Can I Shrink an Acoustic Neuroma Naturally?

If you have been diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma or are in the 'watch and wait' phase, it is very important for you to understand and know (in detail) about the treatment options available to you. Learning more about your condition (acoustic neuroma) and available treatment options will allow you to have more informed conversations with your doctor. These conversations will further help you play a more active role in your care, regardless of whether you and your doctor decide to go with a traditional or alternative treatment option.

As you begin to explore treatment options for your acoustic neuroma, it is important to have a good understanding of the condition itself. In this article, we will be providing some basic information about acoustic neuromas, including both traditional and alternative treatment approaches. This knowledge can help you make the best decisions in order to deal with acoustic neuroma, keeping in mind your individual situation.

What Exactly Is an Acoustic Neuroma

Also known as a vestibular schwannoma, an acoustic neuroma can be defined as a benign (or non-cancerous) tumor that usually develops on the balance (vestibular) and hearing (cochlear) nerves. It must be noted that these nerves are mainly responsible for sending signals from a person's inner ear to their brain. The pressure that the tumor puts on these nerves can lead to problems such as hearing loss or imbalance.

Even though this type of tumor is generally benign, it can cause serious problems if it grows large enough to put pressure on the brain or other vital structures. If you experience any symptoms linked to an acoustic neuroma, make sure that you see a specialized doctor as soon as possible so that your condition can be timely diagnosed and treated.

What Are the Treatment Options for Acoustic Neuroma

The traditional treatment for acoustic neuromas is surgery, which involves removing as much of the tumor as possible. This surgical procedure is commonly called resection.

Apart from that, it must be noted that acoustic neuroma surgery is usually carried out in a hospital, and the patient is given anesthesia to make them sleep during the procedure. Once the surgery is successfully done, the patient can expect to spend approximately one week in the hospital for better recovery before being able to go home.

Even though acoustic neuroma surgery is usually recommended by doctors for large tumors or for young patients, this treatment option is not always the best fit for every patient. That's because it comes with certain risks that many people may not be willing to take. However, you'll be happy to know that there are some new alternative (or natural) treatments for acoustic neuromas worth considering and learning about.

What Can Be Other Effective Ways to Treat an Acoustic Neuroma

The first alternative treatment for acoustic neuromas is surveillance, which consists of regular check-ups and imaging to monitor tumor growth. This approach is only recommended if your tumor is small and not causing any adverse effects.

Apart from that, the Gamma Knife is also an excellent alternative treatment option, particularly if you are seeking a form of radiation therapy that is more targeted than standard options. A neurosurgeon can use the Gamma Knife system to precisely target the patient's acoustic neuroma. This helps the surgeon shrink and destroy only the tumor and spare the nearby structures.

It must be noted that this procedure reduces certain risks, such as permanent hearing damage, that are associated with surgery, making it a safer and more effective option for most patients. Gamma-Knife radiosurgery is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that does not require an overnight stay in the hospital like traditional surgery might. You can expect to resume all normal activities within a few days after the treatment, which only takes 15 to 60 minutes. Some patients only require a single session.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a great alternative acoustic neuroma treatment, especially for small tumors or patients who can't have surgery because of other health problems. The Gamma Knife can also be used as part of a combination approach after surgery to remove a large tumor to make sure all the tumor cells are gone.

Can Acoustic Neuromas Be Treated by Natural (Home) Remedies?

Acoustic neuromas are usually benign growths that develop on the main nerve leading from a person's inner ear to their brain. In some cases, they do not need to be treated right away and can be observed by a healthcare professional.

However, other times, doctors might recommend more immediate treatment options, such as radiation therapy or surgery. Unfortunately, there are no known home or natural remedies that can prevent or cure this condition.

Conclusion

An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that affects the hearing nerve, which is located in the inner ear. The hearing nerve connects the inner ear to the brain, and when a tumor develops, it can interfere with the nerve's ability to transmit sound back to the brain.

Acoustic neuromas are one of the most common tumors of the inner ear, accounting for approximately 40% of all tumors of the inner ear. Acoustic neuroma can be very painful, and there is no proven cure. Those who do not want to go under the knife can try to manage the pain with medications.

The only way to get rid of an acoustic neuroma is to remove it during a complex surgery. It's pretty rare, but some people may develop an acoustic neuroma after a head injury. Even though there are no known home remedies for this condition, some alternative medicine systems, such as Ayurveda, can be helpful for some people.

Furthermore, we hope you found the information in this article to be interesting and useful. We encourage you to keep coming back to us for more informative and helpful articles like this!