Meniere's Disease Natural Remedies

Meniere's disease affects your inner ear and is characterized by unusual sensory perceptions, vertigo, hearing loss, a sense of pressure in the ear and tinnitus. This disease usually affects middle-aged individuals, and the severity of symptoms varies from one person to the next. The causes of Meniere's disease are not fully known, but the problem lies in the development of excessive fluid in your inner ear. Symptoms may occur in one or both ears. There are natural remedies that can help provide some relief from Meniere's disease symptoms.

Diagnosis

If you suspect that you have Meniere's disease, consult a physician to have your hearing tested. The doctor will check to see if you have experienced any hearing loss and will assess your inner ear. You may need to visit an ear, nose and throat specialist or an otolaryngologist for hearing tests. Your visit will entail a discussion about any issues with vertigo, ringing in your ears (tinnitus) and a full medical history to determine if you have Meniere's disease. Tests may include a hearing test to detect different sounds and an electronystagmography examination to observe your eye movements and to detect any balance problems.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes are necessary to help reduce symptoms associated with Meniere's disease. First, vertigo is a spinning sensation that can make you feel dizzy; sit or lie down until the vertigo subsides. Avoid trying to read, watch television and stay away from bright lights to keep your vertigo symptoms to a minimum. Vertigo may cause you to lose your balance and fall, so be extra careful when walking and keep a cane on hand for additional support and stability when symptoms occur. Do not drive while you are experiencing vertigo. Pull the vehicle over if you begin to experience vertigo symptoms and wait until symptoms subside before continuing to drive. If your symptoms are severe and you have frequent bouts of vertigo, you may want to avoid driving entirely.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba can be used to manage the symptoms associated with Meniere's disease. This herb promotes proper circulatory functioning and helps keep your blood vessels protected. Consuming ginkgo biloba may improve blood flow to your brain and cognitive functioning. This herb also helps to diminish symptoms associated with tinnitus and vertigo as well. It can take four to six weeks to note the benefits associated with ginkgo biloba; take 120 mg of ginkgo biloba a day in divided doses.

Side effects may include rash, headaches and gastrointestinal upset. Pregnant women and breastfeeding females should not use ginkgo biloba. Stop using ginkgo three days before surgery to reduce any risks associated with excessive bleeding. Ginkgo biloba may interfere with certain medications like carbamazepine, valproic acid, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, escitalopram and phenelzine. It may also interfere with medications like nifedipine, aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, heparin, ticlopidine, ibuprofen, thiazide diuretics and trazadole. Diabetics should speak with a doctor before taking ginkgo biloba because it can increase insulin levels in the blood.

Rosemary

In "Herbal Medicines for Common Ailments: A Quick Reference Guide," Dr. Rene M. Tshiteya identifies rosemary as a treatment for tinnitus. Rosemary helps to improve circulatory and cognitive processes. Take 4 to 6 g of dried rosemary and brew it in 2 cups of hot water for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and consume 3 cups a day to improve your circulatory processes and tinnitus.

Possible side effects include nausea and vomiting, and in extreme cases, coma and pulmonary edema can result. Pregnant women may miscarry if using rosemary, and breastfeeding females should also avoid the herb. If you have Crohn's disease, hypertension, ulcers or ulcerative colitis, avoid consuming rosemary. Do not consume rosemary oil orally because it is toxic. Rosemary can interact with warfarin, clopidogrel, aspirin, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, fosinopril, diuretics like furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide, lithium and diabetic medications.