Diaphoresis and Meniere's disease.

The effect of diaphoresis on patients with Meniere's disease (labyrinthine hydrops) previously has not been reported. With the use of two distinct activities to produce diaphoresis, we were able to document substantial transient improvements in pure-tone threshold, speech-reception threshold, and speech discrimination concurrent with a decrease in tinnitus and fullness in two patients with unilateral Meniere's disease that had been diagnosed previously by the glycerin test. The two diaphoretic activities were (1) strenuous exercise, including periodic visits to the sauna, and (2) passive activity consisting of repetitive visits to the sauna. Glycerin, an osmotic diuretic, produces similar temporary beneficial effects primarily in patients in the fluctuant hearing stage of Meniere's disease. The glycerin test is being used in several clinics as an adjunct for the diagnosis of endolymphatic hydrops.