This article was sent in by Jackie J. Jackie was a member of the Meniere's Life List, though this list is no longer around. She did some incredible research for helpful and healthful information.
Jackie has a bilateral vestibular disorder since 1989 and ME/CFS since 1992. At first she was diagnosed with Menieres but since that time she has been told that she has atypical Menieres which is now thought to be 'migraine equivalent' - research is still going on regarding this illness.
Before becoming disabled by both illnesses together she worked as a Podiatrist for many years with the NHS in England, UK. She lives in a town in the UK county of Shropshire and has been unable to work for the past six years. She has an interest in finding out as much as she can about both illnesses and sharing with others the information gathered. She was born in England in 1949 and she is divorced with one son.
Thank you Jackie for sharing your wealth of information.
One of the characteristics of
Meniere's Disease is the
presence of
endolymphatic hydrops. This is the accumulation of fluid in a
part of the
inner ear called the endolymphatic sac, and the word hydrops just means
excessive fluid. One of the most widely prescribed medicines
to treat
Menieres is the class of drug called diuretics, also known as 'water
tablets
', which reduce the amount of fluid in the body cells. They
are commonly
prescribed along with other drugs such as antihistamines and are just
part
of the drug treatment aimed at alleviating the symptoms of Menieres
Disease - there is no cure for Menieres Disease but there are several
ways
of treating it. The aim of the diuretic treatment is to
reduce the
production of fluid accumulation in the body and relieve the pressure
that
builds up in the inner ear itself.
Diuretics act on the kidneys to increase the amount of fluid
that is
excreted by the body. They can be divided into four types:
Thiazide drugs
Loop Diuretic drugs
Potassium-sparing drugs
Other diuretic drugs
Most drugs have side-effects and diuretics are no exception.
The most
common effects are those of potassium loss over a period of time, and
gastro-intestinal upsets which in many cases may be
short-lived. The
advantages of such treatment have to be weighed against the
disadvantages of
the illness itself.
THIAZIDES
Those most often prescribed for Menieres are the thiazides such as
Bendrofluazide /Bendroflumethazide , Chlorothioazide, Chlortalidone
(Hygroton), Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), Indapamide (Natrilix) and
Metolazone
(Metanix 5).
Thiazides are effective at low doses.
They lower blood pressure too by reducing blood volume and
dilating blood
vessels - this can cause LIGHT-HEADEDNESS due to a drop in blood
pressure.
Another occasional side-effect is that uric acid can be increased
leading to
the formation of uric acid crystals which can be deposited in joints
causing
the painful condition of gout. The drug is sometimes avoided
in diabetics
due to the diabetes being more difficult to control. Also
photosensitivity
reactions have been reported. Thiazides can also cause
excessive loss of
potassium from the body and regular blood tests are used to measure the
amount of potassium so that it can be corrected by a potassium
supplement or
the drug may be changed for a potassium-sparing one.
LOOP DIURETICS
These are named due to their action on a part of the kidney
called the
loop
of the nephron (loop of Henle). The most common ones are
Bumetanide
(Burinex), Furosemide (Lasix), and Torasemide (Torem).
These drugs are more powerful than thiazides and cause the production of
urine to increase considerably. As well as potassium loss
they can also
cause NAUSEA, all three of the drugs mentioned here can cause TINNITUS
and
Bumetanide has been linked with the side-effect of myalgia (muscle
pain).
POTASSIUM-SPARING DIURETICS
Common ones are Amiloride, Triamterine (Dytac), and Spironolactone
(Aldactone). They are mostly mild diuretics - side-effects
are digestive
disturbances such as flatulence (gas), NAUSEA, dry mouth and rashes.
However, recent information has shown that spironolactone can cause
tumours,
usually benign breast tumours and its use is recommended only if the
benefits outweigh the risks.
OTHER DIURETIC DRUGS
Mild diuretics such as Acetazolamide (a sulphonamide) and Mannitol are
used
occasionally but not often in Menieres Disease.
Diuretics can also be used in combination such as Dyazide, which is a
combination of Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterine (potassium sparing).
POTASSIUM LOSS
The signs of this are confusion, weakness, and in rare cases an abnormal
heart rhythm, but is usually without symptoms unless severe.
It is
important to get the blood checked regularly for signs of low potassium
levels. Also listed below are some foods that contain
potassium so that an
intake of these might counteract potassium loss.
FOODS CONTAINING POTASSIUM:
PULSES
Beans - red kidney, haricot, flageolet, borlotti, broad beans, lentils,
barley, oats, rye.
FRUIT AND NUTS
Blackcurrant, chestnut, date, fig, grape and raisin, oranges, pineapple,
bananas.
SALAD VEGETABLES
Celery, lettuce.
OTHER VEGETABLES
Asparagus, aubergine (eggplant), fennel, mushroom, seaweed.
HERBS
Chive and spring onion.
SPICES AND SEEDS
Horseradish
Vinegar also contains potassium, but dairy products, fish and meat
contain
none.
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