Tinnitus and Stress
WHAT IS TINNITUS? Did you know that about 10% of tinnitus cases are triggered by stress and anxiety? About 3 Million Americans and almost 1 Million Europeans suffer from tinnitus as an offshoot of a really stressful lifestyle.
Stress and Tinnitus are two inter-related conditions that both can cause the existence of the other and both can trigger and exacerbate the conditions.
Tinnitus is a condition wherein one perceives sounds like hissing, ringing, buzzing and clashing even without the presence of external noise.
Most of the time the noises come from either one or both ears and can sometimes be perceived as emanating from inside the head.
As such, tinnitus is also referred to as "head noises.
" As the condition is really a symptom of an underlying health condition, tinnitus is said to be caused by circulatory, metabolic and coronary problems like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease respectively.
The condition can also be caused by hearing loss due to impacted ear drums and ear infection.
Other times, the ringing in the ears can be triggered by an intake of high dosage anti-biotics and anti-malarial medications known as "Ototoxic" Medications.
The above health problems coupled with a stressful lifestyle, riddled with emotional potholes, anxiety and even paranoia, tinnitus can be magnified and heightened.
TINNITUS AND STRESS Stress is a natural response to an external situation, stimulated by a series of events, and can either be a positive or negative reaction.
Most often, stress materializes in the form of emotional, physical and even chemical change in our physique.
Blood vessels constrict, blood pressure rise, heart beat faster, and sweaty palms are some of the common symptoms and warning signs of stress.
Stress isn't always bad, as being in a stressful environment can bring out the best in us.
Being on the edge allows us to be constantly alert and mindful of our surroundings and our performance and allows us to demonstrate admirable decision making capabilities.
The real damage occurs when we are subjected to a stressful atmosphere and different stressors continuously.
As such, if we are suffering from tinnitus, stress can bring the level of our condition from moderate to extremely difficult in a matter of hours.
When people fail to successfully manage the stressors, tinnitus occurs and/or worsens.
In the same way stress can trigger tinnitus, tinnitus can cause stress and put a toll on a person.
At the earliest stages of the condition, hearing constant buzzing, ringing and clanging can not only irritate and disorient a person but can also increase anxiety, stress and even instigate depression.
So stress can be the cause of tinnitus and tinnitus, stress! MANAGING STRESS TO MANAGE TINNITUS The logical deduction to such stress induced tinnitus is to reduce the stress levels down to a minimum.
There are a number of medications prescribed for tinnitus stress that are designed to relax, calm and reduce anxiety in people.
Some medical advisers would recommend biofeedback, aromatherapy, homeopathy and hypnotherapy among the many ways to significantly reduce our stress levels.
These therapies teach us to control automatically the reactions of our bodies towards stress and even alter our thought patterns towards the different stressors.
Your doctor would also advise practicing slow breathing, meditation and relaxation and quiet contemplation to help us achieve a more serene lifestyle.
I have found a relaxation routine that helped me ease the stress out of my system and gradually reduce the frequency and the volume of my tinnitus:
Stress and Tinnitus are two inter-related conditions that both can cause the existence of the other and both can trigger and exacerbate the conditions.
Tinnitus is a condition wherein one perceives sounds like hissing, ringing, buzzing and clashing even without the presence of external noise.
Most of the time the noises come from either one or both ears and can sometimes be perceived as emanating from inside the head.
As such, tinnitus is also referred to as "head noises.
" As the condition is really a symptom of an underlying health condition, tinnitus is said to be caused by circulatory, metabolic and coronary problems like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease respectively.
The condition can also be caused by hearing loss due to impacted ear drums and ear infection.
Other times, the ringing in the ears can be triggered by an intake of high dosage anti-biotics and anti-malarial medications known as "Ototoxic" Medications.
The above health problems coupled with a stressful lifestyle, riddled with emotional potholes, anxiety and even paranoia, tinnitus can be magnified and heightened.
TINNITUS AND STRESS Stress is a natural response to an external situation, stimulated by a series of events, and can either be a positive or negative reaction.
Most often, stress materializes in the form of emotional, physical and even chemical change in our physique.
Blood vessels constrict, blood pressure rise, heart beat faster, and sweaty palms are some of the common symptoms and warning signs of stress.
Stress isn't always bad, as being in a stressful environment can bring out the best in us.
Being on the edge allows us to be constantly alert and mindful of our surroundings and our performance and allows us to demonstrate admirable decision making capabilities.
The real damage occurs when we are subjected to a stressful atmosphere and different stressors continuously.
As such, if we are suffering from tinnitus, stress can bring the level of our condition from moderate to extremely difficult in a matter of hours.
When people fail to successfully manage the stressors, tinnitus occurs and/or worsens.
In the same way stress can trigger tinnitus, tinnitus can cause stress and put a toll on a person.
At the earliest stages of the condition, hearing constant buzzing, ringing and clanging can not only irritate and disorient a person but can also increase anxiety, stress and even instigate depression.
So stress can be the cause of tinnitus and tinnitus, stress! MANAGING STRESS TO MANAGE TINNITUS The logical deduction to such stress induced tinnitus is to reduce the stress levels down to a minimum.
There are a number of medications prescribed for tinnitus stress that are designed to relax, calm and reduce anxiety in people.
Some medical advisers would recommend biofeedback, aromatherapy, homeopathy and hypnotherapy among the many ways to significantly reduce our stress levels.
These therapies teach us to control automatically the reactions of our bodies towards stress and even alter our thought patterns towards the different stressors.
Your doctor would also advise practicing slow breathing, meditation and relaxation and quiet contemplation to help us achieve a more serene lifestyle.
I have found a relaxation routine that helped me ease the stress out of my system and gradually reduce the frequency and the volume of my tinnitus:
- Try working out a time-out scheme that will allow you to take a few minutes of break and concentrate on a "Me-time";
- List down the blessings that you encounter everyday and focus your energy on the positive aspects of life;
- Learn to live life each day;
- Write your favorite feel-good quotation and make it your daily mantra
- Practice deep breathing and learning the art of letting go
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