Symptoms:
A disease of the inner ear, characterized by recurring episodes of ringing in the ears (tinnitus), loss of balance, and severe dizziness (vertigo). There is progressive deafness and a sensation of fullness in the ears. Sudden movement during an attack can induce nausea and vomiting. Sometimes there is an uncontrollable horizontal jerking of the eyeballs.

The condition may affect one or both ears. It generally occurs in adults (most often in women, 50-60 years old). The onset is sudden. It may last for hours or weeks, and then return soon again, after years. In most instances, it is experienced only in one ear, and can result in complete deafness in that ear.

Vertigo is the sensation that the world is turning around you. Meniere's syndrome accounts for 10-15% of all vertigo (and 5% of all dizziness).

Cause:
This often results from a metabolic problem, resulting from a disturbed carbohydrate metabolism, such as is found in hypoglycemia.

Impaired blood flow to the brain may be a causative factor. Those experiencing Meniere's syndrome often have a history of vasomotor rhinitis, ear trouble, and allergies.

Autopsies reveal an edema in the membranous labyrinth.

Other possible causes may include allergies, viruses, infections, and hormonal intolerances.

Symptoms exactly like Meniere's syndrome can be caused by a cholesteatoma. This is a tumor-like growth in the middle ear, which gradually pushes on the central nervous system. Consulting with a specialist might be of help in diagnosing the cause.

In some instances this is misdiagnosed; and it is actually salicylism, from excessive self-medication of aspirin. That can also cause deafness, ringing in the ears, dizziness, headache, vomiting, confusion, and hyperventilation in the later stages. If that is the cause, stop all taking of aspirin immediately.

Fluid retention in the semicircular canals might be putting pressure on the delicate nerves of the inner ear.

Treatment:
• A general cleansing routine is often met with excellent results. This would include fasting for 3-7 days on vegetable juices, which would be repeated every six weeks. In between, a solid nutritious diet, composed of lots of vegetables, seaweed, seeds, nuts, beans, etc., should be eaten.

• Vitamins A, B complex (including B6, niacin, pantothenic acid), and especially vitamin C. Calcium is also needed. A lack of manganese can cause deafness, dizziness, and ear noises. A lack of magnesium can produce nerve twitching and sensitivity to noise.

• Drink enough water.

• Eliminate white flour products, white sugar, unsaturated fats, excess salt intake, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. An oil free diet may improve circulation in the tiny capillaries. Smoking induces constriction and spasm of the blood vessels. In one study, 9 out of 10 patients improved, when placed on a low-salt diet.

• In another study, allergies to milk, eggs, corn, wheat, and yeast sometimes caused Meniere's. Eliminating them essentially terminated the problem. Stop using all of the above foods; then gradually reintroduce one at a time, and see which might be bothering you.

• Variations in glucose levels can prompt Meniere's. A New York study indicated that, when insulin levels are normal, the patient seldom has tinnitus, vertigo, fullness in the ear, or variable hearing loss.

• Gradually increase the amount of out-of-door exercise. Breath deeply as you do it. This will help the circulation in the head.

• Use one bowl for hot water and one for cold, once or twice a day, and take a hot and cold head bath. Immerse the head in the hot, for 30-60 seconds, and then plunge it into ice cold. (If elderly, weakened, or with a heart condition, begin with less extreme temperatures.)

• Herbs which may help include cayenne, gotu kola, butcher's broom, ginkgo biloba, and ginger.

• At the time of an attack, lying quietly on the affected side, with eyes turned in the direction of the affected ear may help reduce the immediate crisis.

• If helping someone with this problem, let him move about at his own rate. Avoid jarring him. When speaking to him, stand directly in front so he will not have to turn his head (which can add to the vertigo).