What is tinnitus? What to do about it? The most effective way to relieve tinnitus

Tinnitus is a sound that the human ear perceives subjectively without external sound or electrical stimulation. Tinnitus itself is a symptom, not a disease. It manifests itself in various forms, sometimes as a low-pitched roar or buzz, sometimes as a high-pitched cicada. Its tone, volume and intensity fluctuate, some people have paroxysmal tinnitus, while others have continuous tinnitus. So, what methods can be used to relieve tinnitus?

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a sound that the human ear perceives subjectively without external sound or electrical stimulation. Tinnitus itself is a symptom, not a disease. It manifests itself in various forms, sometimes as a low-pitched roar or buzz, sometimes as a high-pitched cicada chirp. Its tone, volume and intensity fluctuate, some people have paroxysmal tinnitus, and some people have continuous tinnitus.

Tinnitus is common in the middle-aged and elderly, and the symptoms become more and more severe with age. In recent years, the age span of tinnitus has become larger and larger, and even some teenagers have suffered from tinnitus. In terms of nature, tinnitus is divided into deficiency syndrome and excess syndrome. Deficiency syndrome generally occurs in the elderly, mostly due to kidney deficiency. The condition is relatively mild and develops slowly. After conditioning, the symptoms will be relieved, but the symptoms are stubborn, and the treatment effect depends on the individual's physical condition, conditioning and lifestyle. Excess syndrome usually comes suddenly, and the tinnitus is also louder. If you are entangled by tinnitus, in addition to seeking medical treatment, it is also important to make appropriate adjustments in your life.

The most effective way to relieve tinnitus

1. Reduce fat intake

Excessive intake of fatty foods will increase blood lipids, blood viscosity, and cause arteriosclerosis. The inner ear is most sensitive to blood supply disorders. When blood circulation disorders occur, it will lead to nutritional deficiencies in the auditory nerve, resulting in deafness. The total daily fat intake of middle-aged people should be controlled at about 40 grams, and they should eat less animal offal, fatty meat, cream, egg yolk, caviar, fried foods and other foods rich in fat.

2. Reduce mood swings

Tinnitus caused by neurasthenia is obviously related to social environment and psychological factors. When a person is depressed, angry, out of control, or anxious, it will cause autonomic nervous system abnormalities, body tension, abnormal blood vessel contraction, resulting in inner ear ischemia, inner hair cell atrophy, degeneration and other lesions. If you can adjust yourself, face everything with a normal mind, and achieve a state of physical and mental balance, the symptoms will disappear naturally.

3. Breathing regulation

Breathing regulation is also very convenient. Every night when you go to bed, lie on your side (either side is fine), plug your ear holes with the middle fingers of both hands, relax your body, and when you exhale (regardless of inhaling), send the air to the soles of your feet (focus on the soles of your feet). If you have a stuffy nose, you can ventilate it in less than three minutes (the nasal cavity and ear cavity are connected, so it can cure tinnitus). You can do this for ten minutes every night.

4. Eat more iron-rich foods

Iron deficiency can easily cause red blood cells to harden, reduce the ability to transport oxygen, and cause insufficient nutrient supply to the ear, which can damage the function of auditory cells and lead to hearing loss. Iron supplementation can effectively prevent and delay the occurrence of tinnitus and deafness in middle-aged and elderly people. Foods rich in iron include pork liver, beef, pork, chicken liver, pig kidney, chicken blood, soybeans, egg yolks, etc.

5. Eat more foods containing zinc

There are many factors that lead to tinnitus and deafness in the elderly, and zinc deficiency is an important reason. The zinc content in the cochlea is much higher than that in other organs. The zinc content in the cochlea of ​​the elderly over 60 years old is significantly reduced, which in turn affects the function of the cochlea and leads to hearing loss. Foods containing zinc include oysters, herring, dried shrimps, seaweed, fish meal, sesame, peanuts, pork liver, beans, etc.

6. Change bad habits

Caffeine and alcohol often make tinnitus symptoms worse; smoking can reduce blood oxygen, and inner ear hair cells are extremely sensitive to oxygen, so hypoxia can damage hair cells. Usually, you should pay attention to eating less fatty and sweet foods to prevent stagnation and phlegm, which will aggravate the condition. People with kidney deficiency and tinnitus should especially reduce the intake of warm and dry foods.

7. Eat foods that promote blood circulation

Foods that promote blood circulation and dissipate blood stasis can dilate blood vessels, improve blood viscosity, and help maintain normal microcirculation of small blood vessels in the ear. You can often eat black fungus, leeks, red wine, rice wine, etc.

8. Clean your earmuffs

When bathing or swimming, be careful to prevent sewage from entering the ear canal to avoid ear infection. If sewage enters the ear canal, use a sterile cotton swab to absorb the water. If necessary, use a little alcohol to disinfect. Try not to dig earwax, because earwax protects the ear canal and can be discharged by itself. If too much earwax blocks the ear canal, ask an otolaryngologist to check and deal with it.

9. Use an MP3 player

Choose some soothing music you like and listen to it three times a day for 40 to 60 minutes each time. The volume should be high enough to hear both your tinnitus and the music. In about half a year, a conditioned reflex system can be reestablished in the brain, cutting off the path of malignant stimulation from the cerebral cortex to the limbic system, thereby alleviating or curing tinnitus.

10. Avoid noise pollution

Sudden loud noises and prolonged noise exposure can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus, so high-risk groups (working in high-intensity noise environments) should pay special attention to noise protection, such as wearing protective earmuffs, earplugs, etc. In addition, do not use headphones for long periods of time at high volumes.

11. Develop a habit of drinking milk

Milk contains almost all known vitamins, especially vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin E and carotene, all of which are helpful in preventing and treating tinnitus.

12. Acupressure to improve tinnitus

For example, press the Hegu point (located on the back of the hand, between the thumb and index finger, about two inches from the base of the thumb), the Tinggong point (close to the front of the tragus, in the depression after opening the mouth) and the Xiaguan point (located in front of the ear, in the depression under the zygomatic bone). Each point can be pressed repeatedly for one minute to help improve the tinnitus problem. In addition, if you also have dizziness problems, you can press the Taichong point (located on the back of the foot, two inches above the middle of the big toe and the second toe) to improve the situation at the same time.

13. Foot bath

Soaking your feet is very helpful in preventing tinnitus. It is a simple and easy method. Soak your feet in hot water every night, then press the "Yongquan" acupoint on the sole of the foot (this area usually feels sore, swollen, numb and painful). Press the acupoint with soft force. Then pat the gallbladder meridian on the outside of the thigh (the outside of the thigh is fine) until the skin turns slightly red.

14. Comb your hair and wipe your ears

Use the ten fingers of both hands to comb the hair from the front hairline to the back. When you reach the back of the head, place the palms of your hands on the back of the earlobes. Move your hands to the left and right sides, wiping from the earlobes to the cheeks one time. Repeat this process a hundred times.

15. Avoid mental stress and fatigue

Being in a state of high mental stress or physical fatigue for a long time can easily aggravate tinnitus, so it is beneficial to adjust the work rhythm appropriately and relax your emotions.