Gingko Biloba as a Treatment for Tinnitus

On August 3, 2010, in tinnitus, by lisa

The extract of Ginkgo Biloba is effective in the treatment of tinnitus.  The extract of the Ginkgo Biloba tree has been used in Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years.  This tree can grow to be 100 feet tall and live 1,000 years.  The Ginkgo Biloba Tree – also known as the Maidenhair tree – has seeds that are edible.  However, health benefits are derived from the extract of its fan-shaped leaves.

The leaves turn from green to yellow in the Fall.  At this point in time, the leaves are harvested and dried.  After they are dried, the leaves are separated from the twigs and the stalks.  The leaves are ground in a special facility, then mixed with organic solvents.  The purpose of these additives is to enhance the inherent medicinal qualities.

The magical components of Ginkgo Biloba extract include flavonoids, glycosides and ginkoglides.  There are numerous studies that demonstrate the beneficial effects of these ingredients.

Researchers have conducted studies on geriatric patients.  They concluded that Gingko Biloba is highly beneficial for the elderly population.  Ginko Biloba extract alleviates headaches, senility, tinnitus, fatigue, poor circulation depression.  Scientists proposed the theory that the beneficial qualities are due to increased blood flow, which also reverses the effects of aging.  Additional studies on patients with Alzheimer’s disease demonstrated that their minds did not deteriorate further.

As mentioned above, one of the ingredients of Ginkgo Biloba are flavonoids, which act as antioxidants.  They serve to protect the membranes of red blood cells, lengthening their lifespans in the process.  Furthermore, since Gingko Biloba has the ability to increase blood flow to the extremities and the brain, it also relieves the symptoms of tinnitus.

If you suffer from tinnitus, look for products that contain Gingko Biloba.

Studies in Germany have demonstrated that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may help relieve tinnitus.  TMS is an electromagnetic device that is capable of altering the electrical currents in the brain painlessly.

The TMS method was developed by Anthony Barker of England in 1985.  By using electrical magnets hooked up to computers, he was able to map the pathways of nerve impulses in the brain and spinal cord on participants in his study.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation can be used to change the course of nerve activity in the brain.  It is safe for most people.  However, seizures have been reported in patients with a previous history of strokes.  Seizures can occur in such patients with only one treatment session with TMS.  They may also occur in otherwise healthy individuals if the frequency or intensity of the electromagnets are too high.

The application of transcranial magnetic stimulation may incorporate the use of a single electrical pulse or with repetitive pulses, also known as rTMS.  Pain may occur on the surface of the skin and the muscles directly underneath as a result of stimulation by rTMS.  Burns to the area of stimulation by rTMS have also been reported.

Researchers at the University of Regensberg in Germany have been conducting studies utilizing TMS on patients suffering from tinnitus.  They agree that the noises created by the brain in people with tinnitus are the result of dysfunctional nerve pathways.  The theory is that TMS can calm down the hyperactive nerve cells responsible for tinnitus.

Ongoing studies at the University of Regensberg have found that the application of a low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has successfully reduced the incidence of tinnitus in patients.  Since only a few people have been involved in these studies, more research needs to be done to find out how this would impact victims of tinnitus.

Stress Management and Tinnitus Relief

On July 21, 2010, in tinnitus, by lisa

There is a strong correlation between the ability to manage stress and tinnitus relief.  People who develop tinnitus (phantom noises in the ear) as result of stress tend to find themselves in a strange predicament.  On the one hand, stress in their lives triggers the symptoms of tinnitus.  On the other hand, their ability to relax and sleep is impaired due to the tinnitus, which only makes the symptoms worse.  What is the solution?

Stress is a heightened level of awareness in a person to help protect him from hazardous situations.  This “fight or flight” response is inherent in every human being.  For example, if a battle was taking place, this system would kick in, and the person’s body would be geared to run for his life or fight to the death.  However, this stress mechanism was only meant to give a person a temporary boost in energy.  Too much stress can wear out a person’s body and weaken his immune system.

When there is too much stress on a person over a prolonged period of time, a person tends to feel anxiety, tired and depressed.   Many people do things to manage their stress in ways that harm the body, such as using medications, smoking or drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.  If a person is already suffering from tinnitus as a result of stress, the symptoms will only get worse as a result.

There are many things a person can do to relax, and thus eliminate stress as well as the need for foreign substances.  First of all, each person should take time to walk, lift weights or engage in some form of physical activity for at least 15 minutes each day.  This will increase blood flow and help him sleep at night.

In addition to physical activity, other methods of relieving stress include listening to music, reading and talking to friends.  Hobbies such as craft projects can be very rewarding and relaxing, too.

Finally, avoiding fried foods and eating fruits and vegetables each day can help a person feel better, sleep better and feel happier.

Tinnitus Relief Through Exercise

On July 7, 2010, in tinnitus, by lisa

All forms of exercise can help induce tinnitus relief.  The causes of tinnitus include toxins, impaired blood flow to the ear, and insomnia, all of which can be relieved through physical activity.

Nowadays, people spend their time driving to work, only to sit at a desk job for eight hours.  They come home and watch television or interact with the computer.  As a result, many people suffer from a lack of exercise and don’t even realize it.  Their blood flow is impaired, while they experience difficulty sleeping at night.  Furthermore, many deadly toxins are excreted from the body through sweating.  Without physical exertion, little, if at all, sweating takes place, and the toxins remain inside the body.

One of the simplest solutions to tinnitus and other maladies is a brisk walk.  Walking quickly increases the blood circulation in the body, and to the ears, as well.  Increased blood flow alone can help the body heal itself.  While a person is exercising, he breathes faster and takes in more oxygen than usual.  This additional oxygen is beneficial to a person, and dramatically speeds up the healing process.

Of course, exercise has the additional benefit of improving sleep patterns at night.  The body rests better following a period of physical exertion.  Sleep is one of the body’s greatest healing mechanisms, besides the fact that a lack of sleep is known to induce tinnitus.

It is highly recommended that every person suffering from tinnitus should engage in some form of physical activity for at least 20 minutes four times a week.  This can include walking; jogging; bicycling; swimming; skating; skiing; gardening or even shoveling.

Of course, those suffering from tinnitus should also avoid ingesting anything that infuses the body with toxins and deprive him of sleep, such as smoking, caffeine, alcohol and narcotic drugs.

By increasing the time you spend exercising, and avoiding things that can harm your body, you can find relief of your tinnitus symptoms.

CoQ10 To Stop Tinnitus

On June 23, 2010, in tinnitus, by lisa

The amazing Coenzyme Q10 can stop tinnitus, as well as provide a host of other benefits.  Coenzyme Q10 – commonly referred to as CoQ10 – is known by biochemists as uibiquinone and uibiquinol.  This compound helps the body make energy!

Our bodies contain numerous cells.  Each cell has mitochondria, which are energy factories.  These factories further break down the elements of the food we eat and create energy.  In order to do this, there are several steps involved.  Coenzyme Q10 is responsible for the final steps in this production.  The person who discovered this is Peter Mitchell, Ph.D of England.  This discovery led him to win the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1978.

Medical Researchers in Germany utilized CoQ10 in a study on patients with tinnitus.  These patients had complained of ringing of the ears or buzzing for a few years.  The doctors administered Coenzyme Q10 three times a day to the patients.  As a result of this study, the participants experienced a reduction of their tinnitus symptoms by 35 percent.

This unique remedy works for other illnesses, too.  Doctors in Switzerland conducted a study on patients with a history of migraines.  Half the patients were given CoQ10 three times a day, and the other half were given placebos.  At the end of the study, the participants taking the CoQ10 had fewer headaches.  The headaches they did have were shorter than they usually were.

Additionally, this dietary supplement has also been found to be helpful in treating breast cancer.  Knud Lockwood, M.D., experimented by treating his breast cancer patients with 400mg a day of CoQ10.  He found that this effectively led to remission in patients who previously had recurring breast cancers.

Doctors employed at ten hospitals in the United States administered Coenzyme Q10 to patients with Parkinson’s disease over a four-month period.  Sure enough, the patients taking this supplement had symptoms that were less severe than those taking the placebo.

If you want to stop your tinnitus, make sure you take a supplement that contains Coenzyme Q10.

Tinnitus relief can be obtained by utilizing Emotional Freedom Techniques (a.k.a. EFT). Some people find that stress aggravates their tinnitus symptoms. Therefore, alleviating stress by performing EFT will help clear up the tinnitus as well.

Acupuncturists have outlined energy pathways of the body, known as meridians. EFT requires a person to tap each one of ten points along these meridians. In addition to tapping, the person recites specific statements related to his emotions responsible for creating the stress.

Gary Craig founded the EFT method. When he was only 13 years old, he realized that his thoughts had a tremendous impact on the quality of his life. He concluded that the source of all negative emotions is a breakdown in the energy system, and then developed the EFT method based on this belief. The energy system referenced consists of the energy meridians used by acupuncturists. A single disturbance in one energy meridian allows feelings of hurt, shame and anxiety to develop. These negative emotions all contribute to stress, which can exacerbate a person’s tinnitus symptoms.

Through Emotional Freedom Techniques, a person is able to heal themselves, by clearing their minds of negative feelings, and thus help relieve the various noises of tinnitus.

This is how it works: You think about a negative memory or feeling. As you think about it, you formulate a statement relating to this. An example of a statement would be, “I am upset that my wife left me.” Then, you measure the strength of this memory or feeling based on a scale of 0 to 10.

The next step is to formulate a statement of acceptance. “Even though my wife left me, I fully accept myself.”

You tap three times on all the 10 EFT points while repeating this affirmation. These points include the beginning of eyebrow, chin, collar bone, top of head, under the eye, and others.

Following this procedure, you rate the intensity of this feeling a second time. Then, you repeat all these steps until the negative emotion is completely out of your system.

Since anxiety can exacerbate the symptoms of tinnitus, it follows that people with tinnitus should find Emotional Freedom Techniques helpful in obtaining tinnitus relief.

How Do You Manage Tinnitus?

On June 14, 2010, in tinnitus, by lisa

Managing tinnitus requires understanding what it is and what causes it.

Tinnitus is the sound of ringing of the ears, when no external stimulus is present. This sound may also be heard as a whistling, buzzing, hissing or whooshing.

For some people, the sounds created by tinnitus come and go after a short period of time. For others, they are a constant annoyance. The pitch may be high or low, and it can occur in one ear or both.

A doctor may be able to hear the tinnitus in some cases, but not all. It depends on the source of the tinnitus.

Tinnitus is caused by damage to the hair-like cells located in the cochlea of the inner ear. It can also be caused by damage to cells along the auditory nerve. This nerve connects the ear to the brain. Damage to these cells may come with age or be the result of injury from loud noises.

A person with too much cholesterol in the blood may have an increased blood flow to the ear. In such a case, a person’s tinnitus would take on the rhythm of the heartbeat. This is known as pulsatile tinnitus.

Some people have problems with their bite, or TMJ, which is pain in the temporomandibular joint, or jaw. These people have a higher incidence of tinnitus. For these individuals, stress can make their tinnitus worse.

A visit to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist (ENT) is advisable to determine if there is anything serious (such as an acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor that requires surgery). The ENT should also administer a hearing test to see if you have a loss of hearing that needs to be addressed.

If the ENT does not find anything wrong, he may suggest relaxation techniques that can possibly help relieve tinnitus.

Certain foods and medications can exacerbate the symptoms of tinnitus. Keeping a daily log can help you pinpoint the trigger. You should include the type of sound you hear, what you ate and what you did immediately prior, as well as any medications you took. Pay close attention to aspirin, antibiotics and antidepressants.

Following the above suggestions can help you keep your tinnitus under control.

Does Thermo-Auricular Therapy® help tinnitus? In order to determine this, we must first understand what Thermo-Auricular Therapy® is.

The word “thermo” means heat, and “auricular” means relating to the ear. Hence, this is a treatment that is performed when a specially trained aromatherapist holds a lit Biosun candle next to the ear. This art was probably practiced by ancient Egyptians as part of their medical treatments (supposedly using reeds instead of candles), as well as by the Native American Indians only a few centuries ago.

Insurance companies have traditionally refused to cover such treatments. However, there is a growing body of case studies that demonstrate the efficacy of Thermo-Auricular Therapy® by Sue Maunsell and Linda Stokes of the United Kingdom.

Sue Maunsell and Linda Stokes claim to have had extensive experience using this therapy to treat patients suffering from colds, influenza, tinnitus, dulled hearing and balance-related conditions. Furthermore, this therapy has purportedly been successful in treating general motion sickness, headaches and migraines.

What candle is used?

The Biosun candle is made of highest quality ingredients. The base of the tube is linen. This is marinated in a mixture of Sage, Chamomile, St. Johns Wort, along with oils and honey. Once it is rolled, it is sprayed lightly with beeswax to hold it together.

Practitioners of this therapy have noticed that it has a calming effect on their patients, in belief that this helps balance the traditional energies infused in every person.

Can Thermo-Auricular Therapy® help relieve your tinnitus? Only you can say for sure.

Tinnitus is the condition when a person hears phantom noises that don’t exist. There are many causes of tinnitus. They include ear infections, medications and congenital hearing loss. However, the most common cause of tinnitus is hearing loss as a result of loud noises.

How loud does a noise have to be in order to cause hearing loss and tinnitus?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)  states that noises louder than 85 decibels can cause hearing damage. Furthermore, the longer a person is exposed to this noise, the more likely a person is to suffer hearing loss and tinnitus.

A single bark of a dog from four feet away is as loud as 95 decibels, louder than the

85 decibel limit recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). If your dog is closer to you than four feet away, that number could be much higher.

Two dogs together barking would be 3 decibels higher which would total 98 decibels.

The extent to which a loud noise would be dangerous is how much noise over what period of time. A person who is exposed to a barking dog for several hours may suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus.

There are two types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss is physical damage to the ear, such as broken ear bones. Surgery is the best option for this type of damage.

With regard to sensorineural hearing loss, the nerve in the inner ear is damaged. Unfortunately, the only solution is a hearing aid.

Tinnitus is yet another result of nerve damage to the ear. This is a phantom noise that a person hears even when no auditory stimulus is present.

There are two types of tinnitus: objective and subjective. The advantage of objective tinnitus is that it can be measured by an ENT. With subjective tinnitus, however, the severity is based solely on the claim made by the patient.

If you think you may have a loss of hearing, you should be checked by an audiologist. If you hear sounds inside your head, you should make a visit to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist (ENT).

If you are a dog owner, and your dog barks loudly, ask your audiologist or Ear, Nose & Throat specialist (ENT) what you can do to prevent further damage to your ears.

Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

On May 12, 2010, in tinnitus, by lisa

One of the primary causes of tinnitus is hearing loss, which is damage to inner ear from loud noises. The brain tries to compensate for the lack of stimulation to the nerves of the ear by creating its own sounds, hence the tinnitus. Tinnitus may be perceived as ringing, buzzing, hissing, whooshing, clicking or other sounds.

There are many people who have a loss of hearing and don’t know it. Some signs of hearing loss include:

  1. You find that you are missing out on bits of conversations when people talk
  2. You find the need to ask people to repeat things
  3. Your friends or relatives complain that the volume on your television/radio is very high
  4. You have a hard time hearing people speak on the telephone
  5. You try to avoid group conversations because you can’t hear everyone

If any of the above is relevant to you, it is recommended that you see an audiologist to test your hearing.

If you hear noises in your ears that others don’t, then you are also suffering from tinnitus.

In general, you should use hearing protection when exposed to loud noises, as well as lower the volume of radios, MP3 players, and the like in order to prevent hearing loss and tinnitus. If you already suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus, you can prevent further damage to your ears.

Construction equipment and music have been clinically proven to cause hearing loss and tinnitus. If you work in a place where you are exposed to loud noises, you should purchase ear plugs if your employer doesn’t want to provide them for you.

If you are exposed to a loud noise and do not have hearing protection on hand,  try to get as far away from the source as possible. The further away you move, the less likely the sound will damage your ears.

Taking steps to protect your ears at home and in the workplace will help you have a better quality of life.