Allergic reactions to foods may be responsible for dizziness, hearing loss and ringing in the ears among thousands of people who suffer a disorder called Meniere's disease, a study concludes.
The study of 49 patients with the inner-ear disorder was conducted by Dr. Jennifer Derebery of the House Ear Institute. The institute's president is Dr. John House, former President Reagan's ear doctor.The 49 underwent testing to determine their food allergies, then those foods were removed from their diets. Vertigo either was reduced or eliminated in 66 percent of the patients. Half experienced a decrease in ringing in their ears, and several had dramatic improvements in hearing.
The foods most commonly linked to Meniere's disease were wheat, eggs, milk, corn, yeast and soybeans.
Thousands of Americans have the disease, in which excess fluid accumulates in the labyrinth, the part of the inner ear that controls balance.