Dizziness and ringing in the ears – Latest Health Report

Dizziness is a term used to describe several types of sensations, including faintness, weakness, or unsteadiness. The severe dizziness that creates the false feeling that the person or what is around them is moving is called vertigo, a condition that can affect everyday life and to which we have dedicated a separate article.

Dizziness and ringing in the ears that interfere with daily activities are also known by the medical terms “vertigo” and “tinnitus.” These symptoms can make it difficult for a person to relax, sleep or work. Listed below are 12 possible causes of these conditions and how they can be fixed.

Vestibular migraine

Meniere’s disease

Graves’ disease

Concussion

Acoustic neurinoma

Ischemic stroke

Aneurysm

Brain cancer

Sinusitis

Inflammation of the sinuses, caused by infection, is commonly known as sinusitis. Short-term cases of sinusitis are often caused by viral infections, such as the common cold. Chronic sinusitis can be the result of a bacterial infection.

The main symptoms of sinusitis are:

sinus pressure
thick, colored drainage from the nose
nasal congestion
cough
fatigue

A mild case of sinusitis can be treated at home with rest, fluids and pain relievers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. If the sinus infection persists, antibiotics may be needed.

In some rare cases, chronic sinusitis is caused by nasal polyps. The doctor may then recommend surgery to remove them.

The headache

Dizziness and ringing in the ears can be caused by headaches, with doctors identifying more than 150 types of headaches so far.

Common headache triggers include:

bad posture
dehydration
stress
weather or changes in air pressure
alcohol consumption
bright or strong lights

The type of pain experienced can help identify which headache a person is suffering from. For example, the feeling that a band is tight around the head indicates the presence of a tension headache. Tension headaches are often caused by changes in pressure or poor posture.

Rest and pain relievers can often help with minor headache symptoms. A cold compress on the forehead or back of the head, managing stress, and avoiding headache triggers (such as alcohol or flashing lights) may also help.

Tinnitus

Described by many as “ringing in the ears”, tinnitus is often caused by damage to the middle or inner ear. Certain types of headaches can also cause a “ringing in the ears”.

Tinnitus may seem worse at night when the person experiencing it is trying to sleep.

Among the home remedies available, distracting noises, including low-volume music or a fan, can make tinnitus easier to bear. Stress management and exercise can also help.

In terms of medical treatment, biofeedback and antidepressant medications can help relieve tinnitus symptoms.

Vertigo

Vertigo is more of a symptom than a disorder, giving the feeling that the person or what surrounds them is in motion. Typically, an inner ear disorder called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) can cause dizziness, nausea, and associated symptoms, with dizziness felt even when the person is lying in bed.

People who suffer from vertigo can try to rest when it occurs or walk around until the sensation goes away.

If BPPV is the problem, then a specialist doctor may suggest certain exercises to restore balance in the ear. There are head movement exercises that help move the small calcium carbonate crystals out of the ear that cause BPPV.

Medicines such as antihistamines and beta-blockers can also help if symptoms are severe.

Vestibular migraine

Vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that does not necessarily cause a headache but can cause symptoms such as vertigo and dizziness.

It is not always known what causes vestibular migraine, but we can distinguish some of its triggers. These include:

stress
fatigue
certain foods and drinks such as chocolate, red wine and coffee

Hydration and adequate sleep are indicated to reduce the risk of vestibular migraine episodes. Migraine triggers vary from person to person, so learning your triggers can help you avoid them.

Prescription medications can also help reduce vestibular migraine symptoms. Among them are:

beta-blockers
triptans
anti-convulsant drugs
calcium channel blockers

Meniere’s disease

Another condition that causes both vertigo and tinnitus is Meniere’s disease. This is the result of changes in the fluids in the inner ear.

Meniere’s symptoms can be improved with rest and stress management. It is also indicated to limit the consumption of salt and sugar to prevent fluid accumulation.

In terms of medical treatment, anti-nausea medications for motion sickness are recommended. Also, diuretics help to reduce the level of fluids in the body.

Graves’ disease

Symptoms of dizziness and tinnitus can also be caused by Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. Graves’ disease can also trigger feelings of pressure behind the eyes.

For this disease, antithyroid drugs and radioactive iodine therapy can help reduce symptoms.

Concussion

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head. This can trigger dizziness and ringing in the ears, and evaluation by a doctor is critical to prevent the condition from getting worse.

During a concussion, pain relievers can help relieve the initial pain and disorientation. After a concussion, it is recommended to rest in a dark and quiet place, as well as to avoid stimuli produced by lights and sounds.

The only way to treat a concussion is to avoid contact sports and other activities that can lead to head trauma. The doctor will still want to monitor the person for signs of bleeding or swelling during recovery. These signs could mean that treatment is needed for a more serious injury.

Acoustic neurinoma

The thought of a tumor can be scary, but not all tumors are cancerous. For example, acoustic neurinoma is a benign tumor that occurs in the brain. Although usually harmless, the acoustic neuroma can grow and put pressure on the auditory and vestibular nerves (responsible for balance).

Treatment is not always necessary, but radiation can sometimes help shrink the tumor. This type of tumor-targeted radiation is called stereotactic radiosurgery.

Regular monitoring with an MRI scan is also important. By doing this, the doctor ensures that the tumor does not grow to a large size that can disrupt nerve activity and brain function.

Ischemic stroke

An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to brain tissue is blocked or the arteries that supply blood narrow significantly.

An ischemic stroke is a medical emergency. The doctor should be contacted if symptoms such as:

blindness in one eye
double vision
feeling of weakness or paralysis in one or both arms or legs
dizziness
vertigo
state of confusion
loss of coordination
face fallen to one side

During an ischemic stroke, tissue plasminogen activators are given to dissolve blood clots. There are also surgical devices that can break up clots and restore healthy blood flow.

General treatment approaches to prevent ischemic stroke include:

oral anticoagulants, such as aspirin
blood pressure control
lowering cholesterol
certain lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, losing weight and increasing physical activity

Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a weak or thin area of an artery in the brain. When an aneurysm ruptures, the result is a hemorrhagic stroke. The development of an aneurysm is sometimes the result of high blood pressure.

A ruptured aneurysm is much more dangerous than an ischemic stroke and should be treated as a medical emergency.

Medicines to lower blood pressure and slow bleeding can help in this case, while in severe cases surgery is needed to repair the damaged artery.

Brain cancer

Although malignant brain tumors are quite rare, regular brain scans are recommended to detect brain tumors early. This is especially true if there is a family history of brain cancer.

Surgery is the most common treatment for brain cancer. If the tumor cannot be safely removed surgically, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be needed.

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