What is Tinnitus?
Recent studies have shown that about 36 Million Americans and about six percent of the world’s general population have experienced severe tinnitus. In an analysis of hearing loss cases in people over 50 years old, about 48% of the 30% who have experienced tinnitus prior to hearing loss, have had tinnitus in both ears.
Tinnitus is a condition wherein one experiences ringing, buzzing in either one or both ears with the absence of external noise. A condition often signifying an underlying health condition, tinnitus has been able to provide an avenue for thorough body check-ups, as it is a kind of siren – warning us of other health problems. Tinnitus is caused by conditions like ear infection, impacted ear drums, hearing loss, circulatory problems, diabetes, high blood pressure and even ear and brain tumors.
here is no known cure for tinnitus, but there are a number of approaches to managing it.
Diet and Tinnitus
Did you know that our diet plays a major role in controlling tinnitus? As a matter of fact, studies linking the food that we ingest and the amount and frequency of noises that we hear are directly related. This is because a number of food components and ingredients directly aggravate the underlying condition that triggers our tinnitus.
If we are partial to taking fast food, which is high in salt, trans-fat, saturated fat and sugar loaded, we are most likely to gain weight, have circulatory problems, and have diabetes and/or high blood pressure. The fast food that seemingly satisfies our cravings is the very same food that cultivates our cravings for more.
Why should we start veering away from these?
Doctors have long found out that SALT has an immediate effect on our tinnitus. It not only triggers the noise but essentially aggravates the condition. Excess salt could not be absorbed by our body and goes directly to our kidneys. As such, we may develop kidney problems and high blood pressure due to increased kidney damage. Additionally, this excess salt will flow in our blood streams and restricts blood vessels, which can directly reduce blood flow to areas like ears, head and brain.
Salt is exceptionally high in chips, pre-processed food, and fast food meals.
SUGAR is another food component that we suffering from tinnitus should avoid. Processed sugar and sugar substitutes (also known as aspartame) are importantly the ones we need to veer away from. People with diabetes have a sugar metabolism disorder called hyperinsulanemia, which is characterized by high levels of insulin in the blood stream. This condition is one of the causes of the infectivity of the blood stream to carry sugar to the cells. Upon switching to a diet that is low-sugar and sugar-free, tinnitus patients report a regulation and resolution of the condition.
How can we start the change?
It isn’t easy to discontinue with our present diet, as it isn’t easy to find healthy food and time together. But the change need not be abrupt and drastic and can be done very gradually.
I grew up with fast food and chips within an arm’s reach and a 40 hour work week seemed to make it impossible for me to whip something healthy or fresh. But as I strolled along the organics section, I realized that making healthy recipes need not be expensive or time-consuming.
I’ve started stacking up on fresh fruits like blueberries, apples, peaches, pears and bananas to boost my vitamin levels and load up on nutrients like potassium and magnesium. I have started replacing my morning coffee with morning fruit mixes, freshly juiced and served chilled.
Avoiding desserts like donuts and chocolate mudcakes, I started pushing myself to snack on sugar-free biscuits and have also tried different cookie digestives. Every time I want something sweet, I indulge my sweet tooth by grabbing a slice of mango.
Once you’ve gotten used to the idea of taking fresh fruits, the vegetables part will be easy to follow. Don’t forget to include dairy products, fish and poultry in your diet to substitute red meat. And before you know it, tinnitus won’t be giving you too much of a hard time!
This journey can take time but it can be very worthwhile and there is a huge amount of help and advice on the internet just a mouse-click away…. So go on….
