Get the book: Dear Meniere’s – Letters & Art: A Global Meniere’s Project. An insightful and revealing collection of letters and art about the journey of people living with Ménière’s disease. Take a look inside and see why it is the most liveable disease that no doctor wants, and why many celebrities and people are unable to continue in their careers.
Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can cause a range of symptoms, including vertigo , hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear. The exact cause of Meniere’s disease is not known, but it is thought to be related to changes in fluid levels in the inner ear. And while there is no cure, there are many treatments that may help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Since symptoms vary from person to person, it’s best to find what works best for you.
A low-salt diet may help reduce fluid retention in the body, which can alleviate some of the pressure in the inner ear that contributes to Meniere’s symptoms.
Also, certain foods and drinks, such as caffeine and alcohol, can trigger Meniere’s symptoms. Avoiding these triggers and following a low-salt diet may help reduce symptoms and help you feel better.
It’s important to find out what your specific triggers may be. Keeping a symptom journal that includes environmental factors, such as pollen or air quality alerts, food and drink you have consumed and any products you may have used on your skin/hair is extremely beneficial. I was able to identify my triggers this way. Pollen levels are a huge trigger for me. You may also want to undergo allergy testing to zero in on any issues.
I’ve been trying to send my Meniere’s into remission and have tried an extensive list of treatments. Here I list what I’ve tried and what works best for me. Click on specific items for more details (if applicable). Items with check marks work for me, items with question marks, I’m not certain about and items with warning symbols do not.
There are many famous people and celebrities with Meniere’s. They include Emily Dickinson, Vincent Van Gogh, Peggy Lee, Les Paul, naval aviator, test pilot, and astronaut Alan Shepard, professional golfer Tim Conley, actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, Jesse J, Dana White, Ryan Adams and Huey Lewis.
Kristin Chenoweth talks about her experience with Meniere’s Disease in an article on the Future of Personal Health website.
Huey Lewis discusses his battle with the illness in an article on the British news site Express