I suffer from Meniere's Disease. Does anyone out there have any advice on how to control the symptoms?

My symptoms include: the need to sleep (have slept 14-15 hours at a time), heaviness and a sensation of pressure in my head, ringing in the ears, dizziness that brings a feeling of nausea.
An attack will come on if I have to endure a lot of stress, and if I eat anything with a lot of sodium.
My doctor has me on an diuretic since I was diagnosed over 7 years ago.
The attacks are becoming more frequent and my sleeping habits are way out of proportion. It is getting harder to find foods with little or no sodium.

Meniere's disease is an inner ear disorder that produces vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus. There is no diagnostic test. Vertigo and nausea are treated with anticholinergics or benzodiazepines. Diuretics and a low-salt diet may decrease frequency and severity of episodes. For severe cases, the vestibular system can be ablated with topical gentamicin or surgery.
Certain self-care tactics can help reduce the frequency and severity of the attacks associated with Meniere's disease. Consider these tips:
* Learn about your condition. Know how to recognize the warning signs of an attack of Meniere's disease.
* Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy. During an attack, avoid things that can make your signs and symptoms worse, such as sudden movement, bright lights, watching television or reading.
* Rest during and after attacks. Don't rush to return to your normal activities.
* Be aware of the possibility of losing your balance. Falling could lead to serious injury. Use good lighting if you get up in the night. Consider walking with a cane for stability.
* Avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery if you experience frequent episodes of vertigo. Doing so could lead to an accident and injury.
* Consider a hearing aid. This may be necessary if you experience hearing loss.
* Avoid using caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. Excessive use of these substances can constrict your blood vessels and worsen your symptoms.
* Work closely with your doctor. This may help you manage your symptoms effectively.
Please see the web pages for more details on Meniere's disease.

Agree Dr. Carol Jackson's the best highly acclaimed ear doc for the spins of Meniere's!!!! Report It

hmm..i guess you shouldnt get so stree up..low sodium diet

dont use earphones and i guess your not allowed to swim

http://www.webmd.com/brain/tc/menieres-d...

Recommended Adult Lifestyle Changes To Reduce The Frequency Of M茅ni猫re鈥檚 Disease Episodes

Avoid alcohol, caffeine, excessive fatigue, smoking, and streess
Eat properly
Get plenty of sleep
Remain physically active

Diagnosing And Treating M茅ni猫re鈥檚 Disease

A low salt diet and a diuretic (water pill) may reduce the frequency of attacks of M茅ni猫re鈥檚 disease in some patients. In order to receive the full benefit of the diuretic, it is important that you restrict your intake of salt and take the medication regularly as directed. Anti-vertigo medications, e.g., Antivert庐 (meclizine generic), or Valium庐 (diazepam generic), may provide temporary relief. Anti-nausea medication is sometimes prescribed. Anti-vertigo and anti-nausea medications may cause drowsiness. Avoid caffeine, smoking, and alcohol. Get regular sleep and eat properly. Remain physically active, but avoid excessive fatigue. Stress may aggravate the vertigo and tinnitus of M茅ni猫re鈥檚 disease. Stress avoidance or counseling may be advised. If you have vertigo without warning, you should not drive, because failure to control the vehicle may be hazardous to yourself and others. Safety may require you to forego ladders, scaffolds, and swimming.


When Is Surgery Recommended?

If vertigo attacks are not controlled by
conservative measures and are disabling, one of the following surgical procedures might be recommended:

Intratympanic treatment, also known as chemical labyrinthotomy, is an office procedure in which a medicine, such as gentamicin, is injected into the middle ear. Other medicines may be used. Gentamicin is an antibiotic that causes a partial loss of balance function in the treated ear, controlling vertigo in about three fourths of cases and usually preserving hearing. Apart from a period of disequilibrium that can occur as the patient adjusts to the new level of balance function, this treatment is usually very well tolerated.
It is also significantly simpler and less invasive than other surgical treatments.
The endolymphatic shunt or decompression procedure is an ear operation that is usually preserves hearing. Attacks of vertigo are controlled in one-half to two-thirds of cases, but control is not permanent in all cases. Recovery time after this procedure is short compared to the other procedures.
Selective vestibular neurectomy is a procedure in which the balance nerve is cut as it leaves the inner ear and goes to the brain. Vertigo attacks are permanently cured in a high percentage of cases, and hearing is preserved in most cases.
Labryrinthectomy and eighth nerve section
are procedures in which the balance and
hearing mechanism in the inner ear are destroyed on one side. This is considered when the patient with M茅ni猫re鈥檚 disease has poor hearing in the affected ear. Labryrinthectomy and eighth nerve section result in the highest rates for control of vertigo attacks.

First, see a good inner ear doctor.There are medicines for vertigo and nausea. If you're getting worse, get a second opinion from an otologist, like mine Dr. Carol Jackson of Newport Beach. She's the best around for dizziness and Meniere's. Sometimes surgery is needed.