Metabolic Management in Menière's Disease

Abstract

Pollution in the bloodstream by abnormal amounts of metabolites (sugar, insulin, triglycerides and cholesterol) over an extended period of time will have an adverse effect upon the small blood vessels: the arterioles, capillaries and venules. If the microcirculation of the inner ear becomes afflicted, it may produce endolymphatic hydrops. Control of blood pollution can usually be achieved by intelligent dietary management; and, in the case of Menière's disease, the clinical relief is gratifying. Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism is complicated. If the new insulin-glucose tolerance test is used, it will detect many more cases of glucose intolerance. Fifty consecutive cases of Menière's disease were studied for abnormal levels of metabolites. Thirty-eight (76 %) of these cases had either an abnormal glucose tolerance test (using the Wilkerson point system) or at least borderline insulin levels: a) abnormal insulin levels, 35 cases; b) borderline insulin values, 3 cases; c) abnormal glucose tolerance with normal insulin values, no cases; d) both normal glucose tolerance and normal insulin production, 12 cases.