Can GERD Cause Tinnitus?

Hi, this is my 1st post so I am sorry if this goes on a bit but wanted to give all the info.

I woke up one day in July of this year with a feeling of being lightheaded, knew something was not right so off to the doctor's. She checked the usual blood pressure, eardrum etc and diagnosed vertigo (even though I wasn’t dizzy, just lightheaded).

The next day I had a strange noise in my left ear, sort of electrical buzz. My ear also felt plugged and my Eustachian tubes were popping like mad. Anyway saw ENT specialist through BUPA who again ran some tests, bloods etc. Now when she put a camera down my nose she asked if I have acid reflux/GERD, which I do, as she said my larynx was affected. I also went for MRI which came back clear apart from showing I had ‘a loop in the blood vessel close to left hearing nerve however no compression so of no consequence’ (consultant's words) and also bloods showed b12/folic acid deficiency.

Anyway after all that the consultant advised she thinks the tinnitus is due to vitamin deficiency but also acid reflux causing problems with my ears. She did think this will improve but it will take time.

Just wanted to ask you good people if anyone has heard of acid reflux or specifically GERD causing tinnitus and how to resolve it?

PS. I also feel pressure in my ears from time to time.

 

I have had problems with acid reflux and heartburn in the past, and probably had GERD in the past as well as I never sought a diagnosis or medical treatment for it, but these problems have seldom overlapped with my T to the best of my knowledge but I have researched this when trying to ID the cause of my T. I solved my acid reflux by adopting a more neutral diet, practicing good sleep habits, exercising regularly, eating smaller portions, losing weight, and not laying down until at least 2-3 hours after eating my last meal. Also avoid sleeping on your right side and sleep in a slightly elevated position - https://www.sleepscore.com/the-one-sleeping-position-to-avoid-for-acid-reflux/. Another helpful link - https://www.beckerent.com/sinus/gerd.

Vertigo is a well-known hallmark of problems with the inner ear and Cranial Nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve). If your doctor did not mention anything about these based on your MRI results, you might not have anything to worry about, but a request to your have MRI scans re-examined to look for damage to these parts of the brain may be in order. I had an MRI that scanned my sinuses as well, so inquire to whether yours did as well and ask for a radiologist to examine your scans to look for any irregularities in the sinuses, too.

The modality and pathology of T caused by acid reflux and GERD usually has something to do ETD and inflammation in the ears, throats, sinuses, and around those areas. Both the Eustachian Tubes and Sinuses drain into the throat, and if the sinuses are clogged/inflammed/congested then the ETs will not drain properly over time possibly leading to the popping and plugged feeling in your ears and possibly T eventually if your GERD is chronic and has been untreated for awhile. Also, check on possible Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) - a related but just as bad condition. See the attached paper.

Again, seems to support the assertion you might suffer from Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) and GERD; both of which lead to ETD and T.

Check to see if your MRI included a "Circle of Willis" which images and maps the main arteries in the brain, and request results from that specific test. If you can tolerate the noise of an MRI machine and it does not make your T worse, I would if you request a Circle of Willis (if needed) and MRA and MRV with contrast as well to check for arterial and venous thrombosi or other obstructions in the arteries and veins in your brain. Restricted flow of oxygenated blood in blood vessels in and around the ears or upstream in the brain before getting to the ears can cause T. Hardening or narrowing of the blood vessels can lead to this, but I know my imaging did not show a loop in any blood vessel, so this might make it more difficult to circulate blood throughout your brain. If your bloodwork did not include a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and A1C/Blood Sugar test, those would be good as well. Higher than normal RBC, WBC, Hematocrit, and Hemoglobin from your CBC and/or persistently high A1C/Blood Sugar (usually an indicator of diabetes) may indicate thicker, more viscous blood that flows less readily which could spell problems down the road with this "loop" in your blood vessel near your ear.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause T. I take this daily - https://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formu...efix=vitamin+b12+lozenges+1000,aps,248&sr=8-6. My T is most likely caused by mechanical/musculoskeletal issues that I working on. But my problems with a Vitamin B12 deficiency manifested itself as paresthesia and burning in my hands and feet especially at night when trying to sleep, but have mostly disappeared since starting the B12 supp.

Be weary of docs when they say it will improve on its own over time. It is important to take the initiative youself, adopt a systematic and holistic approach to diagnosing and treating your T, educate yourself on preventive self-care measures and lifestyle changes to treat the underlying condition of your T, and blend those along with docs' recommendations.

Yes. Check whether you have LPR as well. Your way forward will be treating your GERD and LPR which can improve and hopefully reduce your T. A note of caution though - research any GERD meds docs want recommend as a few are ototoxic - https://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd-and-your-ears/. Also treat potential ETD and inflammation in and around the ears, throat, and sinuses. Useful info here - https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/here-is-how-i-solved-my-tinnitus-—-new-protocols-and-supplements-to-try.6514/.

Good luck with the T moving forward.

 

May be of use to you - https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...reflux-feeling-sad-have-some-questions.26271/

 

@oceanofsound26

Thank you so much for your reply,you are so knowledgeable regarding this, everything you say makes solid sense, my tinnitus has reduced considerably in the last couple of weeks so hopefully that will continue. The MRI while I didn’t particularly like it didn’t really affect my tinnitus adversely, however I was a bit confused about the loop in the vessel so will go back to Docs about that.

Was given Omeprazole for GERD although to date I’ve only taken 1 when I was really bad (felt so bad with the pain) cause I was aware it’s ototoxic felt damned if I do and damned if I don’t lol, have been trying to control it through my diet , exactly as you say small meals and I don’t eat after 6 pm which is helping a lot (and I’ve lost weight).

Did have a FBC when they found the b12 deficiency but I was also borderline high for glucose levels although at my last bloods both were back in line. Think this is because I’ve addressed my diet. Also ENT consultant says I definitely don’t have Vertigo.

I feel or hope that maybe everything I had or b12/folic acid GERD etc all participated in my problems and it maybe manifested into tinnitus and ear problems and through time it will heal

I was also thinking about taking magnesium or zinc or possibly both, what are your thoughts in this.

It’s so good to have someone to talk to who knows how your feeling and I am very thankful for your input

Again thank you so much x

 

PS meant to say that I feel mucus from time to time running down my throat in the left (that’s the side with tinnitus and blockage) it feels thick and yucky and I also have a post nasal drip as well have on occasion taken an antihistamine which seems to help and reduced my tinnitus as well but don’t know if that was coincidence or wishful thinking.

 

Hi @Deniseh -

I am by no means an expert on tinnitus. There are several sage-like forum members that have more experience with and knowledge of tinnitus than me. @Bill Bauer has related to many members that tinnitus often fades to some degree after onset (even if it takes 6 months or more), so having your tinnitus reduce with time is definitely a good sign and probably means you are getting the cause of your tinnitus under control. Hopefully, it will continue to fade. In regards to your MRI results, in my experience, if there are no issues with imaging then a radiologist examining an MRI will not indicate anything of note and usually only brings something up if an irregularity of some type is seen and will therefore be noted and mentioned in the results. Because the loop in the blood vessel was noted on your MRI, this is something you should continue to monitor and follow-up on in the future.

Glad to hear things are back to normal with your bloodwork, you do not have vertigo, and you are controlling your GERD better now. Keep in mind that "borderline" high blood glucose could still be an indication of pre-diabetes which can progress into diabetes if lifestyle changes are not pursued. May want to think about getting an A1C blood test which looks at how your blood glucose has fluctuated for the past 2-3 months if you have not had one before. Besides causing tinnitus, diabetes comes with a littany of other potential health problems. Single or a few instantaneous blood glucose tests can be deceptive as blood glucose can change quickly and vary across the body.

Taking supplements for tinnitus quickly and easily becomes a slippery slope depending on your overall health and if any potential supplements can have negative interactions with medications you are already taking or any pre-existing conditions you may have. Needless to say, after my tinnitus onset, I scoured the forum looking for anything I could take to help get rid of my tinnitus which spiraled out of control for me very quickly. This venture gave me bad tunnel vision and imbued me with the false belief that supplementing would cure me of my tinnitus, and prevented me from adopting the systematic and holistic approach to diagnosing my tinnitus that eventually led me to its probable causes which I am currently seeking treatment for. Most people can get what vitamins and minerals they need from a balanced diet so further modifications to your diet to increase your magnesium and zinc intake and adding foods high in vitamins/minerals that promote the absorption of zinc and magnesium may worthy of further consideration. Some quick Google searches should yield what information you seek. A consultation with a naturopathic doctor or dietician may also be of further benefit to you on this front. This is something to be said for blending both conventional and alternative medicine when it comes to treating tinnitus. Magnesium and zinc are popular supplements to try to treat tinnitus, but be sure to stay within safe dosages so you do not risk any negative side effects (especially of zinc over-toxicity). I would review any potential supplements you want to try with your doctor before diving into tinnitus supplementation regiments. Accordingly, I would advise caution and more (in terms of one supplement and/or types of supplements) is not always better.

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I take Flonase, Zyrtec, and Mucinex D frequently to deal with my mucus build-up and post-nasal drip. Running a humidifier at night if your sleeping area is very dry may help with these problems at night. I also use nasal strips to keep my nasal passages open at night (ex. https://www.amazon.com/Breathe-Right-Nasal-Strips-Large/dp/B07Y8VSC7W), and this has provided some all-around relief for me. Transient ETD and blocked/inflamed/congested sinuses could definitely be contributing to your tinnitus. Take heed of the recommendations in this thread - https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...-—-new-protocols-and-supplements-to-try.6514/. May be of further help to you.

 

I have never claimed to be a sage. I have been reading this forum for over 2.5 years. I have a reasonably good memory and sometimes I notice patterns, that I share with the others.

Most definitely!

 

@Deniseh B12 and folic acid is an essential for the production of myelin, a compound that speeds up the conduction of nerve and vascular blood vessel impulses. GERD can cause a depletion of B12, and the following can also cause deplete B12: Omeprazole, high glucose levels and antihistamines taken over long periods of time. Any of this can also cause tinnitus.

Nerve and blood vessels loops near the hearing nerve is complicated, but it's a little rare to cause tinnitus without compression, but possible to cause pulse tinnitus. Since antihistamines help to lower your tinnitus, it's may not be a cerebellopontine angle (loop). Being lightheaded for you, points to either a B12/folic acid depletion or a vascular loop, but compression is more so needed, which your test didn't show. Did you have a MRI or MRA? T could be in relation to your eustachian tubes and larynx causing tinnitus and this is very probable. Having a history of GERD doesn't help, but that alone most likely isn't causing tinnitus.

@ being lightheadedoceanofsound26 has given valuable information. You would make a good doctor. Wishing everyone the best.

 

@Greg Sacramento -

Useful information for me as well. Thank you for the information.

 

@GregSacramento

It was an MRI scan I had, ENT consultant did say she thought everything could be caused by my b12/folic acid and acid reflux.

In the past couple of years I have suffered bouts of laryngitis/hoarseness which could now be confirmed as caused by the GERD or possible LPR, Doc says this is causing the popping in my ears and also the build up of pressure as well, no medication given or any info, just told that would get better over time ☹️ Gets so frustrating, had this nearly 3 months now although it is slowly improving and my tinnitus is quieter although some days are louder than others however luckily doesn’t impact me too much

 

I've had a bout of esophagitis and acid reflux from being stressed/not eating for 2-3 days/and smoking when I was younger, not anymore tho.

 

Posts on this forum saved me in the early days of tinnitus journey and offered better advice than any doctor I saw. Pattern recognition and the power of observation is half of what science is.

 

Part of me thinks my tinnitus is due to my acid reflux, which happened at night for years without me realizing it. I know you mentioned that you're aware that Omeprazole is ototoxic, but I would stay away from it completely if you're worried about tinnitus. I've noticed spikes in my tinnitus after using it for a few days, it has to be doing some kind of damage.

Only thing that's helped me is elevating the head of my bed. I have an adjustable bed so it makes things easier, but doing this prevents acid from going up my esophagus and possibly finding its way into my ears. If you go this route you have to do it slowly, to get used to the head elevation. But once you find a sweet spot you'll no longer have problems with night time acid reflux.