👂 Meniere's Disease Endolymphatic Hydrops Simulator

Endolymphatic Hydrops: Fluid Volume Excess

Endolymph overaccumulates inside the inner ear's membranous labyrinth.

• Endolymph: Affected compartment (scala media fluid)
• Impaired resorption: Driving mechanism (endolymphatic sac dysfunction)
• ↑ Excess: Volume change (relative to perilymph)
• Gradual: Onset pattern (builds over time)

Fluid volume buildup

Placeholder: endolymph volume rises as production exceeds resorption capacity.

Membrane Distension and Hair Cell Pressure

Swollen fluid compartment stretches membranes against sensory hair cells.

• Reissner's membrane: Structure stressed (separates scalae)
• Distension: Mechanical effect (bulging under pressure)
• Compression: Hair cell impact (mechanotransduction disrupted)
• Partial: Reversibility (early stages)

Membrane stress

Placeholder: pressure bulges the membrane, pressing on delicate hair cell bundles.

The Vertigo-Tinnitus-Hearing Loss Triad

Hair cell disruption produces the hallmark three-symptom pattern.

• Episodic: Vertigo (vestibular hair cell stress)
• Ringing: Tinnitus (cochlear irritation)
• Low-frequency: Hearing loss (fluctuating early on)
• Aural pressure: Fullness (often co-occurs)

Triad mechanism

Placeholder: shared fluid pressure disrupts vestibular and cochlear hair cells together.

Episodic, Fluctuating Symptom Course

Symptom intensity fluctuates unpredictably across repeated attacks.

• 20min–24h: Attack duration (typical episode)
• Fluctuating: Pattern (remission between attacks)
• Variable: Progression (unpredictable long-term course)
• Multifactorial: Triggers (salt, stress, fatigue)

Episodic course

Placeholder: attacks recur intermittently with symptom-free intervals between.

Low-Salt Diet for Fluid Management

Reducing sodium intake helps lower endolymph fluid pressure.

• Low-salt diet: Intervention (first-line management)
• <1500-2000mg/day: Target sodium (typical guidance)
• Fluid reduction: Mechanism (less endolymph retention)
• Symptom relief: Outcome (reduced attack frequency)

Dietary sodium restriction

Placeholder: lowering salt intake reduces fluid retention and eases pressure.

Placeholder: low-salt diet is a simple, evidence-supported first step in management.