Have you ever come out of a concert with your ears 'ringing'? If so you'll know how uncomfortable it can feel. Unfortunately for tinnitus sufferers, this sensation can be continuous. Tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom caused by a variety of other conditions. It affects around 7 million people in the U.K and is common in all age groups. There are many people suffering but don't know what it is or, more importantly, how to deal with it.

Tinnitus comes from the Latin word tinnire "to ring", which is a common subjective description from those experiencing it. It has also been described as a high pitched 'hissing', 'buzzing', 'whistling' or 'whoosing' sensation in either one or both ears, but only heard by the sufferer.

These sensations can be intermittent (lasting only several seconds), continuous (persistently there in the background and worse in a quiet environment) or pulsatile (beating in time with your pulse). The loudness will often vary in its intensity.

The exact mechanism for how the noise is produced is not known. One theory is that injured cochlear hair cells discharge repetitively and stimulate auditory nerve fibres in a continuous cycle. Another idea is it can be due to spontaneous activity in individual auditory nerve fibres causing false information to be transmitted to the brain.

Managing the symptom is especially helped by figuring out what may be the underlying cause. It is advisable to seek the advice of a medical practitioner if you are unsure or worried and if your symptoms are persistent and disturbing your quality of life.

What are the causes?

Disorders of the outer ear

  • Ear wax and catarrh
  • perforated eardrum
  • foreign body

Disorders of the middle ear

  • otosclerosis
  • ear infections

Disorders of the inner ear

  • exposure to loud noise
  • noise induced hearing loss
  • conditions such as Meniere's disease or Acoustic Neuroma

  • whiplash injuries to the head and neck
  • impaction to the ear
  • emotional stress
  • a side effect of medications such as aspirin, antibiotics, diuretics and chemotherapy

Cure or Manage?

There is no one specific cure or treatment for Tinnitus. Symptom management will depend on the underlying cause. Everyone copes and manages in different ways; here are some well known techniques which may help:

  • Difficulty sleeping -try listening to relaxation CDs with soft ambient sounds.

  • Feel anxious and stressed with it - complementary therapies like reflexology, acupuncture or homoeopathy may help as well as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy.

  • Diet - avoid high levels of caffeine and nicotine as they can cause an increase in symptoms.

  • Distract the brain - electronic devices that produce sounds to mask the Tinnitus can be very effective. These are often called Tinnitus Maskers which are hearing aid like devices attached to the ear which generate and emit low level noises.

  • Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) - helps the brain learn to ignore the tinnitus by using a sound generator combined with ongoing counselling sessions.

  • Alternative therapies such as Hopi Ear Candles, Naturopathy, Hypnosis, Acupuncture and Homeopathy cannot directly cure Tinnitus but can help improve your sense of general health and well being and ability to tolerate the symptoms.

It has been known that patients (suffering with Tinnitus) receiving Chiropractic treatment for associated neck and jaw problems have experienced symptomatic relief from the tinnitus. Chiropractic however is not a cure for Tinnitus.

Knowledge and Support - Find as much information as you can to help yourself. Support groups can help give emotional support by sharing experiences and coping strategies.

MRI

What is it?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses exceptionally strong magnetic and radio frequency waves to generate images of the human body. These images provide a very detailed diagnostic picture.

Chiropractic and MRI

MRI is a common choice of diagnostic imaging for Chiropractors. The images help to diagnose specific problems within the spinal cord, intervertebral discs, spinal vertebra and soft tissues around the spine which can go undetected by x-rays.

If a referral is appropriate Wickford Chiropractic Clinic is able to refer patients via their G.P or directly for MRI scans. As with all technology, the costs of scans is now at its cheapest; MRI scans taken privately now range from £250 -£500 dependant on the centre at which they are taken and most will provide a Radiologist report with the scan within a week of the scan being taken.


Questions and Answers
Do you have a question or concern?
Call, write in or email us:
contact@wickfordchiro.co.uk

Booking enquiries email:
reception@wickfordchiro.co.uk

29 Ethelred Gardens
Wickford
SS11 7EX
01268 561825
wickfordchiro.co.uk


to unsubscribe click here
if this email doesn't display correctly, view the online version