Do you find yourself getting dizziness episodes that impact your daily function? With the episode do you find yourself having nausea or vomiting? Have you noticed a recent, unexplained hearing loss? If so, you may be experiencing the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease.
What is it?
Meniere’s Disease is a disorder of the inner ear. It is caused by a buildup of fluid and fluctuating pressures within the ear, resulting in blocked gravitational messages to the brain. This can result in an imbalance known as vertigo, in addition to tinnitus, commonly referred to as “a ringing of the ears,” and even hearing loss in extreme cases.
Fortunately, GoodLife Physical Therapy is here to help. If you believe you may be experiencing common symptoms of Meniere’s Disease, contact our office today at Orland Park, Homer Glen or Evergreen Park, IL to request an appointment!
How does physical therapy help?
It can undoubtedly be difficult to determine when to seek treatment for something. It is true that the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease can sometimes come and go on their own, but if the condition is not treated the symptoms can always return, sometimes much worse than they were the first time around.
Without treatment, it is also possible for Meniere’s Disease to progress and result in more severe risks, such as full hearing loss. Why take the risk? If you believe you may have the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease, it is important to consult with a physical therapist immediately.
Physical Therapy is a common supplemental treatment for Meniere’s Disease, and our team at GoodLife Physical Therapy is trained to help alleviate any dizzying, lightheaded, or physically unstable symptoms you may be experiencing.
For Meniere’s Disease, it is likely that your physical therapist will recommend vestibular rehabilitation. This form of physical therapy focuses on the vestibular system, located within the inner ear, and the ways in which we can strengthen it.
The vestibular system sends the gravitational messages to your brain about your body movements, and focusing on balance-specific exercises can help in strengthening this system, thus diminishing the effects of Meniere’s Disease. By retraining the vestibular system through vestibular rehabilitation treatments, your physical therapist will be able to help you relieve your symptoms and decrease their risk of return.
How can I tell if I have this Disease?
Vertigo is the main symptom of Meniere’s Disease; however, it can also be accompanied by additional symptoms. Due to the buildup of fluid and pressure in the inner ear, the most common additional symptoms are tinnitus and hearing loss. Complete deafness is uncommon with Meniere’s Disease, but it can occur if the symptoms persist long enough. Unsteadiness or imbalance is another common symptom. Because of this, it is important to contact GoodLife Physical Therapy at Orland Park, Homer Glen or Evergreen Park, IL as soon as possible if you believe you may be living with Meniere’s Disease. Some other symptoms that can arise with this include:
- Dizziness – this is the most commonly reported symptom of vertigo, also referred to as swaying, spinning, tilting, or even the sensation of being pulled to one direction
- Nystagmus – this is the phenomenon of experiencing uncontrollable eye movements, commonly referred to as “eye jerks.”
- Difficulty walking or imbalance
- Fluctuating hearing loss
- A feeling of pressure within the ear
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Fainting
Relieving symptoms
There are some steps you can take on your own to find relief for this Disease and prevent furthering the severity of the condition. Some lifestyle factors can aggravate the symptoms and make them much worse. Some helpful tips for avoiding this include:
- Maintaining a low sodium diet.
- Managing allergies with allergy medication.
- Staying away from alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.
- Taking diuretics, or “water pills,” to decrease the amount of pressure and fluid buildup in your ear.
- Participating in physical therapy or vestibular rehabilitation treatments to relieve your condition and improve your balance.
Of course, contacting a physical therapist is the first step when finding relief for Meniere’s Disease. In addition to the tips you can do on your own, your physical therapist will provide an individualized treatment plan for your specific needs, so you can find relief as quickly as possible. Contact GoodLife Physical Therapy in Orland Park, Homer Glen or Evergreen Park, IL today to find out more.
Find relief today
Do you believe you may be living with Meniere’s Disease? If so, don’t hesitate to contact GoodLife Physical Therapy today. We’ll help you get back on your feet.
