What is Tinnitus
- Tinnitus is a term used to describe a condition in which a person hears ringing or other sounds in their ear(s) while there is no actual external source of sound.
- These sounds are often referred to as “phantom sounds”.
- It is a very common problem that affects up to 20% of people and is more common in adults, although it can happen to children as well.
- Tinnitus is usually caused by an underlying condition such as hearing-loss, injuries, infections, tumors, etc.
- Tinnitus can affect ones life by interfering with your ability to hear and it can also affect your ability to concentrate.
What Causes Tinnitus
Hearing Loss -> Damage to the minute hair cells within the inner ear can result in issues with random nerve impulses from the ear to the brain. This can cause the ringing sound that people hear.
Injuries to the head and neck -> This can result in damage to organs or surrounding tissues connected to the ear.
Ear Infections -> This can cause swelling and pain which can result in fluid build-up within the ear which results in pressure.
Blockages of the ear -> Earwax, dirt, or other foreign materials can cause blockages in the ear which can result in a build up of pressure within the ear.
Medication -> Certain medicines are associated with the worsening of tinnitus symptoms. These medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, etc.), antibiotics, diuretics, anti-malarial medicines and selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Certain diseases -> Meniere’s disease, tumors, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis , migraines, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, otosclerosis (stiffening of inner ear bones), TMJ disorders, etc.
Symptoms of Tinnitus
- The most common symptom is ringing in the ears without any external source of sound.
- Apart from ringing, one may experience other types of sounds too such as humming, buzzing, hissing, etc.
- The sound may occur in one or both ears.
- The sound may come and go, however, in some people it can last for a long time.
- It can cause trouble with hearing.
- It can also affect ones ability to concentrate.
Remedies for Tinnitus
Zinc
Zinc is a trace mineral that is responsible for various functions of human physiology.
It supports immune function, blood sugar, blood pressure, wound healing, and more.
Zinc is found to be deficient in many patients with Tinnitus and supplementation with it has resulted in a significant reduction in symptoms (see study).
You can get more zinc from your diet or from supplementation. Zinc is found in foods such as pumpkin seeds, shellfish, salmon, eggs, nuts, and legumes.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral and electrolyte that plays a vital role in nerve function.
Its also one of the most common nutrients that people tend to be deficient in.
Magnesium plays a role in over 300 processes within the body.
Magnesium supplementation in patients with Tinnitus appears to be highly beneficial as patients appear to experience a significant reduction in symptoms that can be impairing (see study).
While magnesium levels can be raised by consuming more magnesium-rich foods, it can be quite difficult. Therefore, in most cases supplementation is needed. However, supplementation can be kept at a low dose by eating more magnesium-rich foods such as avocado, dark chocolate, nuts, legumes, etc.
Other Remedies
Antioxidants -> In a clinical trial, antioxidant supplementation resulted in reduced subjective discomfort and tinnitus intensity (see study).
Vitamin B12 -> In a clinical study, scientists found a connection between vitamin b12 deficiencies and tinnitus. They also found that giving these patients intramuscular vitamin b12 resulting in significant improvement (see study).
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(Always use medicinal herbs under the supervision of a doctor)
by Dr. Nishal R.
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