The relationship between tinnitus and Zoster’s

Tinnitus

Tinnitus can be classified as ringing, buzzing or any other noise sensation that originates from the ear. The noise could be heard in one ear or both ears and can also originate from the head.
Causes of tinnitus vary from loud music to an injury to the head or neck or even improper ear wax removal. There is always an underlying cause that goes with tinnitus and if the underlying causes are not treated correctly, the patient will not see the desired results that he/she requires.
Tinnitus affects all three regions of the ear, the middle, outer and inner ear and if left untreated, will cause irritability and affect ones sleeping patterns. Night time is one of the worst times for tinnitus sufferers as the surrounding environment is much quieter than normal resulting in ones tinnitus sounding louder and more unbearable.

How does one get tinnitus?

Tinnitus often occurs when the cilia in the ear become damaged and can not perform the desired task they were designed for. Cilia in the ear move with sound. This movement releases neurotransmitters which in turn send impulses via the auditory nerve to the brain.

Other causes of tinnitus include:

1. Hearing is also often lost when a patient suffers from tinnitus.
2. Old age also cause hearing impairment.
3. Sinusitis and infections that move to the ear via the Eustachian tube. This causes an increase in pressure within the ear canals resulting in Tinnitus, Vertigo and Meneires disease.
4. Tinnitus can also be a symptom of a brain tumor. It is therefore best to have your ENT diagnosis the condition as self diagnosis could be detrimental.

Tinnitus Treatment

An ENT or your GP can identify if one has tinnitus or not. Tinnitus can not be cured it can only be treated. Technology has come a long way and several methods of treatment have arisen.
Treatments include:

1. An audio gram
2. A CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging will be used to rule out the possibility of a malignant cancerous growth.
3. Various other drugs can be used such as niacin which can be obtained from your pharmacy.
4. Homeopathic Treatments

What are Herpes Zoster’s?

Herpes zoster is commonly known as shingles, which is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body.

Symptoms of Herpes Zoster’s

Most patients who have the herpes virus will have some if not all of the following symptoms, a severe rash, along with symptoms of Meniers disease such as vertigo, tinnitus and nausea as well as skin outbreaks which look like blisters.
In severe cases of Herpes Zoster, the whole of the vestibule cochlear nerve along with any facial nerve can be affected resulting in Meniers syndrome, Tinnitus or Vertigo.
This is because the Herpes Zoster Virus remains dormant in these nerves.

Symptoms of Herpes Zoster:

1. Fever or chills
2. Swelling of the lymph nodes
3. Tingling or burning on a certain area
4. A rash or shingles
5. Pain in the associated area
6. Headaches

Some of the symptoms experienced are very similar to Sinusitis symptoms and is why it is important that one check with their ENT of GP to get the correct diagnosis.

The rash experienced when suffering with Herpes Zoster’s can start at the mouth region and spread to various parts of the facial area, again depending on the individual and the environment.

Herpes Zoster and Tinnitus Complex

The Zoster Virus or The Ram Say Hunt Syndrome which is where the Herpes Zoster Virus affects the facial nerves can result in Tinnitus.
This happens when the Herpes Zoster Virus which lies dormant in the ganglion of the cranial or cochlea – vestibular nerve becomes active, these nerves can become swollen and inflamed. It is this swelling and inflammation that can lead to tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness and imbalance, deafness or hearing loss, and inflammation of the pinna or outer part of the ear.
All these conditions can have detrimental damage to your hearing and balance.

Both Herpes Zoster and Tinnitus Complex are serious conditions and should not be taken lightly; if symptoms are experienced please seek medical advice at once.

Symptoms of Herpes Zoster and Tinnitus:

1. The sensation of feeling dizzy
2. Buzzing or ringing
3. Fever or chills
4. Swelling of the lymph nodes
5. Tingling or burning on a certain area
6. A rash or shingles
7. Pain in the associated area
8. Hearing loss
9. Headaches
10. In some cases nausea

Treatments

1. Zinc to boost your immune system
2. Vitamin A
3. Vitamin C
4. Valacyclovir
5. Vitamin B for Tinnitus
6. Ginkgo Biloba for Tinnitus

Please use these treatments as a guideline only, consult a medical professional for further treatment and advice as each and every case is individual and needs individual treatment.

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