Cause
The cause of
is not known, but it may be related
to a fluid imbalance in the inner ear.
The
contains a fluid called endolymph. It is thought that, in Ménière's
disease, too much of this fluid builds up in the inner ear. The resulting
pressure affects the
sensory systems in the inner ear that help maintain
balance. This leads to the symptoms of
(ringing in the ears), hearing loss,
(spinning sensation), and pressure or fullness
in the ear.
Little is known about the cause of endolymph fluid
buildup. It may be that too much fluid is produced or that the fluid does not
properly drain from the inner ear, or it may be a combination of the
two.