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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.
