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Home >
Research Department >
Health
Concerns Articles >
Meniere's Disease |
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Health
Concerns Articles |
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MENIERE'S
DISEASE
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.) |
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BALANCE: TIPPING
THE SCALES |
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Meniere's disease
affects balance in
addition to mood and
often the ability to
cope day to day. |
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Ringing in
the ears, nausea, vomiting,
depression, anxiety - some
of the symptoms typical of
Meniere's disease.
Nutritional supplements and
herbs can help you to
restore the balance in your
life... |
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This often mysterious
illness can at times become
debilitating due to the
vertigo and nausea that it
produces in those afflicted
with it. While
conven-tional treatments
focus primarily on
symptomatic relief, many
nutritional supplements and
herbs can help to get to the
root of the problem. |
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Meniere’s disease is an
inner ear condition that is
characterized by episodes of
hearing loss, dizziness and
ringing in the ears.
Nausea, vomiting and a
feeling of pressure within
the ear may also occur. The
exact cause is unknown.
Researchers postulate
Meniere’s disease may be due
to increased fluid volume in
the inner ear or dental and
jaw problems. Attacks can
be triggered by stress,
decreased circulation to the
ear, toxin accumulation or
food sensitivities.
Conventional treatment of
Meniere’s involves a variety
of medications.
Promethazine is used to
treat nausea and vertigo.
Diuretics may be used to
decrease fluid
accumulation. Valium is
often used to lessen anxiety
and sedate the balance
system. Prescriptions for
antihistamines, steroids or
calcium channel blockers may
also be used. Surgical
procedures are reserved for
severe cases. Some
techniques destroy the
balance centre while others
physical drain the ear’s
fluid. |
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What you can do if
you have MENIERE'S
DISEASE: |
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TAKE
SUPPLEMENTS
TO ENHANCE
CIRCULATION;
GINKGO,
COQ10,
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SUPPORT YOUR
MOOD WITH
ST. JOHN'S
WORT AND
MELATONIN. |
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CONTROL
NAUSEA AND
VOMITING
WITH GINGER. |
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EAT PLENTY
OF FRUITS
AND
VEGETABLES. |
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TAKE THE
MINERAL
MANGANESE;
A DEFICIENCY
IN IT CAN
AGGRAVATE
THE ONSET OF
MENIERE'S. |
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DO NOT DRINK
COFFEE, TEA,
OR COLAS;
THE CAFFEINE
THEY CONTAIN
CAN
CONSTRICT
BLOOD
VESSELS AND
REDUCE
CIRCULATION. |
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SUPPORT
HEALTHY
BRAIN
FUNCTION
WITH
LECITHIN AND
PHOSPHATIDYL
SERINE. |
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Nutritional support for
Meniere’s can include
several nutritional
supplements:
Manganese. Clinical
studies have shown that a
deficiency in this vital
trace mineral plays a role
in the onset of Meniere’s
disease. Since it is often
difficult to get from the
diet, supplementation is
usually the only practical
route for ingesting a
significant enough dosage
for a therapeutic effect
Ginkgo. This herb
helps to improve circulation
through small blood
vessels. Poor circulation
to the ear and the head play
a role in the often
debilitating symptoms of
Meniere’s. |
CoQ10 helps to
improve circulation and
oxygen utilization.
B complex. These
vitamins are crucial for
your body to cope with
stress effectively. Stress
can play a role in the onset
of a Meniere’s attack.
Ginger. This herb’s
nausea fighting effects are
widely known. Use it at the
onset of an attack to settle
the stomach.
St. John’s wort. The
frustration of dealing with
a potentially debilitating
illness like Meniere’s can
often lead to subsequent
depression. St. John’s wort
has been clinically proven
to reduce anxiety and
elevate mood.
Lecithin or Phosphatidly
Serine both help to
optimize neurotransmitter
production and brain & nerve
health.
Stress reduction is an
important part of preventing
Meniere’s attacks. To
decrease symptoms during an
attack, lie with the
unaffected ear against the
floor and look in the
direction of the affected
ear. To decrease vertigo
restrict your head movement
and look at a stationary
object a comfortable
distance away from you.
Increase circulation to the
affected ear by massaging
the head and ears.
Following a hypoglycemic
diet helps some individuals
because it keeps insulin
levels in check. High
insulin levels impair
circulation. Dietary
changes should also support
the cardiovascular system so
that vessels remain
healthy. Avoid the
following things; saturated
fats, fried foods, salt,
monosodium glutamate,
alcohol, sugar and
caffeine. Avoid any foods
that you are sensitive to.
Eat foods that are high in B
vitamins because they help
with stress. For example
eat whole grains, green
vegetables, white beans and
nutritional yeast. Vitamin
C and bioflavinoids are
antioxidants, which protect
the vessels. Eat fresh
fruits and vegetables
especially green, leafy
vegetables, citrus fruits,
kiwis, currants, and dark
coloured berries.
The following list of
supplements can be used for
Meniere’s disease. Adult
doses are given.
(CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).
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SUPPLEMENT |
DOSAGE |
THERAPEUTIC
EFFECT |
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ST, JOHN'S WORT |
300mg 1-2 times
daily |
Elevates mood and
reduces anxiety. |
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MELATONIN |
1-3mg daily before
bed. |
Improves sleep and
elevates mood. |
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GINGER |
As directed. |
Reduces nausea and
vomiting. |
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GINKGO |
120-240mg daily |
Improves
circulation. |
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Manganese |
5mg
daily |
Deficiency can lead
to Meniere’s
disease. Take away
from calcium. |
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Vitamin B complex
plus B3 and B6 |
50mg
daily plus B3 100mg
twice daily and B6
100mg twice daily
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B
vitamins support the
nervous system. B3
improves
circulation.
Flushing is a side
effect of niacin
use. Do not use
niacin if you have
hypertension, liver
disease or gout. B6
reduces fluid
retention. |
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Chromium picolinate |
200mcg daily |
Individuals with
Meniere’s often have
high blood sugar
levels. |
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Coenzyme Q10 |
100mg
daily |
Improves
circulation. |
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Also
beneficial for
MENIERE'S RELIEF: |
Multivitamins,
vitamin C,
vitamin E,
essential
fatty acids,
magnesium,
lecithin,
butcher’s
broom,
ginger,
gingko
biloba and
homeopathic
remedies. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2012. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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