A universal dilemma, tinnitus is a ringing or noise in the ear that has an effect on about 1 in 5 people. It is not an illness alone, but it is a symptom of a core issue, like hearing loss due to age, an injury to the ear, or a circulatory system disorder. Therefore, if you treat the primary cause, it is most likely to resolve itself. Still, there are other ways tinnitus can be treated that will help elevate some of the problem.
As you age, you are more likely to experience tinnitus because the amount of nerve fibers in your ears declines. Smokers are also more likely to feel this irritation. Statistically men are more likely to have incidents of tinnitus than women. This is not to say that these are the only people who will ever encounter tinnitus. It can affect anybody at any time.
There are a number of reasons that can cause tinnitus. Besides the reasons listed above, there is also high blood pressure, exposure to loud noise, and earwax blockage to name a few more. Relieving these conditions should relieve the tinnitus, but then there are medications that can cause tinnitus, and for this reason, it may not be so simple to remedy the problem.
Although tinnitus is not fatal, it can cause other irritants to the person experiencing it. These issues include fatigue, depression, and trouble concentrating. This can adversely affect the person’s way of life. For this reason, people want relief and they want it fast. Treating these and the other extra issues that come with the problem may not help the tinnitus, but it would help you feel better.
Some of the ways a person can help his or herself without going to the doctor are avoiding excess noise, avoiding stress, and avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol consumption. Many people do not realize that alcohol consumption leads to many more medical issues than simply drunkenness. As far as tinnitus is concerned, it affects the blood flow to the inner ear, which complicates the problem further.
A person should see a doctor if he or she experience tinnitus for longer than a week, or if it simply bothers him or her enough to seek medical attention. The doctor will then ask a series of questions about the person’s medical history, when the problem began, and what does the noise or ringing sound like. Then the doctor will exam and run some tests to find the underlying cause of the tinnitus. If the issue cannot be resolved any other way, the doctor may prescribe a hearing aide, a change of medication, or surgery.
It is important to remember that tinnitus is a symptom of some other issue. That is why it is vital to not ignore the problem for longer than a week, and to seek medical attention. It is also important to take the best care of yourself in the meantime and not aggravate the issue. It may not be fatal, but it can change your life.
