Common Causes Of Pulsatile Tinnitus

Turbulent Blood Flow

In healthy individuals, blood normally flows throughout the body in a smooth and regular laminar pattern. Patients with certain medical conditions may develop turbulent blood flow that results in an irregular, chaotic, and non-linear pattern of blood flow. This type of flow is very noisy, and it can cause pulsatile tinnitus for some patients. Turbulent blood flow is particularly common in patients with carotid artery disease and in individuals who have problems with the aorta. Doctors can typically hear turbulent blood flow by placing a stethoscope over the affected area. To evaluate blood flow, patients will need to have ultrasound scans, and CT scans, MRI scans, and other specialized scans may be needed to provide more detailed information. In the case of pulsatile tinnitus, doctors may need to check whether the patient's symptoms disappear when gentle pressure is applied to the jugular vein, and a balloon occlusion test may be advised in rare cases. Cases of turbulent blood flow caused by cardiac issues may be successfully treated with surgical interventions. However, pulsatile tinnitus is not currently curable.

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Anemia

Anemia occurs when there is a low red blood count, and it can be due to an iron deficiency. Patients with anemia often have symptoms very similar to those associated with stress. For example, anemic patients frequently have pulsatile tinnitus, and they may also experience fatigue, headaches, weakness, and pale skin. Brittle nails, heart palpitations, and increased blood flow in the jugular vein may occur with anemia too. Simple blood tests can be used to diagnose anemia. Depending on the cause, patients may need to be treated with iron supplements, and certain individuals may need to take folic acid or vitamin B12 supplements, too. In cases where anemia is caused by internal bleeding, doctors will need to identify the source of this bleeding, and surgery may be needed to stop it. Some individuals may need blood transfusions if they are severely anemic. During treatment for anemia, patients will be closely monitored by their healthcare team, and frequent blood tests might be necessary to measure blood counts and determine the effectiveness of any prescribed treatments. Patients may notice a reduction in their tinnitus symptoms once their anemia is treated, and they should always let their healthcare provider know if the tinnitus or other symptoms get worse.

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