Coeliac disease and Ménière's disease

[Mia1057]

Hi everyone, after months of vertigo and collapsing they have diagnosed Ménière's disease. Does anyone know if this has any link to CD. I know that it has a link to hypothyroidism which I have.

[Penel]

Sorry to hear about this, it must have made life difficult for you.

If no one has personal experience of this, have a look on PubMed site for info on the connection with CD, there does seem to be a connection.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/222...

[Hidden]

not seen anything on link to cd - husband has menieres and hypothyroidism. He is prescribed Bendroflumethiazide which has made a massive difference. It is a diuretic which selectively reduces the pressure in the vestibular canals. I used to have bowls in every room for throwing up into and carried sick bags everywhere we went and don't do that anymore.

[Irene Administrator]

Mia1057 - did they check into the possibility of Gluten Ataxia during the diagnosis process?

[Mia1057]

Yes they have looked at everything. I will check with my doctor re the medicine that Lois suggested. So far all I have been offered is lifestyle and diet change advice.

[Hidden]

Hi Mia, firstly I am really sorry so poor you. Now this has come up before on Celiac.com and in reply someone posted this link showing a link between gluten sensitivity and meniere's

menieresfoundation.org/trea...

Here's the link to the question on Celiac.com, it's quite sad reading but they have both:

celiac.com/gluten-free/topi...

I'd look at lemon bioflavonoids and make sure that you're not deficient in any vitamins or minerals, you can ask your Dr for a full blood screen to ascertain this. And good luck.

[AdvanceNutrition]

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have seen this condition as a nutritionist and will summarise some information for you.

Ménière's disease

Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. It is characterised by episodes of vertigo, low pitched tinnitus, and hearing loss. The hearing loss has a fluctuating then permanent nature, meaning that it comes and goes, alternating between ears for some time, then becomes permanent with no return to normal function. It is named after the French physician Prosper Ménière, who, in an article published in 1861, first reported that vertigo was caused by inner ear disorders. The condition affects people differently; it can range in intensity from being a mild annoyance to a chronic, lifelong disability.

On a dietary level, there is some evidence that reducing intake of sodium (salt) may help. For some people, reducing alcohol, caffeine, and/or avoiding nicotine may be helpful. Stress has also been shown to make the symptoms associated with Ménière's worse.

Allergy, granulomatous disorders, and perilymphatic dynamics are, at times, indicated as possible different causes of the triad of Ménière's syndrome.

On a dietary level, there is some evidence that reducing intake of sodium (salt) may help. For some people, reducing alcohol, caffeine, and/or avoiding nicotine may be helpful. Stress has also been shown to make the symptoms associated with Ménière's worse.

Allergy, granulomatous disorders, and perilymphatic dynamics are, at times, indicated as possible different causes of the triad of Ménière's syndrome.

There is a belief that these agents are also causative factors in Ménière's:

• Aspartame

• MSG, HVP, Cysteine

• HSV-1 virus (may or may not be a cause)

• Food allergies (probable cause) - this could of course include gluten

"Recently, attention has been mainly focussed on the immunologic function of the endolymphatic sac; thus, immune disease may contribute to a substantial percentage of Meniere's disease. However, for the most part, the underlying cause of Meniere's disease is unknown. It is most often attributed to viral infections of the inner ear, head injury, a hereditary predisposition, and allergy." tinyurl.com/5tqkbnw

Therefore, identifying and avoiding foods to which one has an intolerance would be one approach to help address Meniere’s.

Altered micro-circulation may also be an issue in Ménière's:

• Gussen R. Vascular Mechanisms in Meniere's Disease. Theoretical Considerations. Arch Otolaryngol. 1982;108(9):544-549. tinyurl.com/6982l22

• Dyckman DJ, Sauder CL, & Ray CA. Glycerol-induced fluid shifts attenuate the vestibulosympathetic reflex in humans. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, Mar 2011; 300: R630 - R634. tinyurl.com/6237qv7

Information about Beta histine

Beta histine hydrochloride (brand names Serc, Betaserc) is an antivertigo drug. It was first registered in Europe in 1970 for the treatment of Ménière's disease. It is commonly prescribed to patients with balance disorders or to alleviate vertigo symptoms associated with Ménière's disease.

Betahistine chemically is 2-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]pyridine, and is formulated as the dihydrochloride salt. Its structure closely resembles that of phenethylamine and histamine.

Betahistine has a very strong affinity as an antagonist for histamine H3 receptors and a weak affinity as an agonist for histamine H1 receptors. Betahistine seems to dilate the blood vessels within the middle ear which can relieve pressure from excess fluid and act on the smooth muscle.

Betahistine has two modes of action. Primarily, it has a direct stimulating (agonistic) effect on H1 receptors located on blood vessels in the inner ear. This gives rise to local vasodilation and increased permeability, which helps to reverse the underlying problem of endolymphatic hydrops. In addition, betahistine has a powerful antagonistic effects at H3 receptors, and increases the levels of neurotransmitters released from the nerve endings. This is thought to have two consequences;

• The increased amounts of histamine released from histaminergic nerve endings can stimulate H1 receptors, thus augmenting the direct agonistic effects of betahistine on these receptors. This explains the potent vasodilatory effects of betahistine in the inner ear, which are well documented.

• It is postulated that betahistine increases the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin in the brainstem, which inhibits the activity of vestibular nuclei.

Betahistine is available in 8 mg, 16 mg, and 24 mg tablets.

Side effects may include these: Headache; Low level of gastric side effects; No significant antidopaminergic effects, rather dopaminergic effects due to H3 antagonism; Nausea can be a side effect, but the patient is generally already experiencing nausea due to the vertigo so it goes largely unnoticed; Decreased appetite/weight loss.

Recent research from Australia was designed to identify the significant events and persons prompting search for non-biomedical/complementary and alternative (CAM) ways to cope with the impact of Ménière’s syndrome, the CAM therapies used and perceived benefits.

The results involved twenty personal, written stories being obtained and 23 letters. Commonly, critical events or changes in the condition provided the catalyst to seek alternative treatment, and sometimes significant others (a GP, CAM practitioner, friends, family). The accounts illustrate a range and variety of journeys that participants travelled in locating satisfactory ways to manage the condition, and the essential ‘personal’ nature of the experience and perceived benefits. No single CAM solution or pathway was evident.

The findings suggest the importance of ‘finding your own way’, having a positive outlook and being proactive in regaining control over one’s health, and the value of early recommendations to ‘perhaps try alternative/ CAM treatments’.

• Long AF, Bennett A. Coping with Ménière’s disease: experience and benefits from the use of complementary and alternative medicine. Chronic Illness September 2009 vol. 5 no. 3 219-232. tinyurl.com/6fsl3tc

Vitamin B deficiency link with MÉNIÈRE'S SYNDROME.

• Atkinson, M. MÉNIÈRE'S SYNDROME: Further Observations on Vitamin Deficiency as Causative Factor. AMA Arch Otolaryngol, Aug 1953; 58: 127 - 132. tinyurl.com/66kqg26

• Atkinson M. MÉNIÈRE'S SYNDROME. Observations on Vitamin Deficiency as the Causative Factor: III. The General Disturbance. Arch Otolaryngol. 1950;51(2):149-164. tinyurl.com/6598lxy

• Atkinson M. MÉNIÈRE'S SYNDROME: II. The Cochlear Disturbance. Arch Otolaryngol, Nov 1949; 50: 564 - 588. tinyurl.com/67myxyd

Over half a century ago, Dr Atkinson (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons) identified that there was a chronic lack of B vitamins in those with MÉNIÈRE'S SYNDROME. It certainly may be of value to ensure that there is an adequate supply of B vitamins.

Cranial osteopathy is definitely worth recommending. There are also techniques for engaging the ciliae hairs in the inner ear which may have value.

Avoid the foods to which there is an intolerance, if known - you may wish to conduct a IgE and IgG food blood tests

Avoid MSG & Aspartame – these are found in a range of foods, sauces, dressings, yeast extracts etc

Take a B Complex

Additional supplements you may wish to consider

Gingko biloba and vinpocetine

A review paper on Vinpocetine can be found here Alternative Medicine Review 2002 (Jun); 7 (3): 240–243 tinyurl.com/b8wa8rr

Vinpocetine has been used in the treatment of acoustic trauma with subsequent hearing loss and tinnitus. Disappearance of tinnitus occurred in 50 percent of those who started vinpocetine within one week of the trauma. Regardless of the time since the incident, 79 percent of patients had improved hearing and 66 percent had a significant decrease in the severity of the tinnitus. Vinpocetine has also been found to be effective in treating Meniere’s disease and in visual impairment secondary to arteriosclerosis.

Do consider also whether stress is a contributing factor

You can also undertake detailed nutritional blood tests to identify whether there are any deficiencies that need correctly too

I do hope this information helps

[chlorophyle]

I think there is a definite connection with Menieres. I identified an excess of wheat as causing my only attack of vertigo and that was only one of the clues that I had major problems with wheat. Wheat and other starchy carbs cause excess inflammation in various parts of my body. My late mother had Menieres and my brother has had many attacks. My sister has what she calls "fullness in the ear". I have remained free from vertigo since giving up wheat and edging towards a paleo lifestyle.

[chlorophyle]

Forgot to mention was diagnosed with low thyroid in 2005. Had TSH of 53 when eating wheat - down to 6.6 when gave up wheat. Was not taking thyroid supplements at the time as they gave me other problems (high blood pressure, headaches, difficulty in sleeping). I may eventually succumb to medication but not yet.

[virgolizzy]

Great info above, my only knowledge of this disease is that my friend had suffered from it for years, she had a mineral & vitamin test done & was deficient in chromium. She started taking it & she found that it improved dramatically. Worth a try, along with the other suggestions.

[Mia1057]

Thanks everyone for the great advice

[1stgls]

I have Menierres and Dematitis Hep, I never thought to put the 2 together,,, just assumed it was my luck, however I have to add that becoming gf since being diagnosed with Coeliac my Menierres symptoms improved , maybe it is the improvment of vit and mineral absorption!

[meanioni]

Part of the problem is that there is a growing realisation in the medical community that coeliac disease is not just about the gut, but a whole body thing (e.g. gluten ataxia), but there is too little research being done currently to verify. So whilst it may seem unlikely, there may well be a connection.