What Is Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear condition which can lead to vertigo, tinnitus, or hearing loss. Unfortunately, the exact cause of Meniere’s disease remains unclear. However, researchers have connected the development of Meniere’s disease to abnormal changes in fluid build-up in the inner ear. Some other potential causes may include allergies, autoimmune conditions, or a genetic predisposition.
Meniere’s Disease Signs and Symptoms
There are a number of different signs and symptoms that come with Meniere’s disease. Many of these symptoms overlap with other conditions relating to the inner ear, so it’s important that you consult with your doctor to confirm a Meniere’s disease diagnosis.
Some of the most common symptoms of Meniere’s disease include vertigo/dizziness, tinnitus (ear ringing), pressure or fullness in the ear, loss of hearing, nausea/motion sickness, and concentration difficulties.
Meniere’s disease can occur in phases (aura, early stage, attack-phase, in-between, and late-stage) and is often worsened by smoking or high sodium intake. While there are several different medications that can help to manage these symptoms, they rarely address the root cause of Meniere’s disease. If you’re fed up with being prescribed yet another medication, read on to find out how upper cervical chiropractic care can offer more permanent relief.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Meniere’s Disease
Misalignments in the upper cervical spine underpin a wide range of neurological and biomechanical disorders. In fact, there is a growing body of evidence linking upper cervical misalignments with the onset of Meniere’s disease.
Left untreated, a misalignment in the upper cervical spine may place stress on the brainstem and, in turn, the central nervous system (CNS). The resulting inflammation can disrupt balance control signals from the CNS and patients may experience symptoms similar to Meniere’s disease. Inflammation in this region can also produce lesions impacting the eustachian tube and trigeminal ganglion, potentially disrupting the movement and build-up of fluid in the inner ear.
How Our Meniere’s Disease Treatment Works
More often than not, correcting misalignments in the upper cervical spine will help to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms associated with Meniere’s disease. When receiving upper cervical chiropractic treatment, Dr. Shamloo will need to locate any potential misalignments in the upper cervical spine. To do this, your doctor will take advanced 3D imaging of your spine to identify the exact location, angle, and severity of any misalignments.
Once your doctor has located the misalignment, they’ll begin a series of specific spinal corrections. Unlike traditional chiropractic techniques, upper cervical chiropractic care doesn’t involve painful pulling, or twisting techniques.
If Meniere's disease is getting in the way of your day-to-day life, contact Upper Spine Knoxville for an appointment. Dr. Shamloo provides treatment to patients in Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls, and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.