Tinnitus

Causes and Symptoms

• Wax buildup : Many people suffering from tinnitus may experience hearing loss because of wax buildup in the ears. The American Tinnitus Association suggests visiting an audiologist to have your ears checked and the condition assessed before taking more aggressive measures. When excess ear wax is removed, some hearing may be regained reducing the interference and noise from the tinnitus.
• Loud noises : Avoid exposure to loud noises and music to protect ears. Loud noises can cause additional damage to the ear, and be extremely painful to those with existing tinnitus.
• It should be noted that taking high doses of aspirin could be a contributing factor to tinnitus. Consequently, herbs with aspirin-like properties, such as willow bark, wintergreen and meadowsweet, should be avoided.

Home remedies

• Get plenty of healthy physical activity, including moderate exercise to improve blood circulation.
• Exercise and physical activity is a must in order to veer away from many kinds of health conditions and deficiencies. Regular physical activity is important for tinnitus relief as it promotes better circulation to the different organs and tissues, it cleanses the body from toxins and it also improves balance and relieves stress. It is said that one of the probable causes of tinnitus is poor blood flow. Engaging in physical activity improves one’s blood flow to the structures of the ear. However, before engaging in any particular physical activity, evaluation as to the level of fitness must be done in order to perform the right physical activities that are fit for one’s current status. Walking, jogging, biking, meditation, swimming, martial arts, dancing, aerobics and gymnastics are just some of the physical activities you could perform.
• Consume an anti-tinnitus diet that is high in protein with lots of fruits and vegetables.
• The wonders brought about by the high levels of vitamins that are contained in fruits and vegetables are evident in preventing and relieving tinnitus cases. An anti-tinnitus diet must include high protein and nutrient dense foods like olive oil, grass-fed meat, coconut, and non-starchy vegetables. Fruits must also be low in sugar but with rich antioxidants like berries, lime and grapefruits. A protein-rich diet is also recommended for tinnitus patients like grains, eggs, fruits, milk, yoghurt, poultry, nuts, seeds and many more. However, proper balance as to the amount of protein intake must be observed for too much may lead to other kinds of diseases.
• Use anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, ginger, dandelion, oregano and garlic : These anti-inflammatory herbs are natural cures that are readily available in our homes or in the market. These can be applied in different ways. You can use garlic extract boiled in mustard oil and apply it unto both ears when cooled down. You may use one or two drops for each ear. It gives great benefit since garlic is known to dissolve clots. When the primary cause of tinnitus is injury, a teaspoon of turmeric powder can be taken orally with milk because its healing power has been proven over the years.
• Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, sugar and salt : Foods high in saturated fats and trans-fats are not recommended for anyone, especially those who are treating tinnitus. Saturated fats increase bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, often leading to a condition called atherosclerosis which is a risk factor in heart disease but at the same time significantly reduces blood flow, a main factor for the development of tinnitus. Excess salt also has the same effect. It restricts the blood vessels, increase blood pressure and reduces blood flow to the eyes, ears and brain.
• Use supplements such as pycnogenol, resveratrol, and grape seed extract : Along with the above-mentioned remedies, one can also resort to taking supplements like pycnogenol, resveratrol and grape seed extract. These supplements contain anti-oxidants that limit the damage of free radicals and inflammation. These anti-oxidants enhance blood flow to all parts of the body, including the ears. A study conducted by Chieti-Pescara University in Italy proves that pycnogenol has the ability to improve vascular function and restore cochlear blood perfusion, which can lead to the relief of tinnitus symptoms. Grape seed extracts and resveratrol can also help in tinnitus since resveratrol supplements reduce the risk of blood clotting and inflammation, factors that can lead to the development of tinnitus.
• Thiamine : this vitamin B has been noted to help relieve tinnitus via a stabilization of the nervous system, especially in the inner ear .
• Vitamin B12 to help maintain blood and nerve function associated with tinnitus.
• CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10) : Previous clinical trials were conducted to ascertain the effects of CoEnzyme Q10 on patients with tinnitus. In 2007, the journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery reported those findings, noting that CoQ10 may be helpful for certain people for reducing noises in the ears from tinnitus depending on the nature of their condition. Additionally, chiropractor Dr. James Fettig recommends taking CoQ10 to relieve tinnitus symptoms. He discusses how the supplement generates energy in cell mitochondria helping to prevent heart attacks and strokes as well as ringing in the ears by increasing overall blood flow. He recommends 200 mg of high potency, highly absorbable CoQ10 daily. Consult your natural health practitioner for personalized dosing guidelines.
• Caffeine : Caffeine may reduce the flow of blood to the head, neck and ears constricting capillaries and other small blood vessels. This can, in turn, aggravate your tinnitus symptoms.
• Salt : High salt intake can raise blood pressure, causing tinnitus and hypertension. If you are susceptible to the effects of sodium, reducing your salt intake is an important step in helping to lower your blood pressure and possibly reduce the intensity of the ringing in your ears.
• Zinc : Tinnitus is also linked to a deficiency in zinc. Zinc supplementation could thus be useful, as could the consumption of zinc-rich foods such as pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, pecans and oysters.
• Magnesium : Magnesium could help relieve the symptoms of tinnitus sufferers. Dr Seidman recommended supplementing with 400 mg per day.
• Goldenseal : In his book The Herbal Handbook, David Hoffmann, a British herbalist, wrote that goldenseal could be helpful for some cases of tinnitus.
• Sesame Seeds : Some Chinese herbalists recommend the use of sesame seeds for treating tinnitus. You could add these seeds to the foods you consume or use tahini, the bread spread made from sesame seeds.
• Ginkgo Biloba : While some proponents claim that ginkgo can help treat tinnitus by improving the health of blood vessels, there is very little scientific support for this claim. Ginkgo Biloba has a wide pharmacological profile which includes metabolic, anti-ischemic, radical scavenging, anti-edema, and anti-hypoxic actions. The main cause of tinnitus is the drop of blood supply in the ear, and if the pharmacological action of ginkgo biloba is to be observed, it could lead to a clinical efficiency for this condition.
• Dietary Taurine supplementation eliminated tinnitus (constant ringing in the ears) in rats. Higher amounts (4 mg/mL vs 1 mg/mL) and frequencies of taurine supplementation yielded better results. The GABA like calming action of taurine in the brain auditory circuits may be responsible for this improvement.

Warnings

Since tinnitus may signal an underlying health problem (including high blood pressure, tumors, allergies, or cardiovascular disorders), it's important to consult your doctor as soon as possible if you're experiencing tinnitus symptoms. Avoiding or delaying doctor-prescribed treatment and using ginkgo to relieve your symptoms may have serious health consequences.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.