Meniere’s disease is comprised of a set of symptoms that come and go, including vertigo, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear), hearing loss, and a sense of fullness in the ear. An episode can be short-lived, lasting only 20 minutes, or up to 4 long, uncomfortable hours. Meniere’s disease is also known as idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops, which sounds complex, but looking at each of the components of the name gives us a clue to its meaning.
- Idiopathic means that there is no known cause or origin
- Endolymphatic refers to the fluid that fills the inner ear – endolymph
- Hydrops means swelling as a result of being filled with fluid
The part of Meniere’s I’d like to focus on is the fact that the cause remains unclear according to many researchers. Much of the focus has been on looking at Meniere’s as a disease of the inner ear. Excess fluid collects in the inner ear due to either overproduction or inadequate absorption. This can give way to the attacks that Meniere’s sufferers experience.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
An overlooked cause of Meniere’s is a problem with the upper cervical spine. It’s this exact issue that I look for when someone comes to Solara Health. As an upper cervical chiropractor, I am specifically trained to detect and correct misalignments of the vertebrae that are tasked with protecting the brainstem. Messages travelling via the brainstem between the brain and body can become distorted when the vertebrae that protect it shift away from their normal alignment. This can be a major contributing factor to the development of symptoms associated with Meniere’s.
Rather than trying upper cervical chiropractic as a last effort, why not explore the option of whether or not there is compression on the brainstem that is creating the conditions for Meniere’s to develop and persist. Our approach is directed at the underlying cause, is extremely gentle, and has had tried and true results.
References:
http://www.entnet.org/content/menieres-disease
http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/hydrops
To schedule a consultation with Vibe Health & Spine, call our Calgary office at (403) 266-2283. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
