Low-sodium diet with adequate water intake improved the clinical efficacy in Ménière's disease.

Abstract

Background: Ménière's disease (MD) is a common idiopathic inner ear disorder in otorhinolaryngology characterized by recurrent episodes of vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and ear fullness.

Objective: To study the effects of low-sodium diet with adequate water intake on the clinical efficacy in MD.

Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with stage-3 unilateral MD were randomly divided into control group(n = 25) and experimental group(n = 25). The control group was given routine medication therapy, and the experimental group was restricted to an sodium intake of 1500 mg/d and a water intake of 35 ml/kg/d based in addition to the routine medication therapy. The two groups were assessed using pure tone audiometry, electrocochleography, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI).

Results: The pure tone audiometry and electrocochleography showed better improvements after treatment in the experimental group than the control group (p < 0.05). The THI improved values in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). The DHI improved values in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.004).

Conclusions and significance: Low-sodium diet with adequate water intake improved the hearing and alleviated vertigo and tinnitus in MD patients.