Bacterial and Viral causes of Meniere's disease

Other than noise and head trauma, bacterial and/or viral infections may cause a great deal of imbalance and hearing difficulties in the auditory system. Bacterial infections usually persist longer than viral infections and may at least respond to antibiotic treatment.

Bacterial Causes

There are a number of bacteria types that may cause ear irritation and other infections which may lead or result in ear infections. For instance, bacteria that lodges in the esophagus causes epiglottitis and other infections, may spread to the middle ear via the Eustachian tube. If left untreated, such infection may spread further to the inner ear causing irritations and swelling in the labyrinth.

Here are types of bacteria that are common in causing infections:

• Group A Streptococcal
• Pneumococcus
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Haemophilus Influenzae
• Moraxella catarrhalis
• Other Streptococcal species (Groups B, C, G)
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Chlamydia pneumoniae
• Klebsiella
• Mycoplasma
• Moraxella

Although most bacterial infections may successfully be treated with antibiotics, you must first discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Remember certain medication can be good for certain infections but unconsciously aggravate other disorders.

Viral infections

There is no substantial evidence yet on whether viruses play a role in causing Meniere's disease. However, scientists still suspect that viruses cause most of the ENT infections (ear, nose and throat) and may also cause Meniere's disease.

Common viruses that cause ENT disorders:

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
• Rhinovirus
• Coronavirus
• Adenovirus
• Influenza
• Parainfluenza
• Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV, Mononucleosis)
• Coxsackievirus
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• Enteric virus
• Reovirus
• Myxovirus

Other causes of Meniere's disease:

1. Abnormality of fluids in the inner ear
2. Environmental causes of Meniere's disease
3. Biological causes of Meniere's disease