If you suffer from ringing in the ears, also called tinnitus, cutting down on the amount of caffeine you consume will not help alleviate your symptoms. Reuters reports that a study performed in the United Kingdom found that removing caffeine from 66 tinnitus suffers did not help reduce symptoms. Ringing in the ears that occurs only when you consume caffeine may be a sign of allergic reaction or caffeine overdose. Stop ingesting caffeine and call your doctor immediately if you develop ringing in your ears after consuming caffeine.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a chronic condition where you expereince a constant ringing in your ears. MayoClinic.com states that about 1 in 5 people experience this condition and is rarely a sign of a serious medical condition. The most common causes of this condition include an ear injury, hearing loss and a circulatory system disorder. Reuters states that it is a common belief that removing caffeine from your diet will help reduce the ringing in your ears, although there is no clinical evidence to support this claim. Tinnitus is commonly treated by identifying the primary cause of the symptom and treating that condition.
Ringing Caffeine Allergy
If you're allergic to caffeine, you may expereince ringing in your ears due to sinus inflammation. During an allergic reaction, your immune system releases various chemicals that cause inflammation in your soft tissues, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. This will result in swelling in your lungs, skin and sinus cavity. Sinus inflammation places excessive pressure on areas in your head, such as your inner-ear. If you're allergic to caffeine, you may develop ringing in your ears, facial tenderness, headaches and nasal congestion.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that affects your entire body. Anaphylaxis will affect your blood pressure, your heart rate, your circulation, skin, breathing and overall well being, according to PubMed Health. The severe allergic reaction can cause your body to expereince a state of shock, which could lead to death. These radical changes that occur quickly in your body can cause ringing in your ears. This condition will need to be treated by emergency medical personnel.
Overdose Consideration
Ringing in the ears related to caffeine may be a sign of an overdose. Because caffeine affects your central nervous system, you may expereince an increased heart rate, lightheadedness, ringing in your ears and dizziness if you've overdosed on caffeine.
