Meniere's disease usually affects one ear but in 30% of cases both ears may be affected eventually (1). The hallmark of the condition is its fluctuating and episodic nature. Typical clinical features of the disease include:
Attacks occur intermittently, often in clusters. Clusters may be widely separated, especially in the early stages of the disease. An attack may occur suddenly and can arise daily or as infrequently as once a year (2)
During initial stages of the disease vestibular and cochlear conditions may occur in isolation but with time the symptoms become established (patients complaining of a long standing history of recurrent isolated vertigo without cochlear symptoms are unlikely to be Meniere's patients)
Some patients may experience sudden drop attacks, or Tumarkin attacks
Meniere’s disease usually “burns itself out” after about 5-15 years. Although the episodes of vertigo ceases, the patient may experience a constant mild disequilibrium, tinnitus, and moderate (but not complete) unilateral hearing loss (2)
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