메니에르병의 현훈에 대한 한방치험 례

Oriental medical treatment in Meniere's disease

Meniere's disease is not a life-threatening but life-altering inner ear process characterized by episodic vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness. The etiology and pathophysiology of the symptoms is still disputed. Thereby the treatment of Meniere's disease is empirical. As yet, no treatment has prospectively modified the clinical course of the condition and thereby prevented the progressive hearing loss. We experienced two cases of Meniere's disease treated with herbal medication and acupuncture. 62 year-old male and 64 year-old female patients had definite Meniere's disease. Banhabaeckchulchunma-tang was administered in both cases. After treatment Vertigo attacks were completely controlled in both, whereas Hearing level remained unchanged. Tinnitus was improved in one patient and unchanged in the other. Therefore, Banhabaeckchulchunma-tang and acupuncture could be a safe and simple therapeutic modality that is effective in controlling the vertigo ; however further studies must be done on hearing preservation and tinnitus.