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Diet/Lifestyle Changes and Medical Therapy

Ménière's disease symptoms are likely caused by too much fluid in the inner ear. That’s why doctors often prescribe diet/lifestyle changes and medications to help reduce fluid and control your Ménière's disease symptoms.

This low-risk Ménière's disease therapy is usually prescribed before other treatments. It may include a combination of:

• A low-sodium diet^1-3
• Diuretic therapy and fluid intake regulation^1-3
• Avoiding stress, tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine^1-3
• Prescription medications^1-3

Be sure to talk to your doctor about the potential benefits, risks, and side effects of any Ménière's disease treatment. Drugs can cause side effects or affect other medications that you may be using for unrelated reasons.

Low-Sodium Diet

In Ménière's disease patients, the inner ear is damaged and very sensitive to the amount of sodium in your blood. Salt also causes the body to retain more fluid, which is contradictory to the theory of Ménière's disease treatment.

While we do need some salt in our diet, most of us consume considerably more salt than we actually need. Your doctor can advise you on how much you should reduce your salt intake to help control your Ménière's disease.

Pre-made foods, drinks, and restaurant items are often high in salt, including MSG (monosodium glutamate, a form of salt). Be sure to read nutrition labels for salt content and ask restaurants about preparing your meal with less salt.
Low-sodium recipes

Diuretic Therapy and Fluid Intake Regulation

Diuretics (“water pills”) reduce the overall amount of salt and fluid in your body. They are often prescribed for Ménière's disease because people with Ménière's disease have too much fluid in the inner ear. Diuretics increase the water in your urine, which causes you to lose certain minerals and electrolytes. You may need extra fruits and vegetables or vitamin supplements to make up for this loss.

Fluid intake regulation is related to diuretic therapy for Ménière's disease. Diuretics only work if there is enough water in the body. Plus, we all need to consume enough fluid, especially water, for proper kidney function. This is why your doctor will carefully manage your fluid intake and diuretic therapy to help control your Ménière's disease.^1-3

Avoiding Tobacco, Alcohol, and Caffeine

Nicotine and caffeine are physical stimulants, while alcohol is a depressant. People with Ménière's disease are generally advised to avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine because they may make your Ménière's disease symptoms worse.^1-3

Stress Management

Trying to manage stress is always a good idea. But it’s especially important when you have a chronic illness such as Ménière's disease.^1-3 Many Ménière's disease patients report that stressful events are a factor in triggering a vertigo attack. And the unpredictability of these attacks causes more stress and anxiety.

Patients with active Ménière's disease can have poor quality of life,⁴ not knowing when a vertigo attack will occur and finding it difficult to function in daily life. Sometimes friends and family members may not understand because you don't "look" sick. This can make Ménière's disease patients feel isolated and clinically depressed. 

Ask your doctor about ways to manage stress and cope with Ménière's disease. This may include meditation and relaxation techniques, professional counseling, and anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications.

Prescription Medications

In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, your doctor may prescribe medicines such as steroids, antidepressants, antihistamines, anti-vertigo and vasoactive drugs to help manage your Ménière's disease symptoms.^1-3

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• Treatment Options for Ménière's Disease
• Diet/Lifestyle and Medical Therapy
• Meniett Therapy
• Surgical or Destructive Therapy
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