title: Clinical hints and precipitating factors in patients suffering from Meniere's disease.
abstract: Meniere disease is one of the most fascinating and most vexing of all clinical conditions encountered by the otolaryngologist. Operationally speaking, a Meniere ear is a fragile ear. In fact, Meniere disease can and should be redefined as a degenerating inner ear that has impairment of one or more homeostatic systems, resulting in instability of hearing and balance function. This updated definition is a valuable guide to the clinical epidemiology and presentation of Meniere disease and to understanding the effects of conservative treatments. In the absence of a definitive test for Meniere disease, the greatest challenge for the clinician may be differentiating this condition from migraine. Ultimately, Meniere vertigo attacks are controllable in more than 99% of cases, but hearing loss and other auditory symptoms tend to be unresponsive to treatment.
authors: Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. steven_rauch@meei.harvard.edu
authors: Steven D
authors: SD
authors: Rauch
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D004232:Diuretics; D002110:Caffeine