Progression of Symptoms of Dizziness in Ménière's Disease

Abstract

Ménière's disease (MD) is an idiopathic syndrome of endolymphatic hydrops. For clinical purposes, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) criteria, the triad of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus, are typically used to diagnose MD.1,2 Tinnitus can be replaced by a sense of aural fullness.1 Vertigo has been reported to be the most disturbing of these symptoms owing to its unpredictable nature.3 It also has a greater impact on quality of life than tinnitus and hearing loss, which, in turn, have a greater psychosocial impact.4 Vertigo attacks vary in severity, last from several minutes to several hours, and are often accompanied by nausea.2