The doctor stated the connection of pulsating tinnitus with vascular problems

Pulsating tinnitus, which coincides with the rhythm of the heart, may indicate serious vascular problems. Ekaterina Demyanovskaya, an expert at the Hemotest Laboratory, told Izvestia on August 20 why this sign should not be ignored and when to sound the alarm.

Tinnitus or tinnitus that is not related to external sources is called tinnitus. This symptom is not an independent disease, but signals the presence of other problems related to ENT organs. Tinnitus usually manifests itself as a constant background noise or ringing in the ears. However, if the noise is rhythmic and corresponds to the beating of the heart, it is called pulsating tinnitus. It occurs when the hearing aid detects the movement of blood through the vessels located next to the ear. Normally, these sounds should not be heard, and their appearance may indicate problems with the cardiovascular system, pathology of local circulation, or changes in intracranial pressure.

Demyanovskaya named atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels as one of the causes of pulsating tinnitus. At the same time, cholesterol plaques form on the walls of the arteries, which disrupt blood flow and create turbulence, which is perceived as pulsation. Also, high blood pressure can increase the load on the vascular walls, which makes the blood flow audible. In some cases, the cause of pulsation is arteriovenous malformations — abnormal connections between arteries and veins that lead to disruption of normal blood circulation. Aneurysms, which are local extensions of the vascular walls, can also be the cause of this symptom, as they can lead to brain hemorrhages upon rupture.

In addition, pulsating tinnitus may be associated with diseases of the ear itself, such as inflammation (otitis media, eustachiitis), tumors (for example, glomous formations in the middle ear) or other pathologies affecting the hearing aid.

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If a pulsating noise occurs periodically, it is recommended to consult a doctor, the doctor said. Symptoms such as a sharp headache, deafness in one ear, and severe dizziness should cause special alertness. If the pulsation is accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances, or facial asymmetry, this may indicate the presence of an aneurysm or vascular wall dissection.

With an increase in pulsation with a change in body position or physical activity, an increase in intracranial pressure should be suspected. A gradual deterioration of hearing on the side where the noise is heard may signal the growth of a tumor.

According to the expert, if a patient complains of throbbing tinnitus, the doctor conducts a comprehensive examination, which includes an examination of the ENT organs, hearing testing, as well as MRI of the brain and vascular angiography. Dopplerography of the vessels of the neck makes it possible to detect atherosclerotic changes in vascular structures.

Demyanovskaya noted that treatment depends on the established cause. In the case of aneurysms or large arteriovenous malformations, neurosurgical intervention may be necessary. For the treatment of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis or hypertension, medications that normalize cholesterol and blood pressure are prescribed. In the case of benign tinnitus, antidepressants or antipsychotics can be used, as well as hearing replacement using resonant broadband noise, which helps to reduce or eliminate tinnitus.

To prevent vascular diseases, it is important to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. People with throbbing tinnitus should avoid stress and intense physical exertion, which can increase blood pressure.

Surgeon Alexander Umnov spoke on August 15 about the dangerous ways of self-medication for high blood pressure. According to him, people often start taking aspirin for a long time on the advice of friends, not considering that it is contraindicated in cases of stomach ulcers and kidney diseases. The doctor noted that the selection of safe and effective therapy in difficult cases can take two to three months.

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