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Can A CSF Leak Cause Ringing In Ears?

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Posted on Wed, 3 Sep 2014
Question: Can a csf leak cause ringing in the ears and nervousness?
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Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Tinnitus, multiple causes, needs management

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
CSF otorrhea ( leakage from ear) has many presentations, ringing is one of them but ringing / Tinnitus has many other etiologies at the age of 64 and csf leakage is last amongst them and less likely when no trauma history before that.Following are some very common causes for such ringing ears
Blockages of the ear due to a buildup of wax, an ear infection, or rarely, a benign tumor of the nerve that allows us to hear (auditory nerve)
Certain drugs -- most notably aspirin, several types of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, sedatives, and antidepressants, as well as quinine medications; tinnitus is cited as a potential side effect for about 200 prescription and nonprescription drugs.
The natural aging process, which can cause deterioration of the cochlea or other parts of the ear
Meniere's disease, which affects the inner part of the ear
Otosclerosis, a disease that results in stiffening of the small bones in the middle ear
Other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, circulatory problems, anemia, allergies, an underactive thyroid gland, and diabetes
Neck or jaw problems, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
Injuries to the head and neck
Tinnitus can worsen in some people if they drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, drink caffeinated beverages, or eat certain foods. For reasons not yet entirely clear to researchers, stress and fatigue seem to worsen tinnitus.
The chief presenting symptom one would expect when a CSF leakage through the ear is present is a clear watery drainage from the ear. This, however, is not always present and does not occur unless the eardrum or canal is in some way violated. If this is not the case, the leakage may be evident as a clear watery nasal discharge. This discharge may be positional or intermittent in nature and may only become apparent during straining or leaning forward. Some patients may notice no discharge at all but rather may report a strange salty taste in the back of the throat.

Nutshell, just get to an otorhinolaryngological facility and let the, take care of it.
I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
May the odds be ever in your favour.
regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Can A CSF Leak Cause Ringing In Ears?

Brief Answer: Tinnitus, multiple causes, needs management Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking CSF otorrhea ( leakage from ear) has many presentations, ringing is one of them but ringing / Tinnitus has many other etiologies at the age of 64 and csf leakage is last amongst them and less likely when no trauma history before that.Following are some very common causes for such ringing ears Blockages of the ear due to a buildup of wax, an ear infection, or rarely, a benign tumor of the nerve that allows us to hear (auditory nerve) Certain drugs -- most notably aspirin, several types of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, sedatives, and antidepressants, as well as quinine medications; tinnitus is cited as a potential side effect for about 200 prescription and nonprescription drugs. The natural aging process, which can cause deterioration of the cochlea or other parts of the ear Meniere's disease, which affects the inner part of the ear Otosclerosis, a disease that results in stiffening of the small bones in the middle ear Other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, circulatory problems, anemia, allergies, an underactive thyroid gland, and diabetes Neck or jaw problems, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome Injuries to the head and neck Tinnitus can worsen in some people if they drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, drink caffeinated beverages, or eat certain foods. For reasons not yet entirely clear to researchers, stress and fatigue seem to worsen tinnitus. The chief presenting symptom one would expect when a CSF leakage through the ear is present is a clear watery drainage from the ear. This, however, is not always present and does not occur unless the eardrum or canal is in some way violated. If this is not the case, the leakage may be evident as a clear watery nasal discharge. This discharge may be positional or intermittent in nature and may only become apparent during straining or leaning forward. Some patients may notice no discharge at all but rather may report a strange salty taste in the back of the throat. Nutshell, just get to an otorhinolaryngological facility and let the, take care of it. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour. regards Khan