Remember the last time you walked out of a concert, the music still ringing in your ears for hours? Or perhaps you might have had prolonged buzzing in your ears after being to close to a fireworks display.
This condition is common and many people experience it after events like this.
However, for about 15 to 20% of the population, the ringing does not stop! The condition is called Tinnitus.
It can range from a faint, easily ignored background noise to a loud, ringing roar! In the extreme cases, it can lead to loss of sleep, anxiety and decreased quality of life.
While exposure to loud noise accounts for many cases, there are many other causes of Tinnitus too.
Some people are sensitive to certain foods, food additives or beverages.
High Cholesterol, severe ear infections, hypertension and several different drugs have also been found to cause Tinnitus.
Treatment for Tinnitus is a little tricky.
The most prescribed treatment involves prescription therapy.
Antidepressants are often used to treat the symptoms.
The results are mixed and there are often side effects from long term use.
Some people have turned to surgery for relief, but here again, there are no guarantees that it will work.
Many people have turned to alternative treatments to find relief from their Tinnitus.
Some of these methods include holistic and nutritional techniques, that include changes in diet, herbal supplements, hypnosis and cognitive therapy.
When you consider that modern medicine has not found an absolute cure for Tinnitus, it is easy to understand why many people look at other treatments! Most of these alternative therapies cost a lot less and have much less risk than what the doctor can currently offer.
So often it is a no-brainer to try these methods before letting your doctor pump you full of drugs or start cutting into your head!