Biological causes of Meniere's disease

The anatomical disorders of the middle ear bones, such as fractures caused by head injuries and trauma may constitute the abnormality of inner ear fluids. Ear, nose, head or other surgery may also increase one's susceptibility to having their ear fluids infected or cochlea damaged. There are several other factors that may cause injury to the cochlea and abnormality of inner ear fluids.

Abnormal levels of fluids in the inner ear

According to Moore, K.L (1985:975), an abnormal increase in the amount of endolymph (fluids located in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear) is called hydrops of the internal ear or Meniere's disease. This excess fluid can cause recurrent vertigo (dizziness) that is accompanied in later stages by tinnitus or noises in the ear and deafness.

The biological factors that match the symptoms of or may cause Meniere's disease include:

• Middle ear infections (otitis media)
• Head, neck or ear injuries (or surgery)
• Fatigue
• Stress
• Migraine
• Tumors of the vestibulocochlear nerve
• Autoimmune reaction (allergies)
• Alcohol consumption
• Cigarette smoke (both first and secondhand)
• Syphilis

Heredity

Most cases of Meniere's disease don't show any form hereditary contribution to the causes of this infection. But in few various studies a little percentage, as little as 5%, sufferers were reported to have a nearest family member who once had the illness before. But this doesn't qualify Meniere's disease to be hereditary.

However, health practitioners maintain that Meniere's disease can be familial. This means that it can be more prevalent in certain families but without genetic heredity. Furthermore, Meniere's disease is not known to be contagious at all.

Other causes of Meniere's disease:

• Abnormality of fluids in the inner ear
• Bacterial and Viral causes of Meniere's disease
• Environmental causes of Meniere's disease

References:
Moore , K.L. (1985). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Second edition. Library of Congress Catalog in Publication Data. Toronto : USA