Have you ever heard of Tinnitus? Believe it or not, it's been around for a thousand years. Learn what it is, what casues it and how you can prevent it.

What the heck is Tinnitus anyways? Tinnitus is the ringing or buzzing sound that suffers constantly hear in their ears without any good reason. Most importantly, it can be a mask for a more serious condition, worse case think tumors, most mostly ear infection. The main problem with Tinnitus is the constant or pulsating buzzing, that just won't stop. It's usually a chronic condition, but many leaps forward have been made in treatment. It can be managed by reducing its irritating effects. Tinnitus can occur in one ear or both.

The word Tinnitus comes from the Latin word "tinnitus", or simply “ringing.” It has been an annoyance thousands of years. There are two kinds of tinnitus, one is "subjective tinnitus", where only the individual can hear the ringing. Then there is "objective Tinnitus", where the ringing is actually loud enough to be heard upon a hearing examination. Objective tinnitus can usually be simply treated. However, subjective tinnitus, the one only the person can hear, can be much more challenging.

One of the main causes of Tinnitus is due to a fluid or wax buildup. Other causes can be a simple Ear infection. Much more serious causes include damage to the eardrum, damage to the bone structure in the middle ear, side effects of certain medication, Meniere’s disease or a brain tumor. Sometimes the cause is from an obvious source, like a blow to the head. This is why the first thing you should do is consult with a health care professional. He can use a variety of special tests, and go over your health history.

Once the basic tests are complete, the doctor may find it necessary to rule out a more serious diagnosis. He may perform a brain stem response (ABR) to test the hearing nerves, or possibly a CT scan to rule out a tumor. Currently, there is no one specific treatment for tinnitus. It may be here to stay, in which there are many defusing treatments, or it could leave on its own.

So, How Can I prevent Tinnitus in the first place?

Make sure you are up to date on all of your medical check-ups, and have your blood work checked regularly. If you have hypertension, make sure to monitor your pressure. Discuss all your medication with your doctor, including the possibility of side effects. Also, avoiding long exposure to loud noises. And Finally, relax and try to reduce stress and fatigue..