The symptoms of Ménière's disease are associated with a change in fluid volume within the fluid-filled tubes of the inner ear. These tubes are called semicircular canals, or labyrinths, and, along with a nerve in your skull, help interpret your body's position and maintain your balance. The labyrinth has two parts: the bony labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth, which is encased by bone, is necessary for hearing and balance and is filled with a fluid called endolymph. When your head moves, endolymph moves, causing nerve receptors in the membranous labyrinth to send signals to the brain about the body's motion. An increase in endolymph, however, can cause the membranous labyrinth to balloon or dilate, a condition known as endolymphatic hydrops.
Meniere's disease occurs when a part of the canal, called the endolymphatic sac, becomes swollen. This sac helps filter and remove fluid in the semicircular canals.
The exact cause of Meniere's disease is unknown. In some cases, it may be related to:
Head injury Middle ear infection Syphilis
Other risk factors include:
Allergies Alcohol use Fatigue Recent viral illness Respiratory infection Smoking Stress Use of certain medications, including aspirin
Genetics may also play a role.
Many experts on Ménière's disease think that a rupture of the membranous labyrinth allows the endolymph to mix with perilymph, another inner ear fluid that occupies the space between the membranous labyrinth and the bony inner ear. This mixing, scientists believe, can cause the symptoms of Ménière's disease. Scientists are investigating several possible causes of the disease, including environmental factors, such as noise pollution and viral infections, as well as biological factors.
What causes Ménière's disease?
The symptoms of Ménière's disease are associated with a change in fluid volume within the fluid-filled tubes of the inner ear. These tubes are called semicircular canals, or labyrinths, and, along with a nerve in your skull, help interpret your body's position and maintain your balance. The labyrinth has two parts: the bony labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth, which is encased by bone, is necessary for hearing and balance and is filled with a fluid called endolymph. When your head moves, endolymph moves, causing nerve receptors in the membranous labyrinth to send signals to the brain about the body's motion. An increase in endolymph, however, can cause the membranous labyrinth to balloon or dilate, a condition known as endolymphatic hydrops.
Meniere's disease occurs when a part of the canal, called the endolymphatic sac, becomes swollen. This sac helps filter and remove fluid in the semicircular canals.
The exact cause of Meniere's disease is unknown. In some cases, it may be related to:
Head injury Middle ear infection Syphilis
Other risk factors include:
Allergies Alcohol use Fatigue Recent viral illness Respiratory infection Smoking Stress Use of certain medications, including aspirin
Genetics may also play a role.
Many experts on Ménière's disease think that a rupture of the membranous labyrinth allows the endolymph to mix with perilymph, another inner ear fluid that occupies the space between the membranous labyrinth and the bony inner ear. This mixing, scientists believe, can cause the symptoms of Ménière's disease. Scientists are investigating several possible causes of the disease, including environmental factors, such as noise pollution and viral infections, as well as biological factors.