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Ménière’s Disease

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19 Figure 3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ménière's Disease Triggers Frequent Questions Non-specific supportive measures What triggers will make my symptoms worse, or bring on a vertigo attack? Ménière's disease (MD) triggers vary from patient to patient. It is possible that you have one trigger, or you may have many. You may want to consider keeping a food and activity diary to help you identify what your triggers are. If I know that sodium is a trigger for me, how much can I consume daily? While there is no sodium recommendation specifically for patients with MD, the American Heart Association recommends an "ideal" limitation of 1500 mg, and consuming no more than 2300 mg. I have a high stress job/life and it makes my symptoms worse. How can I avoid stress? Stress can play a role in making MD symptoms worse. It is hard to live a stress-free life, however, there are several ways to help manage stress. A few examples are getting adequate sleep and exercise, meditation, support groups, and avoiding natural depressants like alcohol and drugs. Is there a special diet I should follow to avoid an attack? Diet may not affect everyone the same way. However, increased sodium consumption can increase fluid in the inner ear. Reading food labels can help you keep track and avoid excessive sodium consumption. Foods that are naturally low in sodium include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole food (not processed), and fresh beef, poultry, and fish. Also, increased caffeine consumption has been known in some to trigger an attack, but it does not affect everyone. What lifestyle changes can I make to help prevent symptoms? MD is a very complex disease and can be very difficult to treat. However, living a healthy lifestyle and developing coping mechanisms is a great practice to maintain good health. It may also help to control symptoms of MD. Examples of this are: • Limit salt/sodium in your diet. • Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. • Eat well-balanced meals throughout the day. • Drink plenty of water throughout the day, avoiding high sugar beverages. • Manage stress appropriately. ▶ Get plenty of exercise ▶ Get enough sleep ▶ Join a support group ▶ Journal ▶ Practice breathing exercises • Identify and manage any allergies. • Patients with increased bouts of vertigo should be assessed for sleep apnea.

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