The key difference between Vertigo and Meniere’s disease is that the Vertigo is a symptom rather than a disease while Meniere’s disease is one pathological condition in which vertigo appears as a symptom.
Vertigo is the sense of rotation of the surrounding. It can be due to inner ear diseases or vestibular abnormalities. Also, Meniere’s disease is one cause of vertigo where recurrent attacks of vertigo last for few minutes to several hours.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Vertigo
3. What is Meniere’s Disease
4. Relationship Between Vertigo and Meniere’s Disease
5. Side by Side Comparison – Vertigo vs Meniere’s Disease in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is the sense of rotation of the surrounding. It can be due to inner ear diseases or vestibular abnormalities. Vertigo associates with otorrhea, otalgia, and hearing impairment when it is due to inner ear causes.
Vertigo due to vestibular causes is of three main types;
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Meniere’s disease
- Vertigo due to labyrinthine or central causes
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
This is due to the lack of otoliths, particularly in the posterior semicircular canal. The patient gets vertigo when turning in the bed or when getting up from the bed. It lasts for few seconds to few minutes. In BPPV, vertigo characteristically diminishes with repeated head movements.
The Hallpike’s test helps to confirm the diagnosis. The Epley manoeuvre can easily correct BPPV.
Vertigo due to labyrinthine or central causes
Vertigo due to labyrinthine causes usually fades away within about two weeks. During this time, giving labyrinthine sedatives can reduce the symptoms and discomfort. The failure of the symptoms to diminish after this period suggests a central cause which is usually associated with nystagmus. If vertigo persists, it is necessary to carry out vestibular rehabilitation in those patients with the help of physiotherapist or an audiological scientist.
What is Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s disease is characterized by recurrent attacks of vertigo lasting for few minutes to several hours. Usually, there is associated sensorineural deafness, tinnitus, feeling of fullness, loss of balance and vomiting. There is an increase in the content of endolymphatic fluid in the inner ear.
Figure 01: Meniere’s Disease
Treatment
- Vestibular sedatives such as cinnarizine
- Chemical labyrinthectomy if the disease is uncontrollable.
- Low salt diet, betahistine, and caffeine are useful preventive methods.
What is the Relationship Between Vertigo and Meniere’s Disease?
- Meniere’s disease is a cause of vertigo.
What is the Difference Between Vertigo and Meniere’s Disease?
Vertigo is the sense of rotation of the surrounding, and specifically, it is a disease symptom. Meniere’s disease, on the other hand, is characterized by recurrent attacks of vertigo lasting for few minutes to several hours. Moreover, in Meniere’s disease, vertigo manifests as the most prominent symptom. Tabulated below is a more detailed difference between Vertigo and Meniere’s disease, regarding the causes and the treatment of these two conditions.
Summary – Vertigo vs Meniere’s Disease
Vertigo is the sense of rotation of the surrounding. It can be due to inner ear diseases or vestibular abnormalities. When due to inner ear causes, vertigo is associated with otorrhea, otalgia and hearing impairment. Meniere’s disease is characterized by recurrent attacks of vertigo lasting for few minutes to several hours. Therefore, vertigo is the most prominent symptom of Meniere’s disease. Overall, this is the main difference between Vertigo and Meniere’s disease.
Reference:
1.Parveen Kumar. Kumar and Clark’s Clinical Medicine. Edited by Michael L Clark, 8th ed.
Image Courtesy:
1.’Blausen 0244 CochlearImplant 01’By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work, (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia