Acoustic Neuroma – Symptoms and Treatment
Acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous tumor in the brain. This tumor grows on the vestibular nerve. The vestibular nerve lies adjacent to the auditory nerve. Acoustic neuroma is a slow growing tumor. It usually remains confined in the vestibular nerve, and doesn’t spread to other parts of the brain. As the acoustic neuroma becomes bigger, it presses the auditory nerve, causing hearing loss.
Symptoms of acoustic neuroma
The common symptoms of acoustic neuroma include gradual hearing loss, dizziness, loss of balance, ringing sound in the ear, numbness on one side of the face. However, severity of the symptoms of acoustic neuroma varies from person to person. Several people with a small sized acoustic neuroma in the brain do not experience significant difficulties. Rarely large sized acoustic neuroma grows large enough to press the brainstem, causing significant health hazard, which if not treated properly could lead to death.
Acoustic neuroma treatment
Surgery
It is estimated that about 3 percent of elderly people have a tiny acoustic neuroma in the brain. Small acoustic neuromas usually do not produce any noticeable symptoms and are harmless. Surgery and radiation is needed for removing the tumor developing in the brain. Stereotactic radiosurgery is often conducted to arrest the growth of the tumor and to remove residual tumors that could not be removed by conventional surgery procedures.
Alternative medicines
Certain alternative treatments are found to be effective in treating acoustic neuroma. Acupuncture is sometimes effective in treating acoustic neuroma. The process, known as neuro acupuncture, stimulates Qi flow in the nerves. Depending on the complication of the tumor, it would take two to ten weeks to recover after acupuncture treatment. People scared of the surgeon’s scalpel could try homeopathic medication for curing acoustic neuroma.
Herbs
Studies have shown than intake of certain herbs could slow down growth of the tumors. Herbs such as gingko could even cure acoustic neuroma. Curcumin found in turmeric, a culinary herb largely used as a coloring agent in Asian cuisines, could shrink the tumor.
Diet and supplements
Zinc and vitamin B supplements are beneficial for people suffering from acoustic neuroma. These dietary supplements are usually recommended after surgeries to increase the speed of recovery. Macrobiotic diet could help to improve the condition of people suffering from acoustic neuroma.
