MENIERE'S DISEASE

recurrent and generally progressive group of symptoms that include loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and a full sensation or pressure in the ears. The disease is episodic, with attacks, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, seldom lasting longer than 24 hours. The apparent immediate cause of the disorder is excessive endolymph, the fluid in the cochlear duct of the inner ear. (The cochlear duct is the membranous tube inside the winding passage of the snaillike cochlea.) The reason for the excess of endolymph is not known. Administration of diuretics and a low-salt diet commonly are prescribed to control the symptoms.