Pulsatile Tinnitus – Helpful Info and Tips
Pulsatile tinnitus is a type of tinnitus condition wherein a person keeps hearing a whooshing or pulsating sound that thumps in tune with the heart beat. This condition is also called vascular tinnitus because it is commonly caused by blood flow disruption or poor blood circulation. pulsatile tinnitus is not very common; however, the struggles an afflicted person has to go through are quite challenging.
There are different types of pulsatile tinnitus and one of the most prevalent is a condition called arterial turbulence. This is caused by restricted flow of blood that causes crimps or plaques in the arteries along the region of head and neck. The condition can worsen when the affected person suffers from high blood pressure. When this occurs, the body experiences an increased blood flow which causes the production of turbulence sound in the ears.
This type of tinnitus affects a person differently from other types of tinnitus. Nevertheless, there are some people who can get afflicted by this type and another type. Those who have such conditions agree that the more annoying and irritation sounds they hear are mainly caused by pulsatile tinnitus. One thing this type of tinnitus shares in common with other types is that it is not considered a disease but rather a result of other underlying conditions. Since it can be caused by poor blood circulation or blood flow, the condition causing it must be serious and severe and must be addressed medically. One thing sufferers shouldn’t be worried about is that there are treatments for this condition.
Aside from poor blood flow, pulsatile tinnitus may be caused by other conditions such as:
1. Arteriovenous Malformations – this occurs when the veins and arteries close to the auditory nerve of the cranial cavity become irregular in number. Because there is pulsation happening in the auditory nerve, the beating sound is produced.
2. Atherosclerosis – the pulsating sound a tinnitus patient can hear can also be caused by atherosclerosis, a condition caused by the accumulation of cholesterol on walls of the artery.
3. Benign Intracranial Hypertension – this condition refers to the inflated pressure of fluid surrounding the brain. One of the symptoms of this condition is hearing loss marked by pulsating or beating sound in the ears.
4. Carotid Artery-Cavernous Sinus Fistula – this condition is characterized by the joining of large veins and arteries caused mainly by massive head trauma.
5. Middle Ear Inflammation or Infection – the blood flow can elevate as a result of infection in the middle ear. The elevated blood circulation results to a pulsating or turbulent sound comparable to the turbulent sound of water flowing rapidly.
6. Hypertension – one of the major causes of pulsatile tinnitus is the intake of hypertension medications. The condition can be corrected either by changing the medicine or lowering the dosage.
7. Glomous Tumor – this condition is also called vascular tumor which can occur at the base of the skull in the middle or inside the ear. This condition can be corrected by surgery.
As mentioned earlier, pulsatile tinnitus is not a disease but a symptom of other underlying conditions that need to be given immediate medical attention. Therefore, at the onset of the symptoms, it is a must that you consult with your healthcare provider.
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