Tinnitus is ringing in the ears and can be a sign of an underlying condition. It is commonly caused by a circulatory system dysfunction, ear injury or problems with the central nervous system. Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by a feeling of tingling or numbness in parts of your hand. If you are experiencing ringing in the ears and carpal tunnel syndrome together, your physician can help determine whether both symptoms are a sign of the same underlying condition.
Concurrence
Ringing in the ears is bothersome, but rarely serious, according to MayoClinic.com. If no noticeable causes explain the condition, such as an injury to your ear, or age-related hearing loss, then your physician can conduct an evaluation to help determine the cause. Tell your doctor whether you have additional symptoms besides ringing ears and carpal tunnel syndrome so that he can get a broader idea of what might be going on. The fact that both conditions are occurring together might have significance.
Causes
Ringing ears and carpal tunnel syndrome can occur together for several reasons. Certain medications have side effects that include ringing ears and carpal tunnel syndrome. The anti-depressant drug Lexapro is one example, according to Drugs.com. A dysfunction in your neuromusculoskeletal, which sends information to and from your brain throughout the rest of your body, can cause ringing ears and carpal tunnel syndrome. A chiropractic adjustment to relieve pressure on your nerves might help alleviate ringing ears and tingling in your extremities, according to Kirk Eriksen, author of "Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex."
Treatment
Treatment for ringing ears and carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the cause. Provide your physician with as much information as possible so he can determine the cause and recommend a specific treatment. If your ringing ear symptom is caused by an underlying condition, your doctor can take the steps to treat the cause in order to relieve the ringing noise. Medications such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline are used to treat tinnitus, according to MayoClinic.com. Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.
Considerations
Keep a journal of your symptoms. If you are taking a medication that you suspect might be causing your symptoms, talk to your doctor about alternatives. Reducing the movement of your affected wrist can help relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Repetitive wrist movement such as typing on a keyboard is a common cause. Tell your doctor whether you believe your daily activities are triggering your symptoms.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Tinnitus
- Drugs.com: Lexapro
- Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex: A Review of the Chiropractic and Medical Literature; Kirk Eriksen
