As anyone who has ever experienced problems with hearing loss can attest, it can be one of the most frustrating and debilitating conditions a person can experience. As a result, more and more research has been conducted in recent years to find out not only the causes of hearing issues, but how to prevent and hopefully have a cure for those who deal with these conditions. Some of the most promising research has been conducted at the University of Colorado, where researchers believe they have found not only what causes Meniere’s disease, but also how to treat it in an effective manner for most patients.
What is Meniere’s Disease?
According to University of Colorado Menieres researchers, Meniere’s disease is a disorder resulting in numerous violent attacks of dizziness, ear ringing, and hearing loss that can last for several hours and eventually cause permanent deafness in the affected ear. With anywhere from 3-5 million people suffering from this disorder, researchers are moving quickly to find ways to treat it and eliminate it entirely.
What Causes This Disorder?
University of Colorado Menieres researchers, based on years of studying patients as well as analyzing large amounts of data, believe they may finally know what causes this extremely debilitating disorder. Based on their results, they believe the disorder is caused by a combination of two major factors, which are:
–Malformation of inner ear
–Risk factors such as smoking, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea
Based on their findings, university scientists feel that as fluid begins to build up inside the inner ear, a pressure-regulation problem is created. As a result, this lowers blood flow to the brain and ear, which in many ways resembles that which occurs in stroke victims. However, while the fluctuations are not enough to cause a stroke, they are strong enough to trigger attacks of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
Treating Meniere’s Disease
While researchers have made great strides in learning what may cause Meniere’s disease, University of Colorado Menieres scientists agree there is still much work to be done when it comes to treatment options. Some researchers believe many medicines now used to treat strokes or migraine headaches may be used effectively against Meniere’s disease, but many clinical trials will need to be conducted to see if this is a viable option. In the meantime, patients who have this disorder may benefit by using treatment options usually applied to sleep apnea, in addition to audio therapies used to lessen the effects of tinnitus. While major treatment options may still be years away, there is no doubt this research represents a tremendous breakthrough.
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