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.
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