Pulsatile Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom that affects almost five million Americans. In Pulsatile Tinnitus or PT for short, you will feel as if you’re constantly hearing a noise similar to whooshing, swooshing, or a heartbeat. This sound has no external source and can be very unsettling and debilitating. It gets to the point that you will start feeling annoyed with it. Around 60 percent of people suffering from PT also face anxiety or depression. The rate of depression is much higher than other chronic conditions because, in pulsatile tinnitus, it is difficult to diagnose the main issue and reason behind the symptoms.
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Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus
You will find many causes leading to the development of pulsatile tinnitus, depending on your body. Nonetheless, the root problem is similar. Here are some of the most common causes of PT:
1. High Blood Pressure
When the blood pressure is high, the blood inside of the arteries has a higher pressure as well. When the arteries surrounding the ears have high pressure, you may feel and detect a ringing or ticking sound.
2. Atherosclerosis
When the buildup of fats, waste materials, and cholesterol blocks your arteries, blood flow can be unstable. In this condition, you will hear some rhythmic sounds in one of your ears.
3. Turbulent Blood Flow
Narrowed neck veins such as jugular veins or arteries such as carotid arteries may be the reason for changes in the flow of blood to or from your head. Your ears will then pick up irregular or turbulent circulation, leading to pulsatile tinnitus.
4. Neck or Head Tumors
A tumor pressing the vein near your ear can also lead to pulsatile tinnitus.
5. Abnormal Capillaries
Pulsatile tinnitus can also occur due to a problem with the tiny vessels supplying blood and connecting your capillaries and veins with arteries.
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Pulsatile Tinnitus Treatment
Most people facing the symptom treat it by defining and treating various causes. If the high blood pressure in the veins or arteries is causing tinnitus, then you can alleviate the symptom by treating these health issues and changing your lifestyle. Here are some basic treatments:
- Stress reduction
- Quit smoking
- Regular exercise
- A low-sodium diet
If these causes are specific to certain problems in your veins or arteries, catheter pressure, or surgery, you first need to treat these conditions. Sometimes, doctors insert a stent in your blocked artery and open it up to improve the blood flow. A stent is a flexible and mesh tube.
1. Sound Therapy
Before treating a blood vessel, your specialist may also suggest sound therapy. This method involves playing background noise like white noise or soft music to distract your mind from tinnitus. This will change your brain’s sensitivity towards the pitch of the tinnitus. You can also find a similar treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, to be very effective. This therapy helps you think about problems in a different way and change your emotional reaction towards it.
2. Relaxation
Relaxing can have a significant positive impact on your body. It improves blood pressure, normalizes the heart rate, and stimulates various brain activities. Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, and meditation reduce the impact of pulsatile tinnitus, and you can have a better daily routine.
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In this therapy, a specialist aims to change the way you react to Tinnitus instead of removing the irritating sound. The concept of this therapy is to develop different techniques of thinking about and acting towards tinnitus.
4. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
In TRT, the specialist helps people suffering from Tinnitus to manage the impact of this condition on their daily life. In tinnitus retraining Therapy, a PT specialist will use sound therapy and directive counseling.
Complications Of Pulsatile Tinnitus
This condition can be the reason for your sleeping problems. If you get poor sleep, you may lead to:
- Weight gain or any other metabolic issues
- Cardiovascular problems
- Low in energy
- Difficulty in concentration
Conclusion
Many underlying causes can lead to pulsatile tinnitus, and a specialist with experience in treating tinnitus can help you. You need to visit a specialist so they can properly diagnose your condition. If you are looking for a professional and experienced pulsatile tinnitus specialist to help with your condition, you can set up an appointment at our clinic. They will understand the real cause of the condition and will treat you accordingly. To set up an appointment, you can contact us at 646-598-2251. We can also consult you on call. For further details, visit our website.
If you fail to get adequate treatment for your pulsatile tinnitus in time, it can have a negative effect on your quality of life. However, by visiting our clinic, you can learn various self-management approaches to help with this condition.