Fluctuating Hearing Loss And Tinnitus
Tinnitus or Ringing in the ear is an annoying condition that affects 20% of the population at one time or another. Mostly short-lived, following prolonged exposure to extremely loud noise, such as an hour or two in a video arcade, the tiny hairs inside your inner ear get damaged and it can take a while for them to recover. However, tinnitus, or noises in your ear can become prolonged and in some instances can be signs of a serious medical u issue. Fluctuating Hearing Loss And Tinnitus
Meniere’s Disease
Tinnitus sufferers who experience vertigo could well be suffering from Meniere’s disease. While this disease normally strikes people between 40 and 60 years of age, it can affect anyone, even youngsters. According to the Mayo clinic web site, Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes spontaneous episodes of vertigo – a sensation of a spinning motion – along with fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and sometimes a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear. In most cases, Meniere’s disease affects only one ear.
So now we know what Meniere’s disease is, how can we treat it? In the traditional medical profession this is considered a chronic condition, which in medical lingo means it can be treated, but not cured. However there are some new developments that make life with the condition considerably more bearable.
The first step of course is to see your doctor. Then you will most likely be referred to a couple of specialists. This first visit to the doctor is very important as many of the symptoms of Meneire’s disease can be symptoms of very serious medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, so these must first be ruled out.
Considered as Possible Causes of Menieire’s disease
Then the causes of Meniere’s disease must be investigated as the causes can sometimes lead to rapid relief. The things that are currently considered to cause Meniere’s Disease include:
trauma to the head such as a closed head injury;
an allergic reaction or ongoing allergies;
an immune response that is not effective, or not well tolerated;
a viral infection;
a stroke;
excessive fluid retention, which can be a sign of many health problems;
genetics
As you can see all of these possible causes are ones that should be determined if possible, as the treatment for each varies. As we learn more and more about strokes there is more that can be done to moderate or even reverse their effects. An immune system problem needs to be investigated and treated so that your immune system goes back to functioning as it should. A Closed Head Injury can have very serious consequences and needs to be diagnosed and thoroughly investigated. Meniere’s disease may be the best symptom of a closed head injury as the rest of the consequences can be life destroying. This needs careful treatment. Allergies should be investigated and controlled. Often changes in our diet are necessary, although sometimes the allergies come from our environment. In any event you need to know. Even genetic defects are now treatable if the problem is severe enough. Fluctuating Hearing Loss And Tinnitus
Vertigo is The Worst Symptom
The very worst part of Meniere’s Disease is the attacks of vertigo. You must sit down so as not to fall down whenever this occurs. Be sure to rest for awhile and relax after one of these attacks. If you discover these vertigo attacks are occurring frequently you cannot drive a car, you endanger yourself and others.
Lifestyle Changes May Help
The good news is that many of the symptoms of Meniere’s disease a can be significantly reduced with some fairly simple lifestyle changes. Do things like:
Avoiding caffeine, this is found in quantity in things like coffee, tea, colas and sadly even chocolate and it is known that its stimulant properties make tinnitus (those noises in your ear) symptoms worse;
Stop smoking as this is known to make Meneire’s Disease that much worse;
Avoid MSG also known as monosodium glutamate, and it is found in most processed foods, as well as most foods in chinese restaurants (you can ask for your food to be prepared MSG free and as this is a common request most Chinese restaurants are happy to oblige, at least with some of their dishes). MSG causes fluid retention and is considered an excitototoxins along with aspartame. A full understanding of excitototoxins is not available but it is considered they have something to do with a number of emotional problems, including depression, ADD, ADHD, rage disorder and even paranoia;
Limit salt carefully. Again you want to prevent fluid retention;
Try to manage stress and anxiety, as it really does not help, warm baths with sea salt and lavender, can work wonders;
Avoid known allergens, like pollen and dust. Fluctuating Hearing Loss And Tinnitus
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