Ménière's Society

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Research

Ménière's disease is described by its major symptoms: vertigo, tinnitus and deafness. Individuals have the symptoms with different intensities, variable over time and not necessarily all active at the same time. Currently there is no clear understanding of how the disease develops and hence there is no way of halting or curing it; although it may spontaneously go into remission. As the disease is little understood and is not common (about 0.1% of the population suffer), medical care and support can vary depending on the patient's location. As there is no obvious line of research to follow to cure the disease the Society spends a considerable part of its budget on research to help sufferers and their carers manage the disease better. Consequently research in the following areas is supported:

  1. Finding better ways of sharing current research information and patient' experience with other sufferers, carers and medical staff.
  2. Better understanding of the progress of the disease.
  3. Ways of modifying the environment that sufferers live in, so as to reduce the likelihood of an attack- this covers physical environment, stress, diet etc.
  4. Develop methods that can warn sufferers of an impending attack in sufficient time to take action to avoid it or reduce its impact on their lives.
  5. Develop methods and treatments that reduce the impact of the symptoms of Ménière's disease on sufferers' lives. This covers direct treatment of the physical symptoms and also psychological techniques that allow sufferers to better handle the symptoms.
  6. A better understanding of how the drugs that are used to treat Ménière's disease work.
  7. Develop a better understanding of the symptoms of Ménière's disease which have the possibility of either alleviating the symptoms, stopping its further development or preventing it developing in the first place.
  8. Develop an understanding of the causes of Ménière's disease.
  9. Develop a cure for Ménière's disease.

The Society continues to seek, evaluate and support worthwhile projects. Funding is available to help stimulate interest in Ménière's disease for medical staff.