Meniere's Disease is a rare disorder of the inner ear. The condition afflicts approximately 750,000 Americans, causing bouts of vertigo and other symptoms.
Doctors are still not sure exactly what causes Meniere's disease but suspect it may have something to do with a build-up of fluids in the inner ear throwing off one's equilibrium. Some data suggests further that the root cause of inner ear problems may be a misalignment of the upper cervical spine.
Signs and Symptoms of Meniere's Disease
Meniere's Disease can strike at any age, though most people who suffer from it begin experiencing symptoms between the ages of 40 and 60.
In the first phase, you may feel sick to your stomach, shaky, sweaty, have heart palpitations, or have a ringing in your ears.
In the second phase, attacks usually involve a bout of vertigo that lasts for a few minutes to a few hours. Vertigo is a loss of a sense of balance and coordination and feels as though you (or the room you're in) are spinning uncontrollably. This out-of-control feeling can spike anxiety, and cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, inability to focus the eyes, and sensitivity to sound.
When having an attack of vertigo, it is dangerous to try and stand, walk, or do any tasks as you are at risk of falling and/or dropping things. The best thing you can do at the time sits still and wait for the feeling to pass.
Generally, though traumatic, Meniere's disease is not fatal. As the disease progresses to the third phase, the most serious consequence is that it may cause hearing loss. Treatment may help prevent this.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Plays a Role in Meniere's Disease
The upper cervical spine is made up of the top seven vertebrae, which sit close to where the brain stem connects to the spinal cord. This is also close to the eustachian tubes and tiny vessels that go to the inner ear.
When the vertebrae are misaligned, it may cause inflammation and swelling. This may compress those tiny tubes and vessels, impeding drainage and airflow through the inner ear and allowing fluids to build.
Adjusting the vertebrae and restoring proper alignment may allow the tubes and vessels to function properly, reducing symptoms and attacks for people with Meniere’s disease.
How We Treat Meniere’s Disease
Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is an upper cervical specialist trained in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. Blair practitioners differ from traditional chiropractors because they make use of cutting-edge technology to better visualize and calculate the angles of your spine. They are also expertly trained to use low-force manipulations that are gentle and comfortable for the patient, rather than sudden and jarring twists and snaps.
Dr. Elder's three-step treatment plan begins with advanced diagnostic 3D imaging technology in a consultation. Once he has pinpointed the problem, he can move on to the second step and restore spinal alignment with gentle pressure. Proper alignment jumpstarts the body's healing processes, which reduce inflammation, restore nerve function, and boost the immune system.
The final step is adding regular chiropractic check-ups to your healthcare routine. That way, Dr. Elder can ensure your spine remains in a healthy state and make corrections when needed before they exacerbate problems.
If you have Meniere's disease, Dr. Elder understands how frustrating and distressing it can be and he wants to help. Call for a consultation to see if chiropractic care may be right for you. Dr. Elder's area of coverage includes Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.