Dr. Gott: Cutting sugar helped woman with Meniere’s

DEAR DR. GOTT: I wanted to respond to your article on Meniere’s disease that appeared in my local paper.

My daughter has (or had) the drop attacks. She went through all the tests to find out she had Meniere’s. She was so happy to find out that just cutting out her salt could help her, so she immediately quit using salt. (I might add that her whole family thought salt was the problem, as she was a heavy salt user.) However, she continued to get worse.

To make a long story short, we, like the fellow in your article, turned to the Internet. We became acquainted with a nurse in Canada whose husband was disabled because of the condition. She had done extensive research on it because they were also told to stop using salt, but it didn’t help. However, her research found that simply cutting out salt wasn’t the answer.

She told us to try what had worked for her husband. First, she said to cut out all refined sugar, and second, she said to start taking coenzyme Q10, echinacea, calcium with vitamin D and vitamins E, C and A.

My daughter found it easy to give up the sugar and is also happy she can have as much salt as she wants. Within days, her dizziness disappeared, and in the past 10 years, she has only had two attacks. I might add that she had admitted to having sugar just prior to both attacks. Before she started following this regimen, she couldn’t ride in a car, was always confused, had weekly drop attacks and much, much more.

She had given up salt without success for nearly a year before trying the second option. Soon after giving up white refined sugar and most sweets and taking the supplements, her life truly turned around. I hope that you print this letter because more people should be aware of this.

DEAR READER: Meniere’s is a fairly common condition that affects the inner ear and often results in attacks of vertigo, dizziness or lightheadedness, episodes of tinnitus (ringing in the ears), a fluctuating, slowly progressive hearing loss and a feeling of ear fullness that worsens during an attack.

It is often difficult to treat, and sufferers should be under the care of an ear-nose-and-throat specialist. Occasionally, surgery may be recommended when more conservative approaches have failed, but this is not without risk and may result in permanent hearing loss.

I have printed the advice you received from the nurse because it may be beneficial. However, since you do not give dosages, I must assume that they are to be taken at or below the recommended daily allowances. Vitamins E and A should be taken with care because of the risk of toxicity and overdose. Megadoses of vitamin C have been linked to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disturbances.

As with all home or alternative remedies, anyone interested should first speak to his or her physician to ensure that the risk of interactions with other medications is minimal. It will also allow for easier monitoring of the situation.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Ear Infections and Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a check or money order for $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.