Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes vertig, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sensorineural hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The inner ear has two main parts, the cochlea, which helps with hearing and the labyrinth, which aids in balance. Both of these are interconnected and are filled with endolymph fluid, which is continuously produced. In Ménière's disease, it is thought that there is a defect in the absorption of this fluid; it is produced normally but not absorbed as quickly as it should be causing a buildup of fluid in the inner ear. To prevent excessive build up of fluid, which would cause damage, the fluid has to be absorbed at the same rate at which it is produced; maintaining a constant volume. Because the hearing and balance parts are connected, the buildup of this fluid causes both hearing and balance problems. Hearing loss is fluctuated rather than permanent; meaning that it comes and goes, alternating between ears for some time, then becomes permanent with no return to normal function. Studies have shown that Meniere's disease affects about 200 out of 100,000 people. The majority of people with Ménière's disease are over 40 years of age, with equal distribution between males and females.
Meniere's disease is named after a French physician, Prosper Meinere, who reported in an article published in 1861, that vertigo was caused by inner ear disorders. Attacks of vertigo may come suddenly or after a short period of tinnitus or muffled hearing. Patients with Ménière's disease have vertigo so extreme that they lose their balance and fall. These episodes are called "drop attacks." Dr. Kentala et al. (2001) conducted a study over vertigo attacks. These attacks are characterized by sudden loss of balance with or without falls but with preserved consciousness. They are supposedly triggered by changes in the otolith function of Meniere's disease.
