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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Daily Head Pressure and Ear Ringing
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Daily Head Pressure and Ear Ringing
by Glenville86, Nov 13, 2006 12:00AM
Background: Retired from the Army in Nov and had a complete physical. Everything was fine except for lower back degenerative disk diease and mild hearing loss. All bloodwork was normal. Took a job in Iraq where I am currently. Arrived in Feb. In Jun, I was sick with extreme fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. Saw a doctor in Jul and was given OTC headache meds. They did bloodwork that came back normal. Since that time I have had daily head pressure and tinnitus. The tinnitus comes and goes and can be really loud and annoying. Visited another doctor in Sep who thought it might be an allergic reaction and was given zyrtec for a month. No change with the head pressure. Saw an ENT in Oct who feels that it just a left-over from whatever made me ill in Jun and thinks it will get better with time. I have a slight clicking in my jaw and he thinks TMJ might be a factor but I have no jaw pain. I sit in front of a computer at least 10 hours a day.
NOTE: I am 44 and had never had a headache prior to this. Have never had any TMJ problems. Tinnitus was never a problem. Never noticed any allergies before this. Never had sinus problems. Am in decent health and walk daily for 45 minutes. Thought it might be some sort of reaction to something here in Iraq but do not have typical allergy or sinus symptoms.
Questions: 1) What can be the cause of the daily head pressure? No pain, just a heavy and tight feeling from my eyebrows, temples to the back of my head. Wake up with it. Only goes away when outside exercising. 2) What can cause the tinnitus?
NOTE: I am 44 and had never had a headache prior to this. Have never had any TMJ problems. Tinnitus was never a problem. Never noticed any allergies before this. Never had sinus problems. Am in decent health and walk daily for 45 minutes. Thought it might be some sort of reaction to something here in Iraq but do not have typical allergy or sinus symptoms.
Questions: 1) What can be the cause of the daily head pressure? No pain, just a heavy and tight feeling from my eyebrows, temples to the back of my head. Wake up with it. Only goes away when outside exercising. 2) What can cause the tinnitus?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Nov 28, 2006 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can have many different causes. A common cause is hearing loss that occurs over time, from noise exposure, wax buildup, viral labrynthitis, Ototoxic drugs, Meniere's disease etc. From the decription that you provided I suspect that you had a viral illness that partially involved your inner ear. This will likely get better overtime, but can also lead to chronic neck and/or balance problems. The pressure sensation sounds like typical low level chronic daily headache syndrome. This can be caused by eye strain (10 hours at a computer per day), poor sleep (I imagine Iraq is stressful) and overuse of over the counter medications. Starting a medication to prevent chronic daily headache will help with the tension, such as Elavil or Zanaflex once daily at night. Neck physical therapy and altering your lifestyle can also be helpful. I suspect your tinnitus will improve with time, but I would suggest audiologic testing. If your symptoms recurr or do not improve then you may consider an MRI of the Brain, some centrally acting pathologies can also cause your symptoms such as an acustic neuroma or multiple sclerosis.
I hope this has been helpful.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can have many different causes. A common cause is hearing loss that occurs over time, from noise exposure, wax buildup, viral labrynthitis, Ototoxic drugs, Meniere's disease etc. From the decription that you provided I suspect that you had a viral illness that partially involved your inner ear. This will likely get better overtime, but can also lead to chronic neck and/or balance problems. The pressure sensation sounds like typical low level chronic daily headache syndrome. This can be caused by eye strain (10 hours at a computer per day), poor sleep (I imagine Iraq is stressful) and overuse of over the counter medications. Starting a medication to prevent chronic daily headache will help with the tension, such as Elavil or Zanaflex once daily at night. Neck physical therapy and altering your lifestyle can also be helpful. I suspect your tinnitus will improve with time, but I would suggest audiologic testing. If your symptoms recurr or do not improve then you may consider an MRI of the Brain, some centrally acting pathologies can also cause your symptoms such as an acustic neuroma or multiple sclerosis.
I hope this has been helpful.
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