Knowing when to seek treatment or therapy for chronic pain or an ongoing condition is difficult for much of the general population in the United States. It’s important to seek effective treatment as soon as you notice something is amiss, but you might be tempted to write your symptoms off as “something that will go away.” Still, the longer you wait, the harder it is to get the correct diagnosis. There are several key signs that you should see a doctor sooner rather than later.
Persistent tinnitus
As you may know, tinnitus is also described as an ongoing ringing in the ear. There are different variants of the condition, such as subjective tinnitus and objective tinnitus. Tinnitus symptoms can vary between individuals and the underlying cause may be tracked through your medical history. Typically, it’s a ringing sound or a crackling static-like white noise that never seems to go away. Common causes of tinnitus include overexposure to loud noises and recurring hearing loss. While chronic tinnitus itself doesn’t often necessitate a hearing aid, the symptoms of tinnitus are invasive enough that you may require sound therapy or a visit to a hearing specialist. The American Tinnitus Association recommends tinnitus treatment options like sound therapy and acoustic therapy to ensure that you’re receiving an accurate diagnosis. Tinnitus patients can benefit greatly from these services and, over time, the effects of objective tinnitus, subjective tinnitus, and chronic tinnitus can be lessened.
Chronic pain
For many, chronic pain is difficult to quantify. Do you have orofacial pain? Is your pain strictly in your back? Does it impact your daily activities? Much of the general population tends to ignore chronic pain and neuropathic pain, which can lead to additional symptoms and disorders. Typical treatment options will seek to improve your quality of life by examining your nervous system for root causes and putting you through physical therapy to lessen the source of chronic pain conditions.
Hearing loss
Many individuals experience some form of hearing loss throughout their lives. Often this is temporary and can even be related to acute subjective tinnitus. However, sometimes, there is no clear cause. Hearing loss may require the use of hearing aids as a treatment option. If the issue is severe and persistent enough, it may also require a cochlear implant alongside a hearing aid to ensure that you’re able to receive sound stimulation. This will require a physical examination to determine if the hearing loss is one of the characteristics of tinnitus.
Facial pain
Facial pain can have causes that range from mild to severe. It can be indicative of a stroke or heart disease if it’s severe pain. It can also be the result of a migraine or a recent trip to the dentist. A facial pain disorder isn’t something to take lightly. Common treatment options can include medication or a visit with a professional in the field of orofacial pain. There are also alternative therapies available. Sometimes, even psychological approaches can be beneficial alongside physical therapy. Commonly, typical treatment options will also address issues with the nervous system and early diagnosis is key. An orofacial pain diagnosis can save you from problems down the road.
Persistent anxiety
As its sufferers may well know, anxiety can greatly impact your quality of life. This is one condition that an early diagnosis can’t directly impact. Frequently, you’ll need cognitive-behavioral therapy or talk therapy to overcome some of the more severe symptoms of anxiety. Even music therapy is being explored as a potential treatment, though music therapy and acoustic therapy aren’t exact sciences.
Whether you’re experiencing the symptoms of tinnitus or neuropathic pain, it’s important to seek treatment. Connect with your primary care physician. You can discover the cause of your tinnitus, anxiety, or chronic pain, and take steps to remedy it. Don’t leave any conditions untreated. Worst case scenario, they lead to debilitating conditions that decrease your quality of life.
