Meniere’s Disease DNA Testing – Looking For Causes
There has been far too little “official” research into root causes and cures for Meniere’s Disease. In this corporate profit driven age the focus is always on “treatments” for the resulting symptoms. But we saw this today on Medstar Television’s website and had to spread the word. WRITTEN BY KRISTI RUNYON
MONDAY, 15 MARCH 2010 11:08
Meniere’s Disease DNA Testing
Looking for a Cause
The exact cause of Meniere’s disease isn’t known. Researchers believe the symptoms may occur when fluid from one part of the inner ear mixes with another inner ear fluid. Rick Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., Neurotologist with the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, CA, says some patients report having a cold, sinus infection or some other illness prior to the onset of symptoms.
Meniere’s also tends to run in families, so there may be some genetic link to the disease. Researchers at the House Ear Institute are now looking for people with Meniere’s disease who are willing to submit saliva samples for DNA analysis.
Investigators will compare the genome from Meniere’s patients against those without the disease and look for differences in DNA. Friedman says finding those differences may provide clues that lead to a better understanding of Meniere’s and point the way for more effective treatment.
Currently, more than 700 patients have volunteered for the study. Patients from around the world may participate. For information or to find out how to become involved in the Meniere’s DNA study, call the House Ear Institute at (213) 483-4431, or visit their website at http://www.hei.org/research/genetics/menieres.html
Email us at meniereshelp@gmail.com
6 replies on “Meniere’s Disease DNA Testing”
I was diagnoised in 1980’s with Meniere’s Disease. By the time I was diagnoised my hearing had dropped to the level that the audiologist said that I was “very visual” as I was already pretty much totally deaf in my left ear and this was attacking my right. My Dr. at that time was Dr.Doby. He was an excellant Dr. He did massive testing on me and that is whom diagnoised me. He then started me on a low sodium diet of 900 mg a day, a diuretic, potassim, prednisone and due to the fact that the diuretic stripped my me of potassium I had to take a potassium sumplement and had to have my blood checked regularly. I went to having almost having no hearing to regaining all the hearing I had lost in my right ear. Then I went into remission. I went back to Dr Doby and he ended up leaving the hospital to go to another institure to do research for hearing and the staff he that worked with him went with him. After regaining my hearing I started cheating on my diet. He stated that he could understand why I started to cheat on my low sodim diet as it is difficult to stay on but warned me also. I already had begged him off my prednisone earlier and he was giving me a nasal spray with prenisone warning me if I started to get worse I would have to go back on the prednisone. I stayed in remission until the mid 2000 say about 2004 or about that time. What I should of done is immediately start watching my salt intake but I didn’t. Well what I should of done is never go off the diet. Now I am doing that I have started back on the low sodium diet as of just lately. I am consulting with my Dr to see how to proceed with the rest as I am having a hard time taking diurectics right now. I am also going to go back to a nutritional counsulor. I am taking meds to try to control the vertigo, etc. and that is Topamax also used for other issues. I currently have a dehydration problem and that is why I am having a hard time with the diurectics. I am writing this in order to help someone else as Dr. Doby saved my hearing and if I would of stuck to the program I still would have all of my hearing in my right ear and I am hoping I can recover it only time will tell. Good luck everyone and maybe this can help someone else as it did and hopefully will again work for me. Caution you must stay at 900 mg and below of salt intake which is very difficult.
Thanks for the comment Laurie, I noticed one good point that I think people should take note of.Your doctor put you on potassium while on the diuretic. To my knowledge many doctors don’t do this, and they should. Diuretics can deplete potassium levels in the body, causing similar symptoms to meniere’s itself.
Either supplementing with potassium (as your doctor did) or making sure you eat plenty of potassium rich food such as bananas or potatoes is important.
I have read the above entry. I was diagnosed last year with atypical Menier’s disease. I had two attacks of vetigo early on but none since. Does everyone with Menier’s have vertigo?
About the low salt diet. How do people “eat out” and control their salt level? We live in a rural area and drive long distances for doctors and shopping. I am not a salt person and have no trouble reducing salt when eating in.
Lynne
my mom has this disease i would like to kmow what can the food can she eat or what can de diet can she make it thank you …..and what can the tea and vitamin she on medication but if ypou can help me with something else thank you
Saw audio on u tube about a guy with meniers and took supliments .what kind and where. Thank you Brian
Hi Brian,
Please email us at meniereshelp@gmail.com and we will help out best we can