The vestibular condition called Meniere’s disease has its effect on the inner part of the ear. It is accompanied by:
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- Ringing in the ear called tinnitus
- Vertigo – a false sensation of movement
- Temporary hearing loss
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
If Meniere’s disease is severe enough, it can cause one to have a drop attack, which means falling down as a result of a sudden, severe vertigo bout. It can come about at any age but is most commonly seen at 40 to 60 years old. Approximately 615,000 of those living in the USA have Meniere’s, with approximately 45,500 new cases being diagnosed each year.
The Underlying Cause of Meniere’s Disease
It was previously believed Meniere’s occurred when fluid builds up within the ear causing the membranes to burst. New research, however, has brought more information to light. Dr. Michael Burcon, an upper cervical chiropractor, performed a number of studies and discovered the problem lies, not with the inner ear, but with neck injuries due to whiplash and similar trauma. These create a lesion on the Eustachian tube, not allowing the inner ear to drain properly.
One reason there was such confusion about the proper cause of this condition has to do with the fact that it can take as long as 15 years for the problem in the neck to manifest itself. This led to doctors and researchers focusing on the ear, a more directly related part of the body. Many times, patients failed to mention the trauma endured because it happened so long ago. As a result, no one connected these injuries to the condition.
Correcting Neck Misalignments Helps Meniere’s Patients
Thanks to Dr. Burcon’s research, we now examine a patient’s neck for any misalignment that may be causing these symptoms. If a misalignment is found, we employ a gentle method to help realign the bones of the neck without undue force.
This research shows the importance of seeking professional care after enduring any kind of trauma to the head or neck. For those who have experienced trauma years ago, the good news is that by correcting the underlying problem, much of the damage can still be helped, if not reversed.
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