Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Pulsating Tinnitus

Pulsating Tinnitus
Pulsating Tinnitus
It is firmly recommended that those who suffer from pulsatile tinnitus should find an expert physician that is given to circulatory system studies, and have these specialists perform a thorough evaluation on them.

Several studies and researches have shown that the underlying cause for identifying a pulsatile ear ringing is physiologic in nature. Having said that, there are wide range of causes of this condition that cannot be diagnosed, and their causative agents unidentifiable.

More Facts about Pulsating Tinnitus


In most cases, pulsatile tinnitus is categorized as objective type of tinnitus; in essence, it is possible for others to hear the disturbing sound that the patient is hearing, but with the aid of a stethoscope or other high tech gadgets. The examiner of the patient in particular can also experience the condition on auscultation of the auditory canal or the structures surrounding it, using an auscultation tube.

Other conditions that can be associated with pulsating tinnitus include Arterioevenous shunts, Vascular Abnormalities, Glomus tumors of the jugular, Vascular loop (of the internal auditory canal), Hypertension (high blood pressure), Dehiscent jugular bulb, Palatomyoclonus (small spasms of muscles in the soft palate area), mechanical abnormalities and others.

Pulsatile tinnitus may be heard as many featured sounds such as rough blowing sound which falls in time with respiration, clicking increased pitch that produces rhythmic feeling and a reduced pitch thumping. There may also be lone rhythmic beats, swooshing sound, or different biphasic beats.

Preventing Tinnitus


Whether pulsatile or other forms of tinnitus, the condition could eventually become a permanent one; for this reason, it is very essential for people to take preventive measures. A situation where a ringing in the ears is loud as a result of prolonged exposure to sources that produce loud sound or noise (e.g. industrial workplace or music); it is possible that permanent damage has already taken place. Staying exposed to sound levels of 70 dB for a long period of time can impair hearing. Therefore, if you are a DJ or a musician, it is recommended that you use special earplugs provided for such purpose. This gadget will substantially assist in the prevention of tinnitus. You will still enjoy your music or DJ work while using the special earplugs.

For those who use loud electrical equipments like vacuum cleaners; it will also help to use earplugs. The individuals who frequently operate machines like hammer drills, lawn mowers and grinders can use earmuffs to offer protection to their ears. This will significantly help in preventing tinnitus from developing in the future, and prevent the effect from worsening in the present. Also try and check out for potential ototoxicity medications. However, it is possible for ototoxiclity to be cumulative between medications. If you must use ototoxic medications, you must follow the prescription details as given by the physician e.g. dose and dosage interval.

Generally, for existing tinnitus, you can choose other alternative treatments such as herbal medicine and other natural remedies. However, you have to make careful research and obtain reliable facts about your intended herb use for your tinnitus problem.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

How To Safely Clean Your Baby's Ears

How To Safely Clean Your Baby's Ears
How To Safely Clean Your Baby's Ears
Safe and proper ear cleaning is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of personal hygiene. For parents, the issue of whether to clean the baby's ears is often fraught with confusion. One the one hand, earwax buildup can be acutely uncomfortable; on the other, cleaning the ear risks causing infection or damaging the baby's delicate eardrum.

Earwax is actually beneficial

Cerumen, the substance commonly known as earwax, is a combination of several chemicals (including cholesterol) that's secreted by many of the same glands that help keep the body's skin moist and hydrated. It's manufactured in the outer ear canal but carried towards the ear's edge by the movement of the jaw, taking dirt, dust and other harmful agents along with it.

Earwax varies among different ethnic groups. Among Asians and Native Americans, earwax is flaky and gray. Caucasian and Afrocentric peoples typically have earwax that is damp and honey- or brown-colored.

Cleaning baby's delicate ears

Parents are strongly encouraged to let their baby's doctors clean the child's ears during routine wellness visits. They'll use special instrumentation that won't prove a danger to puncturing or scratching the eardrum.

If you notice that waxy buildup is covering the eardrum, however, you may wish to remove the wax yourself. Excessive earwax around the ear canal can put pressure on baby's eardrum, resulting in balance problems and severe discomfort.

Never insert a cotton swab, your finger, or any other cleaning implement into your child's ear canal. Even light contact is enough to scratch the eardrum. Moreover, cotton swabs can pack the dirt, dust, and other harmful particulate matter closer to the eardrum, actually increasing the risk of infection.

Some health care item manufacturers promote special bell-shaped swabs for cleaning the baby's outer ear. While these are safety-tested to present no danger to the child's inner ear, parents should still use them with caution.

Preventing waxy buildup

Earwax buildup can be slowed simply by keeping the child's ear and neck area clean. Parents can even use a cotton swab or ball dipped in warm water or peroxide around the ear bud and neck area for maximum cleanliness. Just make sure that none gets inside the ear canal.

When the child gets older

The child can begin cleaning its own ears as soon as it can understand the safe use of cotton swabs. Parents can introduce safe ear cleaning about the same time they teach the correct way to wash hair and trim fingernails and toenails.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Home Remedies For Ear Ache Pain

Home Remedies For Ear Ache Pain
Home Remedies For Ear Ache Pain
An ear ache can cause a lot of discomfort. It can keep you from talking, from sleeping, and even from eating. If you are suffering from earache pain it is important that you get relief fast. Here are a few home remedies for ear ache pain that can get you relief in just minutes.

The first thing that you should do is put on a pair of ear warmers. A head band, a scarf, or ear muffs can be a very simple solution. Many people experience ear aches simply because their ears are cold. This should be your first step, because it is easy and quick.

Once you have your earmuffs on, you can proceed to making home remedies for ear ache pain. The easiest method is to use a whole garlic clove, and place it inside your ear. Many people find this to be helpful. However, it is usually more effective if you squeeze the clove to get the oil out, and then use an eye dropper to place a few drops of oil into your ear.

Garlic contains natural antibiotics that can clean up any bacteria that is in your ear. Garlic is not the only food that contains these properties. You can make similar home remedies for ear ache pain with onions, radishes, grapefruits, and peppermint leaves.

You should also know that the ears require a high level of vitamin C and A to be healthy. You should make sure to eat an orange, or any other citrus fruit to get your body the vitamins that it needs.

If you can not find relief in these simple remedies, then you should probably consider a visit to the doctor. It is possible that your ear ache is a symptom of a much worse condition.

Vitamins and Minerals For Ear Infection Cure

Ear Infection Cure - Vitamins and Minerals
Ear Infection Cure - Vitamins and Minerals
One of the fastest ear infection cures is to add some supplementary nutrients into your diet. Vitamins and minerals can help boost your immunity, relieve your symptoms and stop an infection from recurring. I give all my patients with ear problems vitamins and minerals with good results.

Here's a summary of the nutrients that I use with my patients:


Ear Infection Cure 1: Vitamin C

I recommend my adult patients start on at least 3000 - 5000 mg of vitamin C a day to fight off infection. In young children (less than 2 years old) 1000 mg a day will suffice. For older children about 2000 mg works well.

Everyones requirements for vitamin C are unique so I suggest you start taking 500 mg of vitamin C every hour until your stools become a little watery or loose. When your stools become loose it means that your body is saturated with vitamin C. Any excess is excreted in the urine and stools. This point is called "Bowel tolerance" and is when vitamin C is helping your immune system most efficiently.

Going to just below your bowel tolerance every day should be adhered to until the infection is cleared from your body. Depending on the severity of the infection, this can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week or more. If your vitamin C intake is too low, you may not see improvements in your symptoms.

Ear Infection Cure 2: Zinc

Zinc stimulates your white blood cells and antibody production to fight off infections. This mineral is also a powerful anti-inflammatory that helps relieve the pain of sore ears, inflamed throat and swollen glands that are often present with ear problems.

For adults I suggest you start with 60 - 90 mg of elemental zinc a day. For young children I use 30 mg a day, for older kids 60 mg a day. If you also have a sore throat then dissolve a zinc lozenge in your mouth. A sore throat clears up faster when it has direct contact with zinc

Ear Infection Cure 3: Vitamin A

Vitamin A and its precursor beta-carotene enhance immunity. Vitamin A has been shown to lower the rate of infections.

For immune support, I recommend 10,000 IU of vitamin A or 15 mg of beta-carotene a day. For young children about 2500 IU a day, and for older children 5000 IU a day of vitamin A is sufficient.

Vitamin A should not be taken in large amounts by pregnant women as higher amounts are linked to an increased risk of birth defects.

Other nutrients 

Optional but recommended nutrients I also dispense to my patients are vitamin E, selenium and the B complex.

Ear Infection Cure 4: Vitamin E

Vitamin E helps immune function and is a powerful antioxidant. It is beneficial against both bacteria and viruses. I suggest at least 200 mg a day. If you have high blood pressure, check with your doctor first.

Ear Infection Cure 5: Selenium

Selenium is great to take alongside vitamin E, as they enhance each others absorption. It is a good immune booster. For adults take at 100 mg a day.

Ear Infection Cure 6: B complex

To help repair nerves in the ears a balanced B complex is advisable. The B vitamins also help you cope with stress and fatigue. A 25 - 50 mg B complex daily is a good start.

Vitamins and minerals are a natural ear infection cure which can help boost your immunity and fight off infection. The right amounts of nutrients for you will vary according to your age, the severity of your illness and how much food you're eating. It is advisable to consult with a holistic doctor or naturopath to ascertain the correct dosages or refer to the e-book Nature's Amazing Ear Infection Cures by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble