In this study, 243 participants underwent a few examinations and results were collected into a database. Vertigo attacks were experienced in 72% of the patients with Meniere's disease. It correlated with visually provoked vertigo, concluding that vertigo attacks or "drop attacks" are common in Meniere's disease patients. During an attack the proper procedures would be to lie down on a firm surface and stay as motionless as possible, with your eyes open. It is recommended to stay in this position until the severe vertigo passes, and then get up slowly. .
There are many theories that exist about what happens to cause Ménière's disease, but there's no definite answer. Some researchers think that Ménière's disease is the result of constrictions in blood vessels, similar to those that cause migraine headaches. Others think Ménière's disease could be a consequence of viral infections, allergies, or autoimmune reactions. Radtke et al. (2002) condoned a study with supporting evidence from Prosper Meniere that Meniere's disease may have a connection to with migraines. Studies of the prevalence of migraine in Meniere's disease produced conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to determine the lifetime prevalence of migraine in patients with Meniere's disease compared to sex and age. The study consist of seventy-eight patients; forty women and thirty-eight men; all ranging from ages 29-81. Patients were questioned in detail about headaches or other migraine symptoms. The results from the study show a significantly higher lifetime occurrence of migraine in patients with Meniere's disease. Because Ménière's disease appears to run in families, it could also be the result of genetic variations that cause abnormalities in the volume or regulation of endolymph fluid.
The damage that is caused by Meniere's disease is hair cells death and mechanical changes to the ear.
