Ring Ring... It Could Be Tinnnitus Calling

The holidays are approaching, and if this holiday season, Jingle Bells has a different kind of ring to it, don't be alarmed, you, like many Canadians may be experiencing the effects of something called Tinnitus, or ringing in the ear.

The potential causes of these annoying sounds vary, some are benign while  others can be more serious.

Tinnitus can present as a variety of different sounds and can be constant or intermittent as well as very subtle, or loud enough that it blocks out other sounds.


The American Tinnitus Association, a support and information group, provides an excellent resource for understanding these symptoms.

Causes include:


• Exposure to loud noises – this can cause short-term tinnitus but continued exposure can lead to permanent damage of the hairs in the ear that detect sound and can lead to ongoing tinnitus.


• Medications – Some medications causes tinnitus. Speak with your doctor about any medications you may be taking that could cause tinnitus.


• Sinus or Ear Infections – These usually settle down as the infection clears up.


• Cardiovascular Disease – Pulsing tinnitus may be caused by a lack of smooth blood flow through the arteries in the ear. These symptoms should be discussed with your physician.


• Muscle and joint problems in the head and neck – Motor vehicle accidents and other types of trauma to the head, neck or jaw can lead to muscle spasm in muscles near the ear. This increased tension can be a common cause of tinnitus as well as vertigo and nausea. Physiotherapists can help get these muscles and joints moving again.


The bottom line is, Tinnitus can often be a disconcerting and persistent issue.
Speak with a health care provider about what may be causing your symptoms and ways to treat or control tinnitus.


References:

http://www.ata.org/
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/noiseinear.asp

Vertigo - The Truth Will Make Your Head Spin

Imagine if the simple task of standing up without losing balance was as challenging a task as climbing a mountain. Or try to picture yourself experiencing the dramatic sensation of being on a spinning ride at the fairground every time you walk across the room.

Symptoms like this are debilitating and limit the ability of sufferers to accomplish even the most basic everyday tasks. These are the symptoms of vertigo, a strange and frightening condition that can strike at any time.

So what causes vertigo, and more importantly, how can it be treated?

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), as it's technically known, is a problem of the inner ear, caused by the normal crystals in our ear becoming dislodged from their regular chamber and moving into the inner ear where they they shouldn't be. When they move, one inner ear sends one signal to the brain about our position and movement while the other inner ear sends a conflicting signal.

What results is the brain becomes confused as it tries to resolve the two conflicting messages.

The good news is, for people who suffer from vertigo, there is help, through something we call vestibular therapy.

Check out the attached article about Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and how vestibular therapy can help. And if you or someone you know suffers from vertigo, contact our Surrey clinic, we can help.

You can also visit the following site which contains more information about vertigo:

http://www.entcanada.org/public2/patient21.asp