10 Symptoms and Complications of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a bothersome “ringing in the ears.” This common problem affects about one in ten adults. Fortunately, it rarely signifies a serious medical problem.

Tinnitus is actually a symptom of an underlying problem. It may indicate an ear injury, circulatory problem or hearing loss. It usually worsens with age, but it can improve with treatment.

Tinnitus treatment depends on the underlying cause and symptoms. Many treatments merely mask the noise, making the problem less noticeable. Here are ten symptoms and complications that are most associated with tinnitus.

Phantom Noise

Phantom noise is the most common tinnitus symptom. The sound does not actually exist outside the head or ears. It is often described as ringing, buzzing or hissing. It ranges in pitch from a roar to a squeal.

Inner Ear Infection

The phantom noise of tinnitus may be accompanied by ear drainage. Sometimes it includes ear pain. This usually indicates an inner ear infection.

The inner ear is filled with fluids that balance vibrations in the ears. Healthy ears consistently purge and replenish this fluid. Infection causes fluid buildup and blockage. This can intensify tinnitus noise.

Upper Respiratory Infection

Tinnitus may include symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. Even cold symptoms can include an awareness of internal sound. If tinnitus does not improve within a week after the infection, medical attention may be necessary.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure may accompany other tinnitus symptoms if it is the underlying condition. Hypertension, stress and other blood pressure factors can make tinnitus more apparent.

Other blood vessel problems share a link with tinnitus. They include symptoms of atherosclerosis, irregular blood flow and head or neck tumors. This type of tinnitus, called pulsatile tinnitus, is rare.

Dizziness

Some people experience dizziness with tinnitus. This may be a sign of Meniere’s disease, an ear disorder caused by abnormal pressure in the ear. Dizziness with tinnitus may also suggest a neurological problem.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common tinnitus symptom. Stress-related fatigue can make tinnitus symptoms worse. Rest, relaxation and stress management are good ways to alleviate the symptoms.

Sleep Problems

Severe tinnitus often causes sleep problems. Insomnia is a common symptom in people with distressing levels of tinnitus. Tiredness, fatigue and sleep problems often improve when stress is better managed. This usually improves tinnitus too.

Memory Problems

Problems with memory and concentration are also linked to tinnitus. Cognitive testing has shown a connection between bothersome tinnitus and problems involving memory, attention and concentration. When people focus too much on the noise in their head, it affects functioning in other parts of the brain.

Depression

People who are greatly troubled by tinnitus are more likely to have symptoms of mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Severe tinnitus interferes with daily activities and reduces quality of life. This can lead to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.

Hearing Loss

Tinnitus is sometimes, but not always, linked to hearing loss. Tinnitus with hearing loss usually signifies cochlear damage. This can result from noise exposure, certain medications or the natural aging process.

About the Guest Blogger – This has been a guest post from an official Aussie supplier of the Tinnitus Miracle product. If you’ve been suffering from tinnitus for too long, it might be worth the investment.

10 Symptoms and Diseases Linked to Asbestos Exposure

The health hazards of asbestos exposure are many and varied. Those who work in the construction, renovation or ship repair industries are well aware of the health risks they face daily. The following symptoms and diseases share an origin in long-term asbestos exposure and should be monitored closely by those at risk.

Asbestosis

This long-term, progressive lung disease is not cancer. Asbestosis is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers that irritate and damage the lungs, promoting the growth of scar tissue. Scar tissue prevents oxygen and carbon dioxide from passing through the lungs properly. Asbestosis progresses slowly over many years.

Mesothelioma

This is a rare form of cancer; however, most cases are caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma develops in the protective lining of many of the body’s internal organs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest wall pain and unexplained weight loss. A biopsy or cytology is needed to make a correct diagnosis.

Lung Cancer

The occurrence of lung cancer from asbestos exposure is usually increased by cigarette smoking. Symptoms of lung cancer include anemia, weight loss, labored breathing and a persistent cough. However, these symptoms are not always tell-tale signs of lung cancer. A doctor’s diagnosis will confirm if lung cancer is present.

Persistent Coughing

Coughing is one of the first signs of disease in the lungs. However, coughing is a symptom associated with many illnesses. A cough that gets worse over time or that produces blood or sputum should be promptly examined by a doctor for anyone with past asbestos exposure.

Blood in Sputum

As with coughing, the presence of blood in sputum can indicate a number of asbestos-related diseases. Those who have been exposed to asbestos in the past should not take this symptom lightly. A full medical exam will confirm if bloody sputum is the result of an asbestos-related condition.

Chest Pain and Tightness

Chest pains are characteristic of several conditions caused by asbestos. Again, those who have been exposed to asbestos should not take chest pains lightly. Chest pains may be caused by asbestosis or another related disease, making breathing difficult for anyone with these symptoms and conditions.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Sudden and unexplained weight changes can indicate various cancers, such as lung cancer or mesothelioma. Weight loss can also be a result of other notable symptoms, such as loss of appetite and anemia. However, these symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor, as they may not be asbestos-related.

Pleural Plaques

Pleural plaques are small fibrous or calcified thickened areas that typically do not produce symptoms in exposed individuals. They will be detected during a chest x-ray. If left untreated they can lead to become pleural thickening, which is also asymptomatic. Both should be treated to avoid future complications.

Asbestos Warts

Asbestos exposure not only affects the lungs and inner body. When fibers become lodged in skin, they may become overgrown, which will develop into small growths resembling callouses. Asbestos warts are benign; however, those who have been exposed should seek medical advice for a correct treatment plan.

Risk Increases for Cigarette Smokers

Cigarette smokers who have been exposed to asbestos in the past should exercise caution. Smoking raises the chances of developing an asbestos-related disease, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma or any other cancer associated with asbestos. Exposed smokers are encouraged to stop smoking to lower the risk of becoming sick in the future.

About the Guest Blogger – This has been a guest post from Aware1, the experts at asbestos removal in Melbourne. If you’re concerned about the possibility of asbestos in your home and need someone to inspect, they’re the guys to call.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Before a child is born, when the child is still in the womb and is going through body and brain development – certain circumstances like lack of oxygen, or it can be genetics that can cause lack of development in the brain, somehow if the blood supply to the brain stops or it could be an infection in the brain etc. can be the cause of some abnormal brain development. In such a case, the child will start to show certain symptoms like – improper movements, or body movements that are not exactly desired.

This is basically a movement and muscle disorder, but a person suffering from cerebral palsy can suffer from other symptoms, such as eye, ear etc.

Following is a list of symptoms and signs that are caused due to cerebral palsy:

1) Slow growth of basic child movements – When children are growing, they do basic movements first, like rolling over, trying to catch objects with one hand and then start to crawl or walk, etc. All these movements will come at a later and much delayed stage for the child suffering from cerebral palsy.

2) Uncontrolled movements – The muscles will be stiff and the reflexes can be normal or exaggerated. The muscles might not be coordinated properly.

3) Partial body usage – Certain part of the body will be used more, like using one hand or dragging one leg and using the other.

4) Improper movements – The affected child might not walk properly, like walking on toes rather than the feet.

5) Eating disorders – Might have trouble in swallowing foods or simply eating.

6) Talking problems – Talking properly is something that requires good control over speech, and someone suffering from CP might find it difficult.

7) Difficulty with fine movements – Certain actions requires a fine hand movement, like holding spoon etc.

8) Neurological problems – someone suffering from Cerebral palsy might face a number of neurological problems, like – eyes not working correctly or ear related disorders. These problems range from dental to mental and even seizures.

9) Drooling – If the muscles of the mouth is affected then drooling will be possible. In that case, face and chest will be affected too because of the drool.

10) Side-effect symptoms – Certain symptoms might not be direct, like having pain while brushing the teeth but due to that dental problems might start to show up in future. Also, seizures and lack of muscle control can cause accidents which can lead to a number of problems.

About the Guest Blogger – Cerebral Palsy is a difficult disease for the affected child however with the help of his parents and care providers, and more knowledge about www.about-cerebral-palsy.org cerebral palsy, things can improve and the child can cope well with the condition and have a better future.

Valley Fever

Valley fever is nothing but a fungal disease. It is the common name though, the real medical name for it, is – coccidioidomycosis. The places where this disease is common are Nevada, California, Arizona, Mexico etc. Even though this disease is mostly like flu with perhaps minor symptoms of rashes are seen, sometimes it can get serious. Then the symptoms of fever, pneumonia, coughing etc. can be seen. Read more

Symptoms of Pituitary Tumor

Pituitary Tumor is generally referred as brain tumor. This is due to the location of the pituitary gland. It is located in the skull base, at the back of the nose. The tumor of this gland, which is mostly benign, grows upwards and affects the optic nerve causing problems with the eye sight. The Pituitary gland, which itself is about the shape of a pea; however the tumor can grow as big as three parts out of four of an inch. Read more

5 of the Craziest Allergies Real People Suffer From

It seems like half of the people you come across these days are allergic to something. As annoying as it is to sniffle and sneeze during hay fever season or to try and eat when you’ve got an allergy to peanuts or shellfish, can you imagine what life would be like if you were allergic to water, sunlight or even your own bodily fluids? Read more

10 Ways Allergies Can Ruin Your Life

Allergy treatments can help you feel a lot better, but they can also help keep your life from going down the tubes in an instant of sniffling, sneezing, watery-eyed, sleepy-headed dismay. Here are some ten ways that allergies could ruin your life. Read more

Osteoporosis Avoiding Tips

Osteoporosis is a ever growing disease with an estimated 20 million American women affected. The disease used to be associated only with the elderly but that is changing. Younger and younger adults are having issues with the bone density disease. Osteoporosis steals bone mass from the bones causing them to weaken leading to weak brittle bones increasing the risk of fracture. Read more

Getting the Basics of Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery

Any surgical procedure in the thorax region of the human body has two basic objectives – to diagnose or to treat. Whichever you need, it is better to talk to your doctor beforehand to get a clear idea about the details. The thoracic area includes the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other parts. Read more

The Likelihood Of Survival At Different Stages Of Lung Cancer

Once non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develops, it spreads quickly, moving from the affected lung to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body. The patient’s chances of survival are directly related to how quickly the disease can be diagnosed and treated. Each stage is associated with a presumed survival rate. These rates help physicians discuss the condition with their patients in the context of what they can expect. Read more

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