Autoimmune inner ear disease
Encyclopedia
Autoimmune inner ear disease is a suspected autoimmune disease
Autoimmune disease
Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the body actually attacks its own cells. The immune system mistakes some part of the body as a pathogen and attacks it. This may be restricted to...

 characterized by rapidly progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks cells in the inner ear that are mistaken for a virus or bacteria. Autoimmune inner ear disease was first described by Dr. Brian McCabe of the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...

 in 1979.

Causes

AIED is generally caused by either antibodies or immune cells that cause damage to the inner ear. There are several autoimmune disorders to which AIED is related:


Research has found that long term abuse of opiate-based painkillers (such as OxyContin and Hydrocodone) can lead to profound hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear, according to Dr. Gail Ishiyama, an assistant professor at the UCLA department of neurology.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,99731,00.html

Treatment

AIED treatment is a rapidly changing field. Steroids are often used in the treatment of AIED, as well as Cytotoxic agents such as [Cyclophosphamide] and [Methotrexate].

More recently, in order to avoid many of the side effects of steroids, alternative medications and surgical procedures are used.
Since these change quite frequently, it is a good idea to check many sources in locating the most cutting-edge procedure for treating autoimmune inner ear disesase.

External links

  • Autoimmune inner ear disease at American Academy of Otolaryngology
    American Academy of Otolaryngology
    The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, originally started in the 1924, is the world's largest organization of over 13,000 specialist related to the area of ears, nose, and throat.- History :Reference...

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