Tinnitus, or ringing in ears, is a common problem that affects more than at least 20% of people all over the world. While tinnitus is not a health condition itself, it is a symptom of an underlying health condition such as any injury to the ear, hearing loss caused by old age, or some problem with the vestibular system.
When it comes to tinnitus treatment, the exact method of the treatment would depend on the cause of the tinnitus. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at some of the self-help guidelines and home therapies that can help you manage tinnitus.
Some self-help guidelines for treating tinnitus
It is important to note that only a qualified doctor can provide you with the best tinnitus treatment, but the following tips can be useful to manage the symptom:
●
If you’re experiencing ringing in ears, avoiding
triggers that amplify the symptom can help a lot. Different people have
different triggers for tinnitus including caffeinated drinks, salt, aspirin,
and alcohol. It can be a good idea to identify the triggers that affect you and
then actively avoiding them to prevent tinnitus.
●
Quitting smoking can also help
when it comes to tinnitus treatment.
Smoking aggravates the symptom as nicotine acts as a stimulant and it also
constricts the blood flow and affects the nerve cells that are responsible for
hearing.
●
Another self-help method of
avoiding ringing in ears is
using white noise to reduce the effect of the symptom. Tinnitus is often much
worse when there is no background noise. A white noise machine is the best tool
when it comes to this approach but you can also try other easily available
sources of background noise such as playing soft music, turning on the radio,
or even switching on a fan.
●
Relaxation techniques also help
significantly with tinnitus treatment.
It is common for patients to experience tinnitus more intensely when they’re
stressed and worried. By using relaxation techniques, you reduce the stress
that you might be feeling. Some of the popular relaxation techniques to
mitigate tinnitus include yoga, meditation, and self-hypnosis.
● Lastly, it is also important to take care of your general health in order to ensure your body is healthy and functioning normally. For example, it is a good idea to ensure you’re eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising enough to keep yourself in shape. Fatigue and bad health not only affects
Vertigo, or dizziness, refers to an experience where a patient either feels that they’re moving when they’re not or things around them are moving when they’re not. As a vertigo specialist might tell you, vertigo is not really a disease but a symptom of an underlying medical condition. And yes, most vertigo patients can be cured with proper medication and treatment.
What is Vertigo?
As mentioned above, vertigo refers to feeling dizzy or falsely experiencing the sense of motion. There are two types of vertigo - peripheral vertigo and central vertigo. Peripheral vertigo is caused by problems with the inner ear or the vestibular nerve while central vertigo is caused if there is a problem in the brain, especially the area called cerebellum which is responsible for movement and balance.
A vertigo doctor will identify the type of vertigo during the diagnosis before the treatment starts using different tests. However, the majority of vertigo cases are peripheral and caused either by Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, or Acute peripheral vestibulopathy (APV).
The causes of central vertigo are usually more serious and sometimes life-threatening conditions like a stroke, a tumour located in the cerebrum, or multiple sclerosis.
Since vertigo is a symptom and not a health condition, the treatment provided by a vertigo specialist will depend on the underlying health condition and the cause of vertigo.
Vertigo Treatment
Even though a vertigo doctor will prescribe the treatment for vertigo based on the underlying health condition that is causing it, most doctors use vestibular blocking agents, or VBA medications like antiemetics, benzodiazepines, and antihistamines in the treatment process.
Alongside medication, there are a number of other things that can be involved in the treatment depending on the cause of vertigo. For example, a vertigo specialist may instruct the patient to perform an Epley repositioning manoeuvre in the case of BPPV or diuretic medications in the case of Meniere’s disease.
Even though a vertigo doctor will prescribe the treatment for vertigo based on the underlying health condition that is causing it, most doctors use vestibular blocking agents, or VBA medications like antiemetics, benzodiazepines, and antihistamines in the treatment process.
Alongside medication, there are a number of other things that can be involved in the treatment depending on the cause of vertigo. For example, a vertigo specialist may instruct the patient to perform an Epley repositioning manoeuvre in the case of BPPV or diuretic medications in the case of Meniere’s disease.
In some cases like patients suffering from Meniere’s disease, there is no cure that makes vertigo go away but the doctor can prescribe a number of medications that make it really convenient for the patient to manage their symptoms and live a healthy life.
For the majority of cases, with proper therapy and medication, vertigo can be cured by fixing the underlying health condition using a combination of therapy and medication.
For the majority of cases, with proper therapy and medication, vertigo can be cured by fixing the underlying health condition using a combination of therapy and medication.
What is the most effective way to cure vertigo?
The most effective way to cure vertigo is to make use of the services of an expert vertigo doctor and follow the prescription and treatment plan as closely as possible. While vertigo can seem like a scary experience, it is relatively common all over the world.
It is better to work with your doctor in a team-based approach rather than expecting them to be the only one putting in efforts to cure you. The fastest way to treat vertigo and any other health conditions is to take care of yourself and follow your doctor’s advice.
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Tinnitus treatment
involves finding the underlying cause of the problem and improving the
condition gradually. Some treatments involve reducing or masking the noise
which makes the condition much less aggravating and noticeable.
What is
tinnitus?
As mentioned above,
tinnitus is not really a health condition but a symptom of an underlying
problem. The most common cause of tinnitus is damage to the cells of the inner
ear hair. The tiny and delicate hairs inside our ear allow us to experience the
sensation of sound by moving based on the pressure of sound waves.
The cells of the
hair release electrical signals based on the movement which the brain
interprets as sound. When these cells are damaged, they can send faulty
electrical signals which are then falsely interpreted as sound by our brains
which creates the sensation of ringing in the ears.
Some of the common
causes of tinnitus include earwax blockage, ear bone changes, age-related
hearing loss, and prolonged exposure to loud noises. Some of the uncommon and
serious causes of tinnitus include Meniere’s disease, acoustic nueroma, head or
neck injuries, and TMJ disorders.
Tinnitus
treatment and diagnosis
The treatment of
tinnitus will depend on the underlying cause. The diagnosis process can involve
imaging tests like CT or MRI scans, hearing examinations, and the doctor might
also check to see if the tinnitus is affected by movement.
Treatment for tinnitus can also differ based on how the condition manifests itself. For example, some people might hear a low-pitching ringing in their ears which is usually caused by Meniere’s disease while others may experience a high-pitched ringing in the ears which might be caused by acoustic nueroma.
Some of the popular methods used in treating tinnitus involve treating the underlying health condition such as vascular conditions, or it can involve masking methods that help in noise suppression such as hearing aids and masking devices. Lastly, medications can also be prescribed in case the symptoms are too aggravated with alprazolam and tricyclic antidepressants being commonly used.
Treatment for tinnitus can also differ based on how the condition manifests itself. For example, some people might hear a low-pitching ringing in their ears which is usually caused by Meniere’s disease while others may experience a high-pitched ringing in the ears which might be caused by acoustic nueroma.
Some of the popular methods used in treating tinnitus involve treating the underlying health condition such as vascular conditions, or it can involve masking methods that help in noise suppression such as hearing aids and masking devices. Lastly, medications can also be prescribed in case the symptoms are too aggravated with alprazolam and tricyclic antidepressants being commonly used.
How to
find the right ear doctor for tinnitus treatment
There is no
shortage of ENT doctors to help you with tinnitus but you should use the
services of a trusted and qualified doctor that understands your problem
perfectly. Find the best treatment for any ear and vertigo related problems at
Dr. Anita’s Vertigo and Ear Clinic.
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Multiplesclerosis is an immune-mediated disorder that affects the central nervous
system of a person’s body. In this disorder, a person's immune system, which is
designed to keep the body healthy and immune from diseases, damages the myelin
sheath of nerve fibres. The myelin sheath is originally a safety cover which
helps in successful nerve conduction.
When
this protective cover is damaged, the injury results in dysfunction in the
brain and spinal cords. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are unpredictable
and they change in person to person based on the intensity of the disease.
Below are the most common symptoms multiple sclerosis patients may experience.
Vision Impairment
Problems
in healthy vision are one of the most common symptoms of this disorder. When
the disease affects brain cords, the first organs to be impacted are eyes. The
patient does not necessarily experience the loss in vision immediately. But the
changes are gradual. The patient may feel pain while looking up or to one side.
Fatigue and Weakness
One
of the major and most prominent symptoms of multiple sclerosis is obscure
fatigue. A person may suddenly start feeling weakness in his/her body. This
fatigue and feeling of tiredness usually last for more than 3 months. This
chronic fatigue is generally first experienced in legs by most patients.
Pain and Muscle Cramps
Majority
of patients experience unexplained chronic pain as early symptoms of multiple
sclerosis. Stiffness in muscles and sudden cramps are often followed by painful
jerking movements. These pain and spasms most commonly occur in legs and back.
Tingling and Numbness
When
there is an irregularity in the signals sent by the brain through the nervous
system, one may feel a tingling sensation in the face, arms, legs, or fingers.
At times there might be no signals at all. It causes numbness in the limbs as
they do not function properly in the absence of instructions from the brain.
Dizziness/ Vertigo
Vertigo
is one of the most common symptoms multiple sclerosis patients may have to deal
with. The dysfunctionality of the nerve system results in dizziness. The
patient may feel as if everything in his/her surroundings is spinning. It may
further result in difficulty in focusing.
Unsteadiness/ Instability
Similar
to dizziness, the patient may feel trouble in maintaining balance. Unsteadiness
and instability are one of the symptoms of MS. Patients of MS may have problems
in maintaining natural gait and may not be able to walk without support.
Sexual Dysfunction
While
there is a lack of signals passed to organs from the brain, you may find
difficulty in sexual drives. The problems in the central nervous system causes
issues with sexual arousal.
Bowel and Bladder Problems
Along
with sexual dysfunction, a person may experience issues with bladder and bowel
movements. Holding and resisting urine becomes difficult for the patient. The
symptoms may include the uncontrollable urge of urination and frequent
urination. The patient may also suffer from constipation, indigestion, and
loose motions.
Along
with above-mentioned symptoms, the patient of multiple sclerosis may develop
memory issues. Retaining information and remembering stuff can be difficult for
the patients. Other symptoms may include shortened attention span,
irritability, mood swings, stress etc. The symptoms of MS may develop gradually
over time. One must consult a doctor if he/she finds themselves suffering from
the above symptoms.
full information for clikc : http://vertigoandearclinic.com/multiple-sclerosis.php
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Tinnitus can be described as the sensation of sound heard by a patient. The sounds can be variously described as a buzzing, hissing & ringing, etc. This sound is defined as the conscious experience of sound that originates within the head of the listener, without any external source.
This sound sensation can be experienced in both ears, though often the patient is not sure about which ear the sound is coming from, & feels as though it is coming from the head.
The sound sensations arising out of tinnitus may vary in the type of sound, low & high pitches. It may be constant & intermittent or soft, loud or variable in intensity.
Tinnitus is quite common, & is the most prevalent in older people. It is seen in both males & females, although males report more tinnitus cases overall.
Tinnitus is also associated with hearing loss, although it’s not always the case.
Read more about Tinnitus, its causes, diagnosis & treatment here.
Tinnitus Causes:
There are many tinnitus causes. Some of the most common ones are:
Exposure to loud noise
Hearing loss related to old age or Presbyacusis
Wax inside the ear
Head injury or injury related to whiplash
Ear infections including Otitis media, secretory otitis, labyrinthitis
Certain drugs like aspirin, malaria-fighting drugs like quinine & chloroquine, antibiotics belonging to the mycin group- gentamycin & streptomycin, medications used in chemotherapy, & some diuretics, can cause a temporary or persistent Tinnitus
Medical conditions like hypertension, anemia, thyroid disorders & diabetes
Meniere’s disease
Cerebellopontine angle tumours like acoustic neuroma,
High caffeine intake
Alcohol consumption
Migraine headaches
For patients suffering from Tinnitus, it’s advisable that they undergo audiological & thorough medical evaluation to ascertain the cause of the disorder.
There are multiple Tinnitus myths. With every patient that suffers from Tinnitus, there are many Tinnitus myths that they harbour.
Most of these myths have their basis in the fact that a majority of people, including medical practitioners believe that tinnitus is untreatable, & that once you have it, you have to live with it forever.
In this article, we are here to bust some popular myths around tinnitus, its causes & hearing loss among patients. Read on to know more.
Myth #1: There’s nothing you can do about Tinnitus!
Myth Bust: Many patients go to the doctor with complaints of ringing & buzzing in their ears but are turned away with the saying that there’s nothing that they can they do about it. Most patients are told just to wait for it to go away on its own.
However, this is a myth & there is a lot that you can do to treat & manage Tinnitus.
Below are some proven ways to treat & manage Tinnitus.
Tinnitus Sound Therapy: Sound is an important element in treating Tinnitus. Amplified sounds from hearing aids, environmental influences, music or noise generators can help minimize the effect from the constant ringing & buzzing in the patient’s ears.
Ear Protection: Since exposure to loud noises is the leading cause of Tinnitus, earing ear protection masks & earbuds is a must for Tinnitus patients.
Tinnitus Counseling: Assessment & counselling with an experienced healthcare professional trained in managing & treating Tinnitus in patients. Regular counselling & treatment can help patients live a healthy life & improve the quality of their life by treating tinnitus causes. The effects of Tinnitus can be lessened by a combination of counselling & treatment.
ZEN tones in hearing aid: ZEN tones have been known to give relief to Tinnitus patients. They work by amplifying environmental sounds & the sounds in nature to minimize the effect of ringing & buzzing in the patients’ ears.
Relaxation exercises: Stress is known to increase the discomfort of Tinnitus patients. When you feel excessive discomfort, try destressing yourself by taking a walk, reading a book, watching TV, etc.
Certain yoga postures also help to bring your stress levels down.
Myth #2: Tinnitus is temporary & will go away on its own.
Myth Bust: Some forms of Tinnitus are temporary & are caused by sudden exposure to loud noise. Others, however, are more long-lasting & consist of recurring episodes. It’s important to remember that Tinnitus affects people in many different ways. According to the UK’s National Health Centre, ‘there are many sounds of Tinnitus’, including Mild Tinnitus, High-pitched Tinnitus, Low-frequency Tinnitus & Musical hallucinations.
Some of these can & do last for a lifetime, albeit can be managed by different exercises & ear protection.
Myth #3: Some pills can help cure Tinnitus.
Muth Bust: Some health companies will try to sell you a permanent cure for Tinnitus in the form of ‘magic’ pills. But medical science hasn’t yet gotten around to finding a cure for Tinnitus, so patients are advised not to fall for any of these scams.
Myth #4: Tinnitus & Hearing Loss aren’t linked.
Myth Bust: Many Tinnitus patients will also experience Hearing Loss. A medical survey revealed that out of 123 patients, only one reported no hearing loss. The British Tinnitus Association states that around 90% of all Tinnitus patients experience hearing loss.
Myth #5: If you don’t listen to loud music you won’t get Tinnitus.
Myth Bust: Loud exposure to music is just one cause of Tinnitus; there are several other causes. Even if you don’t listen to loud music, you might still get Tinnitus.
If you’re experiencing ringing, buzzing, hissing in your ears, it’s advisable that you go for diagnosing & treating Tinnitus.
If someone is suffering
from Multiple Sclerosis it means there central nervous system is affected which
is responsible for sending signals.
The central nervous
the system is affected by a demyelinating disease known as Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Multiple Sclerosis has an auto-immune origin. The central nerve is protected
and covered by the myelin sheath which helps in facilitating nerve conduction. In
multiple sclerosis, patients may experience myelin sheath of nerve fibers are
attacked by the body's immune system. The damage caused to the protective cover
of the nerve may result in the disruption of nerve signals. Patients suffering
from Multiple Sclerosis may experience several symptoms. You should advise your
friend or family member who is experiencing symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis to
seek medical help immediately to get the right treatment. An expert doctor will
diagnose the disease closely asking you to undergo some tests. He may even seek
your medical history for accurate diagnosis of the prevailing condition.
After examining your
the condition he would suggest the best treatment for Multiple Sclerosis suiting
your condition which focuses on a speedy recovery and manages the symptoms of
multiple sclerosis. Mild symptoms of multiple sclerosis get resolved over time
without any treatment whereas serious and persistent symptoms need to be
treated on time.
Some common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Patients suffering from multiple sclerosis may
experience:
- Unsteadiness or instability
- Vertigo or spinning sensation
- Fatigue
- Blur vision or loss of vision
- Clumsiness or difficulty in coordination
- Slurring of speech or unclear speech
- Cognitive problems for Eg. difficulty in concentration and changes in memory
Some common diagnostic test carried by the doctor to
examine Multiple Sclerosis
Here is a list of some
common tests to diagnose the disease accurately:
1. MRI of brain
Brain MRI is a common
test to diagnose multiple sclerosis. It helps in detecting the presence of
plaques. The stage of the disease is closely determined after examining the
location of plaques.
2. Evoked potential tests
Stimulation of nerve pathways to map
electrical activity within the brain. The evoked potentials used are visual,
sensory and brainstem.
3. Spinal tap or lumbar puncture
This is done to check for auto-immune
antibodies.
4. Videonystagmography (VNG)
This test uses infrared
cameras to track eye movements during different tests. MS patients may present
with various eye signs like spontaneous nystagmus, ocular flutter, difficulty
in holding the gaze, hyperventilation-induced nystagmus and direction-changing
nystagmus.
Treatments for multiple sclerosis
1.Self-injectable treatment
In self-injectable
treatment, certain medicines prescribed by doctors such as Beta interferons,
Glatiramer acetate, etc. are injected by an injection to the body. It can be
practiced at home after the proper guidance of the doctor to inject safely
beneath the skin or directly into the muscles. It helps in reducing the
frequency and severity of the disease.
2. Infusion treatment
Infusion treatment can’t
be practiced at home it needs proper clinical settings. Infusion medicines like
Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Natalizumab (Tysabri),
Mitoxantrone (Novantrone), etc. can not be taken at home. Your doctor will
advise you on the pros and cons of infusion treatments before starting it. The
dosage for infusion medication varies from person to person depending on the
severity of the underlying cause.
3. Oral treatment
As the name suggests its
the simplest treatment for easing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. It is an
easy option than injecting needles or visiting clinics. Taking a course of
prescribed medicines daily works effectively in treating multiple sclerosis.
Fingolimod (Gilenya), Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera), Teriflunomide (Aubagio),
Siponimod (Mayzent) are some of the common medicines prescribed by doctors to
take regularly for treating the disease.
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A survey reports that 90% of people who suffer
from the loss of hearing ability account for Sensorineural hearing loss. It can
be mild, severe or permanent, it entirely depends upon the underlying cause and
severity of the condition. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs due to the damage
in the hair cells that are present in your inner ear or damage to the nerve,
that crosses from the inner ear to the brain while carrying signals to the
brain. Age factor is one of the most common causes of sensorineural hearing
loss in people, but several other factors are responsible for the same.
Sensorineural hearing loss is categorized into
two parts, congenital and acquired sensorineural hearing loss. Congenital
hearing loss occurs during pregnancy due to various factors like prematurity,
genetics, diabetes to the mother, lack of oxygen supply during the birth and so
on. Whereas hearing loss that occurs after the birth can be caused due to
various external factors like exposure to loud noise, injury, infection, side
effects of certain drugs or age-related issues.
Some of the common causes of
acquired sensorineural hearing loss
- Aging
Aging
is the most important factor that is responsible for causing a hearing
disability in a person. A study reports that a majority of people between the
age group of 65-75 years are diagnosed with Sensorineural hearing loss. It
occurs over time and affects both the ears of the person, which makes it quite
difficult to get noticed.
- Exposure to loud sound
Exposure
to loud music or noise for an elongated period results in hearing loss.
Exposure to sound louder than 85 decibels result in such a condition.
- Disease and infection
A
person can experience sensorineural hearing loss if he/she is exposed to
various diseases such as mumps, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, ménières
disease, etc.
- Side effects of certain medicines
A side effect of certain drugs like aspirin,
cisplatin, quinine or the antibiotics streptomycin & gentamicin, can even
cause certain infections and cause sensorineural hearing loss in a person.
- Tumors
An abnormal skin growth in the middle ear
leads to sensorineural hearing loss in a patient. Acoustic neuroma, a benign
tumor is a common tumor that affects the auditory system and cholesteatoma.
Symptoms of sensorineural
hearing loss
- A person may experience loud sound in one ear
- A person may experience difficulty in hearing in noisy areas
- Unable to hear women's voice
- Unable to recognize high-pitched sounds (such as "s" or "th") from one another
- When you start hearing unclear voices from other people
- If you are experiencing Meniere disease, you may start feeling dizzy or off balance.
- May hear a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears which (tinnitus)
In
most cases, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent as the hair cells in the
inner ear which are damaged, cannot be repaired or replaced. If one has
experienced sensorineural hearing loss due to age factor its a permanent loss
of hearing ability. Mild sensorineural hearing loss can be cured in some cases
if medical help is taken immediately. An expert doctor will diagnose the
underlying treatment before suggesting the treatment for sensorineural hearing
loss. Patients who are diagnosed with mild acquired sensorineural hearing loss
can be treated by wearing hearing aids. Whereas those with severe sensorineural
hearing loss will be treated with cochlear implants. It is an electronic
hearing device that is surgically implanted directly into the inner ear. Your
doctor will advise on the risks and benefits before implantation. Seek medical
help as soon as you start experiencing symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss
to prevent it from getting severe.
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