Fluids in the inner ear chambers are constantly being produced and absorbed by the circulatory system.  Any disturbance in this delicate relationship results in over production or under absorption of the fluids.  The resulting increased pressure in the inner ear causes the symptom triad of episodic dizziness, fluctuating hearing impairment and head noise or tinnitus.  This condition is called as Endolymphatic hydrops or Meniere’s disease (so called after Prosper Meniere who first recognized this condition).  In 85% of the patients suffering from Menieres only one ear is affected, in the remaining 15% involvement of the other ear occurs within 2 years. In the early stages the hearing loss fluctuates always returning to normal levels after the episode has passed.  As the disease progresses hearing loss becomes more severe and permanent.  In the early stages the tinnitus is often intermittent usually occuring during an attack.  Within a short time, it becomes constant, increasing in intensity during attacks.  The types of noise experienced by patients are usually described as low-pitched roaring or hissing type of sounds.  The frightening aspect of the disease is the vertigo.  During an attack, the patient feels as if the room is spinning or sometimes even oneself spinning.  The feeling of vertigo makes sitting and walking difficult and the patient must lie down quietly avoiding all head movements.  Vertigo may be associated with sweating, nausea and vomiting.  The frequency, duration and severity of attacks vary from patient to patient.  Vertigo may come on suddenly and without warning, or may be preceded by an aura.  Vertigo may last for only a few minutes or may last for hours.  Most commonly the acute manifestations may continue for one to three hours.