What causes Meniere's disease?

We don’t know what causes Meniere's disease, but we do know that:

• It can run in families
• People with increased pressure in the endolymphatic sac (part of the inner ear) may be more likely to develop it
• Disturbances involving the balance of sodium and potassium in the fluid contained in the inner ear may lead to the disease
• People with an abnormal immune response – where the body has problems defending itself from alien bodies such as viruses – may develop the disease
• Some specific viral infections are linked to its development
• Stress can make the symptoms worse
• It may be associated with changes in blood supply to the ear
• It may also be associated with head injuries