Menu
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Healthy Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Diets & Nutrition - Food Safety
    Nutrition
    healthy nutrition
    Recipes
    healthy recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    herbal remedies - herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    suppliments & remedies
    Vitamins
    ask-dr-weil_vitamins-supplements-herbs_vitamins-topnav
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    The Legacy Of Living Yes | Spontaneous Happiness | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Health Tips
    Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Spontaneous Happiness
    blog_spontaneous-happiness_topnav
  • COVID-19
  • Dr. Weil Origins Skin Care
  • Marketplace
  • Healthy Aging
  • Podcasts
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Acoustic Neuroma: Battling a Benign Brain Tumor?
Subscribe
Press "Enter" to search
  1. Home
  2. Health & Wellness
  3. Balanced Living
  4. Healthy Living

Acoustic Neuroma: Battling a Benign Brain Tumor?

I have been diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma. I realize that it will never go away, but I would like to manage its growth. Are there any holistic approaches you recommend?

Andrew Weil, M.D. |December 23, 2008

Man in Scanner
1 min

An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor arising from the eighth cranial nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain. These tumors usually grow very slowly, and often cause no symptoms, but as they enlarge, they can press against nerves involved with hearing and postural stability, leading to deafness on one side, ringing in the ear, dizziness, and balance problems.

No one knows the cause of acoustic neuroma. Some evidence suggests that persistent exposure to very loud noise or heavy cell phone use may play a role in their development.

I know of no holistic treatments that can slow the growth of acoustic neuroma. If the tumor is small and isn’t enlarging rapidly, you may not have to do anything about it other than have your doctor monitor it over time with periodic imaging exams (MRIs) and hearing tests. About 25 percent of all patients need no treatment. However, if symptoms such as hearing loss develop, the only treatment option is surgery. This can be done via gamma-knife radiosurgery in which radiation beams are aimed at the tumor. This does not require an incision, and only local anesthesia is necessary. Results are not immediate, and it can take weeks or months before symptoms resolve.

Alternatively, these tumors can be removed surgically under general anesthesia. Typically, patients spend four to six days in the hospital and need a recovery period of six weeks or more once they go home. Loss of hearing on the affected side is a major risk of the procedure.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Portrait an unknown male doctor holding a stethoscope behind
Healthy Living

A Better Kind of Medicine?

Young couple is relaxing in the sauna. High angle view.
Healthy Living

A Better Way to Sweat?

Laboratory assistant analyzing a blood sample
Healthy Living

A Dark View of Your Blood?

Meet Dr. Weil: A Healthy Doctor | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Healthy Living

A Healthy Doctor

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Information
  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage Email Subscription
Trending Articles
Portrait an unknown male doctor holding a stethoscope behind
Healthy Living

A Better Kind of Medicine?

Young couple is relaxing in the sauna. High angle view.
Healthy Living

A Better Way to Sweat?

Daily Tips
Lips Dry And Chapped Natural Solution
Health Tips

A Natural Solution For Dry And Chapped Lips

Kale Is So Good For You
Health Tips

Why Kale Is So Good For Us?

  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

©Copyright2023 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com