We are now in the middle of summer here in Atlanta. As usual it is very hot and humid and it rains about once a month. I have lived here for 26 years and the heat still bothers me. Not as much as it use to, but it still does.
But does it affect my Meniere’s disease?
I have had Meniere’s disease for over five years now. I have had numerous ambulance rides to the emergency room from work and from the side of the road brought on my condition. As I look back I don’t know that the summer is when I have had the most attacks or the worse attacks. It could be though because the heat certainly has an adverse effect on me, especially when I am getting sick. The first attack that I had at work was when I was inside an office where there was little circulation and the air either worked way too good or not at all. And when I am in the middle of the attack, I really start to burn up. Sweat pours off me and my temperature skyrockets. But even though it was summer at the time I was inside which is where most of my attacks are occurred. So I just I am not sure about seasonal changes affecting MM.
I have also read that some people who have this condition find it to be worse in the fall and the spring because of allergies. Since there is a lot of speculation as to what brings on the attacks, you can’t rule out allergies as a factor.
I would love to hear other opinions of this subject so feel free to comment.
Thanks
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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16 comments:
After your temperature shoots up, do you sometimes get really cold? I find this sometimes happens to me as an attack subsides. It doesn't matter what the surrounding temperature is. In fact it happened to me last week on a very warm night at the end of out mini-heatwave, here in the UK. I was shivering in bed with blankets over me!
Jeff,
Sometimes I get the chills after the attack and high temperature ends
Regarding sweats and chills (in that order), I too have experienced them. It has been explained to me, these symptoms are reactions in our body chemistry which in layman's terms is 'shock'. THE SYMPTOMS AND IMPACT OF A VERTIGO ATTACK ACTUALLY SENDS A MESSAGE TO OUR BRAIN THAT WE ARE IN PAIN. It is really no different than if we were seriously injured. BECAUSE WE DON'T FEEL IT, we do not recognize or describe it as pain. (Hope this makes sense to you.)
This is such a 'perplexing' disorder and as so many things can trigger symptoms, it is a 'personal process of elimination' to determine what is triggering yours.
I agree with you that the body definitely sends out signals that something is wrong and you should aware of it when the sweats and chills come.
thanks for commenting
I've had meniere since i was a small child, and i am 28 now. I have suspected a correlation between temperature (air pressure) and my attacks. I have often wondered if i should keep a record of my attacks and the atmospheric conditions at the time, but have never gotten around to it.
I know how terrible it can be to have meniere's as an adult but to have it when you are a child, really must have been beyond belief!
It might be interesting to see if there is a pattern in your attacks and the weather. If you ever do keep a record I would love to see the results.
Keep in touch and let me know if there is anything I can help you with.
David
Just found your blog. I only got my diagnosis recently and I'm wondering if the air pressure affects it as whenever it is rainy or stormy here I find I get very dizzy and my ears feel like they need to pop.
Lex,
The bad weather does seem to have an effect on me as well as other with meniere's. Riding in an airplane is bad especially when it is taking off.
thanks for commenting and stay in touch
David
I have had MD for about 10 years. For the first 8 attacks were only about one per year on average. Then about 2 years ago the attacks became almost daily. A doctor put me on a diuretic and it helped a lot. I take it daily. But this fall my MD (stuffy ears and dizziness) came back despite the medication. My nose gets sniffly in the cold weather and I am trying to figure out whether that exacerbates the MD.
It has been rainy here in Atlanta the past few days and my MD has been acting up. I think the weather has something to do with it.
l too have had this disease since child hood but since moving to alberta canada my drop attacks are much more severe. When l lived in ontario canada my attacks would come maybe every 6 months if not longer. Ontario is very humid and Alberta is extremely dry and the temp never stays the same, it can be high of 26 and drop 10 degrees in a couple of hours. This causes alot of pressure on my head and ears. So yes l feel that weather can cause drop attacks. When l go home to ontario for a visit l am very ill for a week but then slowly come out of it and start feeling less presure and less dizziness.
I can imagine that much flucuation in the temperatures would play havoc with your ears!
thanks for the comment and stay in touch
David
I've been diagnosed with md for 5 years now and have been on meds and had 2 gentamycin injections through my ear drum. Since for the past 3 years nov and dec have been the time for my most severe and regular attacks. Have been attack free since jan until 2 days ago. Here we go again...
Natalie, UK
Hi Natalie,
I hate that your meniere's is coming back after such a long time of being attack free. the cold air must have something to do with it.
thanks for the comment
David
I have had MD for approx 8 years now, my first attack came in July and then nothing for 1 year but then I had another attack lasting for 2-3 days. The first few attacks were not diagnosed then finally I was sent to a specialist and was told I had MD. The past 3 years I have had consistent ear problems and spurts of the vertigo being bed bound. I went on a sodium free diet and had no attacks for 1 year, i was told the salt and sodium was part of the problem. Recently I was told I could do a 1000mg a day sodium diet and that should be okay, However my attacks came back but also the weather changed. I seem to have ear trouble and vertigo when it gets cold. I am not for sure but I am now starting a journal and am trying to network with others to learn more about the disease. Have any of you tried the diet plan ?
Debbie
Debbie~
I changed my diet drastically..most of the time I think it has helped.
I cut out sugar, processed foods, diet products, carbs, and use almost no additional salt. I mostly use onions and herbs for flavoring.
I eat primarily lean meats, fish, fresh veggies and fruits...& eggs now and then.
I dropped or added one thing at a time, till I felt I was eating what LEAST set off the Menieres.
I miss the junk food..it took will power for sure..but I hate the vertigo more!
I increased my daily water intake too, and I do take a diuretic daily.
Test till you find what works best for you.
Good Luck!
Lauri
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