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Pycnogenol Supplementation As Meniere’s and Tinnitus Therapy

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Pycnogenol (Pyc) is effective in a short period of time in relieving tinnitus symptoms by improving cochlear blood flow

If I knew then what I know now. If I had a nickel for every time I said that since my conventional cancer therapy regimens (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) in ’94-’97. 

I came away from the chemo and radiation therapy with a variety of short, long and late stage side effects. Ringing in my ears aka “tinnitus,”(tin) was one such side effect.

When compared to the other side effects such as:

  • nerve damage,
  • cataracts,
  • two different blood clots,
  • xerostomia (dry mouth),
  • dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
  • chemotherapy-induced A-Fib, cardiomyopathy,
  • and risk of secondary cancers

I didn’t give tinnitus much thought. But I wish I knew then what I know now.  The tricky aspect of tinnitus is that a person may not give this side effect much though when they first notice it, but like Chinese water torture, tinnitus can drive you crazy after awhile.

After years of personal experience and research I have learned that there are many evidence-based  nutritional  and lifestyle therapies that can reduce or even cure a given side-effect from chemoradiation.

The three studies linked and excerpted below show that Pyc as well as physical health (weight loss) combined together may help reduce or even eliminate tinnitus-“Pycnogenol is effective in a short period of time in relieving tinnitus symptoms by improving cochlear blood flow.

I take Life Extension Foundation’s Pycnogenol

A nutrition supplement that would have cured the ringing in my ears naturally by increasing blood flow…

thank you,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Recommended Reading:

PeopleBeatingCancer Side Effects Program


Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the hearing of sound when no external sound is present.[1] While often described as a ringing, it may also sound like a clicking, hiss or roaring.[2]

Tin is not a disease but a symptom that can result from a number of underlying causes. One of the most common causes is noise-induced hearing loss. Other causes include: ear infections, disease of the heart or blood vessels, Ménière’s disease, brain tumors, emotional stress, exposure to certain medications, a previous head injury, and earwax.[2][4] It is more common in those with depression.[3]…”

Improvement in cochlear flow with Pycnogenol® in patients with tinnitus: a pilot evaluation.

AIM:The aim of this preliminary evaluation was to study the efficacy of Pyc in improving cochlear flow in patients with mild-to-moderate tin present for at least two weeks (without vertigo or important hearing loss), possibly associated with cochlear hypo-perfusion…

CONCLUSION:These results suggest that in selected patients with tinnitus and altered perfusion, Pyc is effective in a short period of time in relieving tinnitus symptoms by improving cochlear blood flow. The effect is more pronounced with higher Pycnogenol dosage. More studies should be planned to better evaluate the pathology and potential applications of Pycnogenol in a larger number of patients who are currently without a real therapeutic solution.”

Improvement in symptoms and cochlear flow with pycnogenol in patients with Meniere’s disease and tinnitus.

“The aim of this supplement registry was to evaluate the efficacy of the Pyc® in improving cochlear flow and symptoms in a 6-month follow-up for patients with Meniere’s disease (MD), tinnitus and cochlear hypo perfusion…

Symptoms of Meniere’s disease, flow at cochlear level and tinnitus improved in Pycnogenol subjects in comparison with best management.”

The effects of diet and physical activity induced weight loss on the severity of tinnitus and quality of life: A randomized controlled trial

“Conclusions

“Diet and physical activity intervention ameliorated the tinnitus severity and quality of life in obese patients with tinnitus. However to generalize this findings further studies are needed…”

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3 comments
Ototoxicity- Chemo-induced hearing loss - PeopleBeatingCancer says 11 months ago

[…] Pycnogenol As Meniere’s and Tinnitus Therapy […]

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Short-Term Side Effects - Myeloma - PeopleBeatingCancer says last year

[…] Pycnogenol Supplementation As Meniere’s and Tinnitus Therapy […]

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Kathryn L Guillaum says a couple of years ago

I have constant 24/7 tinnitus. I didn’t have it till after an accident ( falling from a height ). It has only gotten louder since my MM treatment started. I’m here to say that obesity has little to nothing to do with it. Some day I hope to be approved to get an MRI of my brain. All of these so-called advertised treatments may……may help with lesser tinnitus cases, but as you said, this disease could have many sources.

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