Tinnitus
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- What is tinnitus?
- Symptoms of tinnitus
- Causes of tinnitus
- Prevention of tinnitus
- Risk factors for tinnitus
- Complications of tinnitus
- When to see a doctor about tinnitus
- Diagnosis of tinnitus
- Conventional treatment of tinnitus
- Alternative/complementary treatment of tinnitus
- Living with tinnitus
- Caring for someone with tinnitus
Alternative/complementary treatment of tinnitus
There are a number of alternative / complementary therapy options in the treatment of tinnitus, which aim to treat the underlying cause of the condition and strengthen the immune system. People with tinnitus need to check with their doctor before trying any of the therapies recommended.
Herbs
There are a number of herbs which may help to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus by improving the underlying cause:
- Echinacea - the herb echinacea has potent anti-viral properties which may assist with healing tinnitus that is due to a viral infection of the ear or other part of the upper respiratory system
- Ginkgo biloba - studies show the herb ginkgo biloba may help to increase blood circulation, including to the ear and may help to reduce symptoms (but one recent study has claimed that there is no benefit)
- Olive leaf - studies show that the herb olive leaf has potent anti-viral properties which may assist with healing tinnitus that is due to a viral infection of the ear or other part of the upper respiratory system
Vitamins
There are a number of vitamins which may help to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus by improving the underlying cause:
- Bioflavonoids - studies show that the bioflavonoids, together with vitamin C, have potent antioxidant properties that help with healing
- Folic acid - studies show that a deficiency in folic acid (folate) can be responsible in causing tinnitus symptoms in some people so supplementation may be necessary once blood tests have confirmed a deficiency exists
- Vitamin A - studies show that the antioxidant vitamin A provides a boost to the immune system to fight off a viral or bacterial infection and it also may help to reduce inflammation in the middle ear, by ensuring all mucous membranes are healthy
- Vitamin B12 - studies show that a deficiency in vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) can be responsible in causing tinnitus symptoms in some people so supplementation may be necessary once blood tests have confirmed a deficiency exists
- Vitamin C - studies show that vitamin C, together with bioflavonoids have potent antioxidant properties that help with healing
- Vitamin E - studies show the antioxidant vitamin E helps to enable healing to happen more quickly which helps to reduce symptoms overall
Minerals
There are a number of minerals which may help to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus by improving the underlying cause:
- Magnesium - the mineral magnesium relaxes all of the tissues in the body, especially the smooth tissues, so may help with feelings of stress and anxiety associated with long-term symptoms. In addition to this, studies show that magnesium therapy is very effective in preventing hearing loss and healing it if it occurs (within a specific timeframe)
- Manganese - studies show that a deficiency in manganese can be responsible in causing tinnitus symptoms in some people so supplementation may be necessary once blood tests have confirmed a deficiency exists
- Selenium - studies show the antioxidant mineral selenium helps to boost the immune system during a viral infection and this may reduce the severity and duration of symptoms
- Zinc - a deficiency in zinc may be responsible in causing tinnitus symptoms in some people, so supplementation may be necessary once blood tests have confirmed a deficiency exists. Studies also show the antioxidant mineral zinc, may help the body heal more quickly from any type of viral infection
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Other nutrients
There are a number of other nutrients which may help to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus by improving the underlying cause:
- Alpha lipoic acid - studies show that alpha-lipoic acid has potent antioxidant properties that boost the function of the immune system. Alpha-lipoic acid can help to reduce the severity of symptoms, especially when the tinnitus is caused by any type of viral infection
- Coenzyme Q10- a recent study showed when people with chronic tinnitus were supplemented with coenzyme Q10 (especially if there blood levels were low), had improvement in their symptoms during the trial (while they were underoing supplementation with coenzyme Q10). This is the first study of this type and more will be needed to confirm these results
- Garlic - studies show that the herb garlic has potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties and may assist with healing more quickly and reducing the symptoms of tinnitus, especially when it is caused (or initiated) by a viral or bacterial infection
- Omega 3 fatty acids - studies show that omega-3 essential fatty acids can assist people who have lots of ear wax in their ears, that could be causing the tinnitus symptoms. In addition to this, omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce any type of inflammation in the ear
Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modifications which may help to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus by improving the underlying cause:
- Avoid alcohol - heavy drinking is a risk factor for developing tinnitus, so limiting alcohol is advisable
- Eat more vegetables - eating adequate amounts of vegetables every day will provide the nutrients necessary to help the body to heal. Especially beneficial are the dark green leafy vegetables, which are dense in nutrients
- Limit processed foods - it is really important to reduce intake of processed foods, as they can cause a burden on the body to try to digest them and get rid of the toxins they produce. Besides this, processed foods have little nutritional value, so do not provide any functional benefits
Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle modifications which may help to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus by improving the underlying cause:
- Don't smoke - cigarette smoking will only exacerbate symptoms, so don't smoke and avoid other people's second hand smoke
- More fluids - drink more water, juice and herbal teas to help hydrate the middle ear and help it heal more quickly
- Rest - enabling the body to rest, by lying down and doing very little, will give the body the best chance to heal itself if a viral infection has caused the tinnitus
Alternative treatments
- Acupuncture - several studies show that acupuncture may be used to help treat the underlying cause of the tinnitus and reduce symptomes. Always seek a qualified and recommended therapist
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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