Meniere's Disease

Meniere’s disease is a condition that is thought to result from excess inner ear fluid in the cochlea. Patients typically present with episodes of fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, ear fullness, and vertigo. This type of vertigo is severe in nature and typically lasts several hours and can be associated with nausea and vomiting.

The diagnosis is typically based on the patient’s clinical presentation as well as documentation of fluctuating hearing levels and, more recently, with specific findings on electrocochleography.

Initial treatment includes a salt restricted diet (typically less than 2grms of salt per day) and placement on a low dose of diuretic medication. Some patients require more interventional treatment such as placement of an endolymphatic shunt; chemical ablation of that organ.

The prognosis of Meniere's disease can be quite variable. Most patients experience eventual stabilization of their symptoms, however, a minority will suffer from progression of their disease over many years.

Low Salt Diet

A low salt diet can help decrease symptoms of Meniere's Disease. A physician should always be consulted.

The purpose of this diet is to restrict salt (sodium chloride) in the diet as much as possible to assist in the management of Meniere’s Disease. You are encouraged to eat foods rich in natural potassium to prevent a deficiency of this most important mineral.

FOODS TO AVOID:

• Carbonated drinks such as Coca Cola, Pepsi, etc…
  
• Table salt, regular (salted) butter, and most types of cheese
  
• Canned meats, soups, or fish, salted meats, sausages, meat extracts, pickles, and scaled fish such as sardines, herring, anchovies, and caviar
  
• Potato chips, pretzels, and Obviously salty foods

FOODS THAT ARE ALLOWED:

• Cereals: All hot and cold cereals
  
• Grains: Pasta, rice and beans
  
• Breads: All kinds prepared without salt, and soda crackers without salt
  
• Fruits: All kinds, fresh and preserved, jams or jellies
  
• Meats: All fowls, all fresh meat and fish
  
• Meat Substitutes: Cottage cheese and eggs prepared without salt
  
• Soups: Vegetable soups without salt or salted butter (flavor with onions, Herbs, Parsley, Thyme, Bayleaf, etc…)
  
• Desserts: Cakes, pies, pastries and puddings, jello, tapioca (if no salt)
  
• Beverages: Cream, tea, coffee and coffee substitutes, cocoa, tomato and Fruit juices

FOODS TO EAT ONCE A DAY:

• Dried apricots, peaches or prunes, bananas, oranges, and tomatoes