It has been a while since the last post. Life gets in the way, and sometimes your health puts a stop to the production. As a runner and fitness junkie, it is hard to push the pause button when feeling ill. Unfortunately, when the room is spinning, it’s time to sit down and take a rest.

Last summer, I started experiencing vertigo and tinnitus. The symptoms were pretty miserable. Feeling nauseated and vomiting is no fun. I spent months feeling like there was a balloon in my left ear.

I finally made an appointment with the ENT, mainly to get some Zofran! The auditory exam revealed hearing loss in the left ear. Physical exam was normal. The ENT thought that there was a neuroma or damage to the auditory nerve that was causing the hearing loss. An MRI was negative for both, thankfully. So, the clinical diagnosis was one of exclusion.

Ménière’s disease? Ugh. Great.

Ménière’s disease is a chronic condition that affects the inner ear. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo (a spinning sensation), hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the affected ear. The exact cause of Ménière’s disease is unknown, but it is believed to be related to fluid buildup in the inner ear.

I was prescribed a course of steroids, but it did not help because I had the symptoms for months.

During an episode of Ménière’s disease, the hearing loss may be mild to severe and can come and go. Some individuals may experience sudden, temporary hearing loss during an episode, which can be followed by a period of partial or complete recovery. However, as the disease progresses, some individuals may develop permanent hearing loss. T

So now what?

The ENT recommended a low sodium diet, since sodium is the a big culprit of the disease.

I love food! Especially seasoning everything with hot sauce.

Sodium can play a role in the management of Ménière’s disease. Reducing sodium intake can help decrease fluid retention and potentially alleviate symptoms in some individuals with Ménière’s disease. It is generally recommended to limit sodium consumption to less than 2,300 milligrams per day, although individual needs may vary.

Stay tuned… I am going to explore the world of low sodium food. If anyone has any good recipes that involve low sodium jalapeños, please let me know.