Everything you Need to Know About Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the ringing, clicking, buzzing or any other type of the noise in the ears or head, which originates from no external source. It is not an illness but a symptom of any other condition such as ear trauma, infection, hearing loss, anemia, overactive thyroid, Meniere's disease, and several other problems. The blog discusses more about the disease, symptoms, and treatment an audiologist in Houston, TX or any other state would prescribe:

Symptoms of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is not a severe problem in many cases, but it could be extremely disturbing for the patient. A person suffering from Tinnitus hears a buzzing or ringing noise. The sound sometimes is accompanied by dizziness and hearing loss, also known as Meniere's disease.

Diagnosis of Tinnitus

During the initial medical evaluation, the doctor asks for the complete history of the patient and performs a physical examination of head and neck. A hearing test, also known as audiogram, is performed to detect the problem. The doctor also checks the blood pressure and prescribes some blood tests to evaluate the functioning of thyroid gland. The doctor performs a spinal tap, in a rare case, to check the fluid pressure in the skull and spinal cord.

When to Seek Medical Care?

Tinnitus is usually a symptom of a hidden medical problem and an individual needs to see the doctor if the problem begins all of a sudden. There's no treatment for tinnitus, but the doctor treats the underlying condition that is causing the problem. If, for instance, the patient has an ear infection that is causing tinnitus, the doctor prescribes antibiotics to treat both the conditions. The treatment of tinnitus depends on its cause. The doctor might recommend medications, lifestyle changes, biofeedback and stress management techniques to the patient.

Other things to take care of

There's no one treatment for tinnitus unless the doctor finds out the underlying cause of the problem and treats it. Patients may adopt certain measures, change their lifestyle, and practice therapies to reduce the disturbing impact of tinnitus. A few things to take care of include:

• If tinnitus bothers an individual when trying to sleep, the sound of radio, white noise machine or a fan might bring relief
• Symptoms of tinnitus might get worse when an individual is under stress. It is advisable to look for some stress relaxation techniques
• Avoid caffeine as this alleviates the problem
• Avoid intake of aspirin products in large quantity

It is important that the patient follows up with the doctor for further tests and evaluation of tinnitus. If the tinnitus is not because of any other illness, the patient needs to take the medication and undergo therapy recommended by the doctor.

7 Easy Tips to Prevent Allergic Asthma Attacks

Allergies are a common health issue in the US, with symptoms ranging from sneezing, watery eyes to nasal congestion. It a result of the body immune system’s response to substances that are not actually dangerous. Simply put, allergies happen when the body produces antibodies that mistakenly identify harmless substances such as dust and pollen as invaders. In some cases, this allergic response affects your airways and lungs, leading to asthma. Though visiting an allergy and asthma clinic can get you the right treatment plan, taking some precautionary measures can keep allergens at bay. 

Here are seven useful tips in this direction. 

1. Clear your bedroom from stuffed toys and carpet

Carpet and stuffed toys capture a lot of dust. In fact, carpets installed over concrete floors prevent the evaporation of moisture and lead to mold. Therefore, people who are allergic to dust and pollen should either remove carpets from the floors or clean them up at least twice a week using a high-quality vacuum cleaner. 

2. Don’t allow pets on bed or furniture

Many people are fond of pets and treat them as their family members. Pet dander, however, is one of the biggest triggers that causes asthma attacks. If you are asthmatic, keep your pets off the bed and other furniture. 

3. Avoid getting exposed to secondhand smoke

Inhaling smoke, produced from any source, is a big ‘no’ if you have asthma. This is why you should avoid getting exposed to passive or secondhand smoke. Shun the public places and smoking zones at the workplace to control exposure to smoke. Furthermore, ensure you have smoke-free indoor spaces at your home. 

4. De-stress

Stress worsens asthma symptoms and may even aggravate the issue. People suffering from asthma should, therefore, avoid stress, whether it is related to personal or professional life. Meditating daily can help reduce stress and improve your mental/physical health. 

5. Limit your movement during the ragweed season 

The air we breathe undeniably plays a substantial role in our health and well-being. As dust and pollen trigger allergies and also cause asthma attacks, limit your movement during the ragweed season or use a mask if you suffer from allergies. In addition, avoid staying too much in warm and humid weather condition, as it may worsen the allergic reaction.  

6. Wash your hair at night

Washing your hair before going to bed is an effective way to rinse out the pollens, especially if you regularly use a gel or mousse. When you wash your hair, the trapped pollens get wiped and prevent allergic reaction while sleeping. 

7. Avoid using houseplants

Houseplants cheer you up, but they also trap a lot of dirt. When the plants get wet and warm, they often produce mold. Mold spores can get into lungs through your nose and trigger asthma. Though, if you can’t think of giving up your favorite plants, better avoid overwatering them. 

The Bottom Line

These simple strategies can help prevent allergy triggers and ensures asthma care. Allergies, however, can be mild to extreme that varies from case to case. It is, therefore, advisable to visit an allergy and asthma clinic in your area that can treat and also provide tips to prevent asthma attacks caused by allergens. 

7 Preventive Steps to Keep Off Allergies During the Pollen Season

Allergies, as most of us are familiar with, happen due to allergens such as dust, pollen, and pet dander. These substances, however, are harmless in themselves. People suffer from allergies when their immune system mistakenly considers the innocuous allergens as a threat to the body. Seeing an allergist in Texas can help you get the right treatment and solve your persistent allergy problem. Besides prescribing medicines, a good doctor can give you some important prevention tips. 

In this blog post, we have listed seven steps you can take to ward off allergies during the pollen season.

1. Avoid moving out during high pollen counts

Though staying indoors is the easiest way to avoid allergy symptoms during the pollen season, it is not possible all the time. However, you can, at least, limit your trips. There are several websites you can use to track the pollen count and plan your trips accordingly.

Note: Pollen counts are usually high in the morning.

2. Keep the air conditioner clean

Besides keeping the windows closed, keep your air conditioner turned on and regularly service its filters. We also recommend users to install a high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA filter, with a high ‘Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value’ or MERV rating, as it will both prevent pollen and growth of mold as well as increase the life of the air conditioner.

Must Read : Asthma and Allergy Tests: A User-centric Guide

3. Moderate indoor humidity

Take steps such as running the exhaust fans in the kitchen, bathrooms, and other areas to ventilate the house and keep the humidity low. This action will prevent the growth of mold and benefit people who are allergic to mold. Ideally, your aim should be to maintain the humidity levels below 60 percent. If required, use a dehumidifier as well.

4. Wash your hair before going to bed

Despite taking all precautions, a lot of pollen may collect in your hair during the daytime. Therefore, instead of shampooing in the morning, do it at night before going to bed. This practice will keep pollen and dust particles away from rubbing on the pillow.

5. Avoid an outdoor line for drying clothes

Avoid hanging your bedsheets and clothes outside during the spring season. Instead, use an indoor line for this purpose. This way you’ll eliminate the chances of allergens that may otherwise stick to your clothes.

6. Change clothes when you come from outside

Pollen collects on your clothes when you are outside, which can cause allergies. After returning home, therefore, take a shower and change your clothes, especially if you suffer from acute allergy.

7. Avoid using rugs and keep your shoes outside your bedroom

Rugs and carpets accumulate a lot of dust. Avoid using them, especially in your bedroom, during the spring season. Additionally, ensure you remove your shoes while entering the house.

Conclusion 

According to WebMD, a health and medical news publisher, development of allergies can be genetical as well, but not all of them. A child who has one allergic parent has a 33 percent and the other with both the parents allergic a 70 percent chance to develop allergies. Besides this, your current health plays a significant role in causing allergies. For instance, a person who has recently endured a viral infection is more likely to develop an allergy if they come into contact with an allergen during this period. Seeking a professional allergist in Texas, therefore, is the best way forward to learn more about the reasons behind your allergy symptoms and get proper treatment.