Ear Strain And Sinus Infections
From sore throats to stuffy noses, sinus infections bring about lots of unwelcome symptoms.
Headaches, sinus pressure, and pressure in the ears are common symptoms of a sinus infection. A ringing, clicking, or buzzing can be the outcome.
Nasal congestion frequently spreads to the ears during a sinus infection. This can produce accumulated earwax, which causes clogged ears and extreme pressure on the eardrums. Pressure on the little bones of the inner ear can trigger tinnitus symptoms.
You might not need to go to a hearing professional if the ringing is the result of a sinus infection, as the symptoms could improve on their own. If the ringing continues for more than a few days, however, you should schedule an appointment with a hearing professional.
It Seems That The Combination Of Tinnitus And Postural Instability Begins As A Cervical Pain Syndrome
In January 2021, publishing in The International Tinnitus Journal, Henk M Koning, MD, Ph.D., also noted that:
In patients with tinnitus as the main complaint, 64% of the patients have also cervical pain, and in patients with cervical pain as the main complaint, 44% of the patients have tinnitus. Both groups of patients have in common a high prevalence of postural instability and dizziness, degeneration of the intervertebral disc between the fifth and seventh cervical vertebrae, and a large anterior spur in front of the fifth cervical vertebrae. Patients with cervical pain as the main complaint have more degeneration of the intervertebral disc between the third and fourth cervical vertebrae, a larger anterior spur in front of the third cervical vertebrae, and more loss of cervical lordosis.
Postural instability is an important discriminant factor in patients with cervical pain and in patients with tinnitus as the main complaint. In patients with cervical pain postural instability was associated with the occurrence of tinnitus. In patients with tinnitus, there is evidence for two profiles of somatic tinnitus, discriminated by the occurrence of postural instability and low-frequency hearing loss. It seems that the combination of tinnitus and postural instability begins as a cervical pain syndrome and that the tinnitus aggravates in time. . .
How Can A Sinus Infection Affect Your Ears
Most sinusitis-related ear problems, including tinnitus, are caused by the congestion that occurs during a sinus infection. To better understand this phenomenon, lets take a second to review a few facts about sinusitis.
Sinusitis most frequently occurs when a virus or bacteria irritates the tissues of your sinus cavities. This irritation can lead to swelling which, in turn, can lead to mucus buildup and congestion.
Your sinus cavities and ears are interconnected systems, so congestion in the sinuses can create ear congestion, as well. Congestion in the ear may block the tube known as the Eustachian Tube that connects the middle ear to the outer ear and helps regulate pressure within the ear. When the Eustachian Tube is blocked, the pressure is allowed to build up around the eardrum, which is ultimately what causes ringing in the ears, aka tinnitus.
Whether you have an acute sinus infection or a sinus infection that wont go away, so long as the congestion is severe enough, it can cause tinnitus.
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Could You Have Tinnitus
How do you know if you have it? Your doctor will make the final call, but you can ask yourself these questions.
Do you hear a noise that people around you don’t hear? When you have tinnitus, you’re the only one who notices the ringing, buzzing, or other noise. Other people don’t.
Do you take medication? More than 200 drugs can cause tinnitus, especially when you start or stop taking them. These include pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen, as well as certain antibiotics, diuretics, aspirin, and chemotherapy medicines.
The form that tinnitus takes can vary, depending on the drug and its dose. Don’t stop taking a medication without talking to your doctor first.
Are you around loud sounds? Lots of blaring noises where you live or work can cause hearing loss that triggers tinnitus. Those sounds could include roaring machines, lawn equipment, concerts, and sporting events.
Tinnitus can build up over the years or stem from a single loud event, like an engine backfire. Stay away from loud noises if you can. If you can’t, wear ear protection. And turn that music down.
Do you have a cold or ear infection? Congestion, along with ear and sinus infections, can cause pressure to build up in your inner ear. The same thing can happen if you have too much ear wax. That pressure can cause tinnitus.
Treating the cause should ease your symptoms. But long-term blockage sometimes leads to having the hearing condition permanently.
Tinnitus Relief And Treatment
A word of caution here it is better to go in for a natural and holistic treatment of this condition since a lot of medication used as decongestant can inadvertently lead to worsening of the tinnitus condition. Most cases of nasal congestion are easily dealt with by the bodys own immune system. The most effective way of assisting the body in its own ways of healing is to provide support with plenty of rest and making sure that the condition does not worsen to give rise to other complications.
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What Causes Pulsatile Tinnitus
Some cases of pulsatile tinnitus are caused by a narrowing of one of the large veins in the brain . The narrowing, or stenosis, disrupts the flow of blood and can lead to the whooshing sound or other noises of pulsatile tinnitus.
Pulsatile tinnitus can be caused by problems in the arteries or veins of the head, neck, or both. A 2013 review of the current literature indicated that about 28 percent of pulsatile tinnitus cases were due to venous causes, 23 percent were arterial, 18 percent were arteriovenous, and 31 percent were due to other or unknown causes. More than half of the venous cases of pulsatile tinnitus were due to idiopathic intracranial hypertension , which has recently been associated with venous stenosis.
Many cases of pulsatile tinnitus can be traced to stenosis in one of the large veins in the brain, most commonly the traverse and sigmoid sinuses. The narrowing of the veins causes a disturbance in the blood flow, contributing to the whooshing sounds of pulsatile tinnitus. A new clinical trial for pulsatile tinnitus shows great promise that inserting a stent to widen the veins will restore healthy blood flow and eliminate the symptoms .
Other conditions that can lead to changes in blood flow and result in pulsatile tinnitus include:
It is critically important to identify the underlying condition causing the pulsatile tinnitus treating and resolving that condition is the key to ending the noise.
What People Are Being Told The Issue Is
- sinus infection sinusitis
- some are diagnosed with otosclerosis
- constriction at the back of the neck can cause/add to these symptoms
- advised to see neurologist when there’s dizziness and pressure
- many doctors refer to stress and anxiety as a cause for pressure, dizziness, tingling, numbness, ringing, etc
- some tell that if there’s jaw pain with ear discomfort and jaw makes a popping noise it can be a dental issue? TMD
- thyroid issues
- GAS linked to depleted adrenals
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Things That Make Tinnitus Worse
Is tinnitus getting worse? Here are some factors which cause tinnitus to get worse.
1. Loud Noises
Loud noises, such as those from heavy equipment, chain saws, and firearms, are common sources of noise-related hearing loss.
Portable music devices, such as MP3 players or iPods, also can cause noise-related hearing loss if played loudly for long periods.
Tinnitus caused by short-term exposure, such as attending a loud concert, usually goes away long-term exposure to loud sound can cause permanent damage. This way loud noise can worsen the tinnitus to a large extent.
2. Medicines And Antidepressants
Medications may worsen tinnitus to a large extent. Higher the doses of medications, the greater the risk of tinnitus. Thus the stage of tinnitus is directly proportional to the dose of medications. The causes are as follows:
- Antibiotics, including polymyxin B, erythromycin, vancomycin, and neomycin
- Cancer medications, including mechlorethamine and vincristine
- Water pills , such as bumetanide, ethacrynic acid or furosemide
- Quinine medications used for malaria or other health conditions
- Certain antidepressants may worsen tinnitus
- Aspirin taken in uncommonly high doses
3. Stress, Anxiety, And Depression
Unmanaged stress, anxiety, fatigue contributes to increasing tinnitus. Time management and desirable stress help in the efficient functioning of the system.
4. Jaw Problems
5. Earwax
6. Infections
7. Allergies
8. Blood Pressure
9. Sleep Problems
10. Migraines
Tinnitus After Head Injury: Understanding Causes And Treatment
Barbara Brewer, COTA Flint Rehab
Head injuries can sometimes lead to a persistent ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus.
Tinnitus is not a disease but rather a symptom of another underlying problem. Therefore, treatment for tinnitus after a head injury will depend on diagnosing the root cause.
In this article, you will learn the possible causes of tinnitus following a head injury as well as how to treat it. Well also provide different ways to adjust if treatment is not possible.
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Laterality And Severity Seem To Correlate
Another study sought to further understand the relationship between migraine and tinnitus by looking at nearly 200 participants with tinnitus and migraines. The researchers found a significant association between tinnitus and headache laterality, meaning that a person with tinnitus in the right ear tended to also have their head pain on the right side, and the same went for the left side.
In addition, the severity of tinnitus and headache coincided in nearly half of the participants. So when their head pain became more severe, their tinnitus did too, and vice versa.
Central sensitization may explain the tinnitus-migraine link. Central sensitization occurs when your brain and spinal cord develop a heightened sensitivity to both things that should hurt, like a needle prick, and things that shouldn’t hurt, like a regular touch.
Something At C2 The Dorsal Root Ganglion
That researchers and clinicians are making a connection between what is happening in the cervical spine in tinnitus patients is expressed by a study concerning Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment. This is a treatment that we do not use. We have been offering cervical spine therapies for almost three decades and based on our experiences and that of our patients, we have not found these treatments to be more effective than our current treatments of regenerative medicine injections. So lets look at this research, it is not so much about the treatment but an observation of the C2 vertebrae.
Many of you may have already tried or are at least familiar with Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment. An electrode is applied to the impacted nerves and electrical stimulation is offered. The hope is that the treatment will provide pain relief by altering the nerves currents and transmissions.
In this September 2019 study in The International Tinnitus Journal researchers wrote:
The second cervical nerve ganglion bar appears to be beneficial in patients with treatment safe tinnitus The point of this investigation was to decide the adequacy of beat radiofrequency of C2 dorsal root ganglion for treating patients with tinnitus, and all the more explicitly, to survey the parameters related to a long haul advantage so as to improve understanding determination.
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Tinnitus & Ear Pressure
Are you experiencing intermittent ringing or fullness in your ear? Does it feel wet but its dry? How about weird sensations on your face or around the eye? If so, I completely understand how these feelings can seriously impact your quality of life. You often feel very drained, fatigued, and irritated due to the consistent annoyance in the ear throughout the day and especially before sleep. Many times, people that are experiencing these symptoms take a course of antibiotics which usually does not make any difference after few days. Often they see many specialists and after all the test results are negative, they are left clueless and dont have anywhere to go.
Ive been successfully treating people with these problems on a regular basis and thats why I have decided to write this exclusive report to make sure you are taking the right steps to correct this problem. This helpful document will include the proper course of action to take to reduce your symptoms and get back to a normal life. Dont let ear problems get in your way of living an enjoyable lifestyle!
Imagine how life would be in 3 months if you could reduce the ringing in the ear? Your life will be less stressful so you can accomplish your goals and enjoy what you love to do. Start easing your pain immediately by downloading this free report and scroll down to read more about Tinnitus.
Heres to your health,
Andrew Seo, DPT
Auditory Pathways And Tinnitus
Sound waves travel through the ear canal to the middle and inner ear, where hair cells in part of the cochlea help transform sound waves into electrical signals that then travel to the brain’s auditory cortex via the auditory nerve. When hair cells are damaged by loud noise or ototoxic drugs, for example the circuits in the brain don’t receive the signals they’re expecting. This stimulates abnormal activity in the neurons, which results in the illusion of sound, or tinnitus.
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Masking As A Coping Mechanism
In those cases where tinnitus cannot be cured, the alternative is to learn different ways to manage it. One popular technique that many tinnitus patients use is called masking.
With masking, a small device that resembles a hearing aid isworn . This device produces customized sounds thatdrown out the annoying ringing noise of tinnitus.
You can also use standard masking sounds such as music, nature sounds, or white noise from a fan.
In some cases, masking actually engages neuroplasticity and retrains the brain to tune out annoying or repetitive sounds. Eventually, the person may not need to use masking anymore.
This technique does not always work, however. As a result, patientsmay need to rely on masking for most of their lives.
Central Sensitization In Migraines And Tinnitus
In migraines, scientists believe that pain fibers that originate from the trigeminal nerve, which is the largest cranial nerve, release inflammatory peptides like substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide . These peptides could cause the throbbing pain associated with a migraine.
After repeated migraine attacks, central sensitization may occur, which could be the trigger for the development of tinnitus. On the other hand, it could be that tinnitus in one ear sensitizes the trigeminal nerve system, resulting in migraines on that same side of the head.
It’s hard to know for sure at this point, although research shows that headaches tend to precede tinnitus, so the first theory may be more plausible. Or there could be a totally different factor that we don’t know about yet that’s triggering both the migraines and tinnitus.
All in all, experts aren’t sure yet why there’s a connection between migraine and tinnitus. Regardless, research suggests the combined occurrence of head pain and ear ringing likely has a biological basis. In other words, it’s not just a coincidence.
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Research On Cervical Instability And Prolotherapy A Mechanical Approach To Tinnitus
In the research above, a case is laid out for the treatment of cervical spine instability in patients with tinnitus. As pointed out, not every case of tinnitus can be attributed to tinnitus but it may be likely that more cases than are reported of tinnitus induced cervical spine instability exist. Certainly, at our center, we see many people with this connection because this is what we treat.
Above you read about cervical manipulation, physical therapy, and exercise programs for the treatment of tinnitus. In this section, I will explain our Prolotherapy program.
Medical research validating the use of Comprehensive Prolotherapy, from simple dextrose injections to stem cell prolotherapy injections is not new. There are decades years of research supporting the use of Prolotherapy for problems of the neck and head.
Caring Medical has published dozens of papers on Prolotherapy injections as a treatment in difficult-to-treat musculoskeletal disorders. Prolotherapy is an injection technique utilizing simple sugar or dextrose. We are going to refer to two of these studies as they relate to cervical instability and a myriad of related symptoms including the problem of tinnitus. It should be pointed out that we suggest in our research that Additional randomized clinical trials and more research into its use will be needed to verify its potential to reverse ligament laxity and correct the attendant cervical instability. Our research documents our experience with our patients.
Tinnitus After Head Injury
Tinnitus causes persistent ringing in the ear after a head injury and is often disturbing and disruptive. It occurs for a variety of reasons, including changes to the way the brain processes sound.
There is no cure for tinnitus, but there are ways to manage it. To find the best course of action, make an appointment with an Audiologist. They may determine the precise cause of your tinnitus and suggest ways to approach treatment.
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Can I Decrease My Tinnitus By Utilizing A Masking Device Or White Noise Generator
In order to answer this question, we have to consider two possibilities: can I decrease my tinnitus by utilizing a masking device or white noise generator? And can high blood pressure make tinnitus worse?
The first thing we need to do is make sure we understand what we are asking. A white noise generator masks the ringing in ones ears and a masking device is a tool that aids in this process. We know that white noise and masking devices do not actually
stop tinnitus from occurring, so what they do is reduce the annoyance caused by it.
The first way to decrease your tinnitus is through a masking device.
For instance, we all know that the most common way to decrease tinnitus is to put on a headphone and listen to soft music. This works great for most people because they already have some kind of music playing in their ear, so all they need to do is put on headphones and it will reduce the severity of the ringing.
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