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Running head: MENIERES DISEASE

Menieres Disease
Howard University
Kiana Dillard

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Menieres Disease

Hearing is one of the most prominent senses needed to maneuver through life, as well as
sight, smell, and taste. An individuals health, safety, and wellbeing can be jeopardized if he or
she experiences a loss or interruption of hearing (Peate, 2009). In 1861, Dr. M e ni e` re was
accredited with delineating Menieres disease, a disabling illness characterized by fluctuating
hearing loss, episodic vertigo, ear fullness, and tinnitus (Ishiyama, Lopez, Sepahdari, &
Ishiyama, 2015). The cause of Menieres disease is idiopathic, but is thought to be multifactorial.
Some possible risk factors are: allergies, autoimmunity, genetic susceptibility, metabolic
disturbances, vascular factors, and viral infections (Henderson, 2015). Initially, this chronic
illness was described as an inner ear labyrinthine dysfunction, as opposed to a central
neurological disorder. However, as 80 years progressed the major correlate, endolymphatic
hydrops, was revealed. This discovery was made through postmortem human temporal bone
studies. Endolymphatic hydrops is the dilation of the membranous labyrinthine of the inner ear
(Ishiyama et. al, 2015). Menieres disease is categorized into three stages: the early-stage, the
middle-stage, and the late-stage. Diagnosis is based on the criteria of clinical features,
audiometric findings, and finally exclusion of other causes (Henderson, 2015). This otologic
balance disorder is most prevalent in women and is often associated with migraines (Simo, Yang,
Qu, Preis, Nazzal, & Baugh, 2015).
Menieres disease impacts global health care due to its implications on health care
workers. There have been higher occurrences among doctors, nurses, and hospital employees.
Thus, this finding confirms the association between Menieres disease and United States higher
income populations (Simo et. al, 2015). Simo et. al (2015) found that a greater awareness of

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healthcare, access to healthcare, and ease of patient communication with healthcare providers
contributes to the higher occurrence of Menieres disease with income.
Furthermore, this illness requires a team effort of healthcare assistants, assistant
practitioners, nurses, general practitioners, physiotherapists, audiologists, hearing therapists, and
ear, nose and throat specialists due to the predominant nature of sustaining a safe environment.
This brings one to the conclusion that it is obligatory for quality of healthcare to be efficient. The
collaborative effort of all of these specialties advocates the need for a just and client-centered
healthcare platform. The client-centered approach is most necessary because this approach
incorporates empathy along with empowering and motivating the client throughout this process.
Therapy is often instituted in effort to alleviate acute attacks, reduce severity and frequency of
attacks, improve hearing, and reduce the impact of tinnitus (Henderson, 2015). Also, in order
for the healthcare providers and assistant practitioners to provide intervention that is safe and
effective, they must obtain knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the ear (Peate, 2009).
In regards to health care policies, a main concern among patients with Menieres disease
is insurance. Depending on the severity, this illness can require medications, noninvasive
therapies, including implementation of assistive devices, a demand for multidisciplinary
healthcare workers, and even surgeries. These treatments have the ability to place a financial
burden on the receiver. Although research by Simo et. al (2015) has found that there is a high
occurrence among higher income populations, this does not eliminate this disease from
impacting people from a lower socioeconomic background. Often times those affected by this
disease who come from a low socioeconomic community lack the necessary insurance needed to
reduce the copays and deductibles that accompany these treatments.

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No pubic health models have yet been established for the education of Menieres disease.
However, there has been the implementation of particular dietary goals to help prevent ongoing
attacks of Menieres disease. Furthermore, the American Hearing Research Foundation (AHRF)
has created a website forum which incorporates ongoing research on the disease as well as gives
educational tips and contact connections for living with this disabling illness.
In conclusion, Menieres disease is a chronic illness that requires a multidisciplinary
team approach (Peate, 2009). Counterparts affected by this disease are advised to regularly
receive monitoring due to the severe effect this disabling illness can have on his or her health if
poorly controlled. Moreover, a person with Menieres disease health and wellbeing can be
enhanced through the emotional and practical support he or she is provided with.

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References

Henderson, R. (2015, July 21). Menieres disease. Retrieved from

http://patient.info/doctor/menieres-disease-pro
Ishiyama, G., Lopez, I. A., Sepahdari, A. R., & Ishiyama, A. (2015). Menieres disease:
Histopathology, cytochemistry, and imaging. Annals of the New York Academy of
Sciences, 1343(1), 49-57. doi: 10.1111/nyas.12699
Peate, I. (2009). Menieres disease: Helping and understanding. British Journal of Healthcare
Assistants, 3(12), 578-581. doi: 10.12968/bjha.2009.3.12.45613
Simo, H. (2015). Menieres disease: Importance of socioeconomic and environmental factors.
American Journal of Otolaryngology, 36(3), 393-398. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2015.01.009