Oceanic Lily
Well-known member
Hi there LyseD, I don't know if you're familiar with the MAYO CLINIC website- over the years I've found it to be an excellent primary (ie. at home) diagnostic tool for establishing a base line to: 1. further narrow down what might be troubling you and 2. afford you greater latitude in communicating with your physician.
Sorry to go off topic but I have been having some serious problems with vertigo and my doctor seems stumped. Has anyone dealt with this before and how did you get a proper diagnosis?
Thanks so much for any help.
My mom has been a long time sufferer of Ménière's disease - take a look and see if any of the intel offered rings any bells (no pun intended
As cited on Mayo Clinic.com:
"The cause of Meniere's disease isn't well understood. It appears to be the result of the abnormal volume or composition of fluid in the inner ear.
The inner ear is a cluster of connected passages and cavities called a labyrinth. The outside of the inner ear is made of bone (bony labyrinth). Inside is a soft structure of membrane (membranous labyrinth) that's a slightly smaller, similarly shaped version of the bony labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth contains a fluid (endolymph) and is lined with hair-like sensors that respond to movement of the fluid.
In order for all of the sensors in the inner ear to function properly, the fluid needs to retain a certain volume, pressure and chemical composition. Factors that alter the properties of inner ear fluid may help cause Meniere's disease. Scientists have proposed a number of potential causes or triggers, including:
- Improper fluid drainage, perhaps because of a blockage or anatomic abnormality
- Abnormal immune response
- Allergies
- Viral infection
- Genetic predisposition
- Head trauma
- Migraines
Hope this helps even a little. The site is wonderful in not only profiling symptoms, causes, probable prognosis and suggested treatment(s) but it is a terrific portal of understanding when things happen when you least expect them and your trusted doctor is not on call.
Best of Luck-