Page 56 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - February 2014 Edition

New app to monitor Meniere's Disease launched A new mobile app has been launched this week to help researchers develop a better understanding of a rare condition affecting the inner ear. The tool will allow sufferers of Ménière's Disease to log details about their symptoms and see how they compare with people across the country. Ménière's Disease affects roughly 60,000 people in the UK and can cause tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo and a feeling of pressure deep inside the ear. But reasons why people develop the condition, and how symptoms occur, remain unclear. The study is being carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School's European Centre for Environment & about their symptoms each day. [] loss of blood flow similar to transient ischemic Human Health, working closely with digital attacks (or mini strokes) in the brain can be company Buzz Interactive, who have helped to CU Researchers May generated in the inner ear sensory tissues. In develop the app. young people who have hydrops without The team are hoping to understand what Have Discovered A Plan vascular disorders, no attacks occur because factors influence the symptoms of Ménière's, To Disable Meniere’s blood flow continues in spite of these and discover if people across the country fluctuations. However, in people with vascular experience similar complaints at the same time. Disease diseases, these fluctuations are sufficient to rob They are also hoping to use several different the ear of blood flow and the nutrients the blood types of data to understand how environmental provides. When the tissues that sense hearing factors, such as air pressure and humidity, can Researchers at University of Colorado School and motion are starved of blood, they stop impact symptoms. of Medicine may have figured out what causes sending signals to the brain, which sets off the Long term Ménière's sufferer Gerald Meniere’s disease and how to attack it. vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss in the disorder. Pitts welcomed the research, saying: "It can be According to Carol Foster, MD, from the Restoration of blood flow does not a very unpredictable condition that makes department of otolaryngology and Robert resolve the problem. Scientists believe it everyday life difficult. One minute you can be Breeze, MD, a neurosurgeon, there is a strong triggers a damaging after-effect called the functioning well, the next the whole room is association between Meniere’s disease and ischemia-reperfusion pathway in the excitable spinning and you have no idea what set it off. conditions involving temporary low blood flow tissues of the ear that silences the ear for several Understanding episodes like this will help me – in the brain such as migraine headaches. hours, resulting in the prolonged severe vertigo and others with the condition – to prepare for Meniere’s affects approximately 3 to 5 and hearing loss that is characteristic of the times when symptoms might worsen." million people in the United States. It is a disorder. Although most of the tissues recover, Research lead, Dr Jess Tyrrell, said: "By disabling disorder resulting in repeated violent each spell results in small areas of damage that collecting data on a daily basis this project will attacks of dizziness, ringing in the ear and over time results in permanent loss of both provide the crucial first step in understanding hearing loss that can last for hours and can hearing and balance function in the ear. the variable nature of Ménière's. We hope this ultimately cause permanent deafness in the Since the first linkage of endolymphatic will be good news for those diagnosed with the affected ear. Up until now, the cause of the hydrops and Meniere’s disease in 1938, a condition, removing some of the anxiety attacks has been unknown, with no theory fully variety of mechanisms have been proposed to associated with the 'unknowns' that trigger explaining the many symptoms and signs of the explain the attacks and the progressive attacks." disorder. deafness, but no answer has explained all This study builds on existing research “If our hypothesis is confirmed, aspects of the disorder, and no treatment based into the disease at the Centre, which has treatment of vascular risk factors may allow on these theories has proven capable of considered the occurrence of Ménière's in the control of symptoms and result in a decreased controlling the progression of the disease. This UK population. need for surgeries that destroy the balance new theory, if proven, would provide many new Natasha Harrington-Benton, Director of function in order to control the spell” said avenues of treatment for this previously poorly- the Meniere's Society, said: "This new mobile Foster. “If attacks are controlled, the previously controlled disorder. [] phone app will be a really useful tool to help our inevitable progression to severe hearing loss members monitor their condition, providing may be preventable in some cases.” information that could help them manage their Foster explains that these attacks can be symptoms. It's fantastic that it will also further caused by a combination of two factors: 1) a our understanding of a disease which has malformation of the inner ear, endolymphatic received comparatively little scientific hydrops (the inner ear dilated with fluid) and 2) attention." risk factors for vascular disease in the brain, You can take part in the research if such as migraine, sleep apnea, smoking and you're over 18, have been diagnosed with atherosclerosis. Ménière's disease by your doctor, and have The researchers propose that a fluid experienced symptoms – such as vertigo or buildup in part of the inner ear, which is tinnitus – in the last year. strongly associated with Meniere attacks, Participants will need a smart phone or indicates the presence of a pressure-regulation tablet, must be happy for location data to be problem that acts to cause mild, intermittent captured, and willing to input brief information decreases of blood flow within the ear. When this is combined with vascular diseases that also www.xzonepodcast.com lower blood flow to the brain and ear, sudden