What are some remedies to alleviate tinnitus?
Saturday, September 19th, 2009 at
9:52 pm
I have a persistent ringing and zing zing sound in my ears that will not go away. The doctor just told me it was tinnitus and not much could be done. Help.
Filed under: Tinnitus
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The following tips may help you reduce symptoms of tinnitus.
Cut back on or eliminate alcohol and beverages containing caffeine.
Stop smoking and stop using smokeless tobacco products. Nicotine use makes tinnitus worse by reducing blood flow to the structures of the ear.
Limit your use of aspirin, products containing aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Exercise regularly. Exercise improves blood flow to the structures of the ear. However, avoid extended periods of exercise, such as bicycle riding, that keep your neck in a hyperextended position. For more information, see the topic Fitness.
While waiting to see whether tinnitus goes away, or if your health professional has advised you that your tinnitus will be present for a long time, try these methods to cope with the constant noise:
Limit or avoid exposure to the noises you suspect are causing your tinnitus. If you cannot avoid loud noises, wear protective earplugs or earmuffs.
Try to ignore the sound by directing your attention to other things.
Practice relaxation techniques, such as biofeedback, meditation, or yoga. Stress and fatigue seem to make tinnitus worse.
Quiet rooms can cause tinnitus to seem more distracting. Background noise may reduce the amount of noise you hear. Play music or white noise when you are trying to fall asleep or anytime you find yourself in a quiet place. You may consider buying a machine that makes soothing sounds, such as ocean waves.
Try the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba. Some studies suggest that it may help relieve tinnitus, but other studies do not show a benefit. Further studies are needed to determine the best dosage.
While there are drugs specifically for tinnitus, they appear to be of limited utility for most tinnitus patients. If your physician has ruled out the major concerns and still has little or nothing to offer, I would suggest you find a respected Chiropractor to asess the neurological, nutritional, and biomechanical status.