Ménière disease is made based on a careful history and physical exam. If the workup findings are normal and the classic symptoms continue, the diagnosis of Ménière disease is made. A diagnosis of classic or suspected Ménière disease may be made.

• Other potentially treatable disease processes and causes for the symptoms, however, must be ruled out.
• Typically, your doctor will perform a series of basic lab tests, a hearing test, and may consider an imaging study such as an MRI (brain scan) to rule out other causes for the symptoms.

The best way to manage an attack at home is to minimize the symptoms.

• Lie in a quiet room with your eyes closed.
• Try medications prescribed by your doctor: Medications that help decrease anxiety such as diazepam (Valium) or prochlorperazine (Compazine) can be used to help shorten and decrease the severity of the symptoms. Your doctor can prescribe these types of medications and others after a complete evaluation and treatment plan is made. If the vertigo is severe and accompanied with nausea and vomiting, suppository medications suppository medicatio may be necessary.
• If these treatments do not help during an attack, seek further medical evaluation for other treatment options. Rule out any other potential diseases.

Must Read Articles Related to Meniere Disease

Benign Positional Vertigo Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of learn more >>

Labyrinthitis Labyrinthitis means an inflammation of the inner ear structure called the learn more >>

Tinnitus Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a cause for hearing loss...learn more >>

See the Entire Meniere Disease Topic Guide »