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What Causes Buzzing Sound In Ears In A Patient With Ruptured Eardrum?
Question: I have an elderly woman who has lost her right ear drum. She has no pain but she is hearing a ringing in her ear and also believes to be hearing voices as well. This has gotten worse over the past 3 weeks,
Brief Answer:
Tinnitus from inner ear dysfunction
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
Appreciate your concern for the lady.
The buzzing sound (tinnitus) she hears is due to the malfunctioning of the inner ear. If she lost the ear drum in a trauma or infection, the same may be the cause. Improving the blood flow and function of the organ might help reduce the discomfort.
Herbal preparations containing Ginkgo biloba have helped some of my patients.
If she hears voices like someone talking to her, it is an auditory hallucination and it is better to be seen by a neurologist /psychiatrist.
Best wishes,
Tinnitus from inner ear dysfunction
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
Appreciate your concern for the lady.
The buzzing sound (tinnitus) she hears is due to the malfunctioning of the inner ear. If she lost the ear drum in a trauma or infection, the same may be the cause. Improving the blood flow and function of the organ might help reduce the discomfort.
Herbal preparations containing Ginkgo biloba have helped some of my patients.
If she hears voices like someone talking to her, it is an auditory hallucination and it is better to be seen by a neurologist /psychiatrist.
Best wishes,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX I have a little more information to give. This 80 year-old woman is taking these medications every day.
Singlair (10mg) x1
Asprin (325 mg) x1
Zocor (40 mg) x1
B-12 (500 mg) x1
Coreg (12.5 mg) x2 a day (morning & night)
Lasix (40mg) x1
Sodium Bicarbonate (325 mg) x1
Cozaar (50 mg) x1
Nexium (40 mg) x1
Synthroid (25mg) x1
Glucotrol XL (5mg) x1
I was wondering if in these combinations Glucotrol + Coreg would cause low-blood magnesium. The reason I ask is that previously she was on a pill for magnesium up until 4 months ago.
Because in looking at her I see a few of the neurological symptoms that come from it "Behavioral disturbances, Irritability and anxiety" which are exasperated by the tinnitus as well as loss of appetite.
Though a blood/urin test again would validate if it is or not. Is there any sort of other interactions in these medications that could fit with my previous question? Thanks.
XXXXXXX
Singlair (10mg) x1
Asprin (325 mg) x1
Zocor (40 mg) x1
B-12 (500 mg) x1
Coreg (12.5 mg) x2 a day (morning & night)
Lasix (40mg) x1
Sodium Bicarbonate (325 mg) x1
Cozaar (50 mg) x1
Nexium (40 mg) x1
Synthroid (25mg) x1
Glucotrol XL (5mg) x1
I was wondering if in these combinations Glucotrol + Coreg would cause low-blood magnesium. The reason I ask is that previously she was on a pill for magnesium up until 4 months ago.
Because in looking at her I see a few of the neurological symptoms that come from it "Behavioral disturbances, Irritability and anxiety" which are exasperated by the tinnitus as well as loss of appetite.
Though a blood/urin test again would validate if it is or not. Is there any sort of other interactions in these medications that could fit with my previous question? Thanks.
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Check for low blood sugar also
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thank you for the additional information.
It is not the interaction between Glucotrol and Coreg that affects the Magnesium level but the Lasix . It may be worth checking the Magnesium level and correcting if required. There are potentially adverse interactions between Glucotrol, Sodium bicarbonate, Nexium and between Coreg , Lasix and Cozaar. Of these the most significant is the ones that affect blood level of Glucotrol and thereby the blood sugar. At her age the kidney function would be on the decline and this again increases the Glucotrol blood level. Unrecognized drop in blood sugar can produce the neurological symptoms that the lady suffers. At her the usual and widely known symptoms of hypoglycemia like sweating and palpitations may not occur. It would be good to check her blood sugar frequently and ensure that it does not fall below 100 mgs/dl at any time. At her age it is better to change her diabetes medicine to less powerful ones if the blood sugar tends to drop.
Wish you both a good day and good health.
Check for low blood sugar also
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thank you for the additional information.
It is not the interaction between Glucotrol and Coreg that affects the Magnesium level but the Lasix . It may be worth checking the Magnesium level and correcting if required. There are potentially adverse interactions between Glucotrol, Sodium bicarbonate, Nexium and between Coreg , Lasix and Cozaar. Of these the most significant is the ones that affect blood level of Glucotrol and thereby the blood sugar. At her age the kidney function would be on the decline and this again increases the Glucotrol blood level. Unrecognized drop in blood sugar can produce the neurological symptoms that the lady suffers. At her the usual and widely known symptoms of hypoglycemia like sweating and palpitations may not occur. It would be good to check her blood sugar frequently and ensure that it does not fall below 100 mgs/dl at any time. At her age it is better to change her diabetes medicine to less powerful ones if the blood sugar tends to drop.
Wish you both a good day and good health.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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