When To See A Doctor About A Clogged Ear
While ear wax is generally more annoying than dangerous,sometimes you need a doctor to clear it. If home remedies dont work, your earhurts or you have trouble hearing, Dr. Nguyen-Huynh says its smart to seek medical evaluation.
Someone needs to look in andsee if the ear canal is open or if the wax is plugging it up, he says.
If the situation is minor, you may be able to get yourears unblocked right then and there. If not, ENT doctors can useoperating microscopes to magnify inside the ear canal, loosen the wax and vacuumit out.
And a clogged ear may have othercauses. It could be a middle ear infection with fluid filling up the spacebehind the eardrum, Dr. Nguyen-Huynh cautions. Or you could have a viralinfection that affects the inner ear. In those cases, a doctor can diagnose andtreat you to prevent permanent hearing loss.
Ear Congestion Causes And How To Relieve Clogged Ears
27th Jan 18 4:44 pm by admin
Taking off in an airplane, swimming completely submerged, or riving up a canyon, all of these situations can cause pressure in the inner ear . The result is ear congestion, or ear fullness. Symptoms like vertigo, pain, tenderness, itching, muffled hearing, and tinnitus can sometimes accompany the ear congestion.
Ear congestion is the name we give to every condition preventing sounds from being heard clearly. It is one of the most frequent ear problems, and there is an increase in recent years due to a rise in upper respiratory tract infections. Also, as we use airplanes as a mean for transportation more frequently, it is logical and normal to expect more ear congestion problems.
But when should you worry, and what are all the causes of ear congestion? Generally speaking, an ear congestion can be easily treated with home remedies. But if it persists for more than five days, you should visit a physician.
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Will Impacted Ear Wax Fix Itself
Will impacted ear wax fix itself? The short answer is that it is unlikely. While it is true that our ears are self-cleaning, and wax should be carried out of the ear canal naturally, if your ear wax has built up to the point that it is symptomatic, and impacted, you may need a little more help.
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Ways To Clear Up Sinus Congestion
You dont have to keep living with the symptoms of a sinus infection. Here are eight smart tips from both experts and readers thatll help get you breathing easier in no time.
Sinus congestion may make you feel miserable, but managing it can be easy if you find the right treatment, that is. First, it helps to figure out whats triggering the congestion. You can treat the symptoms, but you are going to be chasing your tail if you dont know whats causing them, says Ian Alexander, MD, an otolaryngologist and founder of the National Sinus Institute, which has clinics in New Mexico and Texas. Common causes include allergies and infections, but your congestion could also be caused by structural problems with your nose and sinuses. Here are some short- and long-term solutions that can help ease congestion and relieve sinusitis symptoms.
Treatment Of Sinus Congestion
- Viral Sinus Infection. Nasal washes with saline. Antibiotics are not helpful.
- Bacterial Sinus Infection. Antibiotics by mouth.
- Allergic Sinus Reaction. Treatment of the nasal allergy with allergy medicines also often helps the sinus symptoms.
- All Thick Nasal Drainage. Nasal secretions need treatment with nasal saline when they block the nose. Also, treat if they make breathing through the nose hard. If breathing is noisy, it may mean the dried mucus is farther back. Nasal saline rinses can remove it.
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How Do I Treat A Sinus Ear Ache
Infected sinuses tend to swell and become congested with mucus, in turn exerting painful pressure on nearby body parts such as the middle ear. If you are suffering from a sinus-related ear ache, you may be experiencing extreme discomfort in one or both of your ears. Luckily, treating a sinus ear ache is often fairly simple. The two main aims in treating this condition are relieving the pain and the congestion. If these objectives are not successfully achieved with the use of over-the-counter drugs, your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics to eliminate bacteria from the sinuses.
Your sinus ear ache is likely due to inflammation and congestion in the sinuses closest to your ears, known as the sphenoid sinuses. When the sphenoid sinuses become swollen and blocked, pressure is exerted on the small components of the nearby middle ear, causing discomfort or even pain. To treat this discomfort, begin by taking an over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as directed on the products packaging. This medication should ease inflammation in the sinuses, thereby relieving pressure to the middle ear. In addition, it should temporarily inhibit your bodys pain receptors, further reducing your discomfort.
Rinse With Salt Water
The irritants from dust, pollution, and fragrances can make their way into your sinuses and cause congestion. To get rid of these irritants, use a saltwater saline rinse either an over-the-counter saline nasal spray or a saline rinse from a neti pot, which is designed to pour saline water through your sinuses, says Dr. Kern.
As Phillip Tanner, 44, of San Francisco, California, says, “I use very warm water and a super-saturated hypertonic salt solution. It’s definitely an odd experience, even once you get used to doing it, but I find that it really does help my symptoms.”
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When To See A Doctor For Clogged Ears
If the above remedies and tips fail to unblock your ears, consult your doctor immediately. Check if your condition is accompanied by the below symptoms:
- Fever
- Pain in the ear, head, or face
- Swelling in the ear, head, or face
- Symptoms that last for a week or keep recurring
These tips can help prevent clogged ears to a great extent. But if you are at a higher altitude or running a cold/fever, your ears tend to get blocked. Excess wax build-up in the ears is also a common occurrence. Give the remedies discussed here a shot during such instances and see what works best for you. In case the problem persists, consult a doctor immediately.
Should You Pour Peroxide In Your Ear
Hydrogen peroxide can cause skin irritation and blistering. It can even cause burns at concentrations over 10%. Using too much hydrogen peroxide can irritate the skin inside the ear, leading to inflammation and earaches. People should not use ear drops if they have an ear infection or a damaged eardrum.
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What Are The Different Types Of Sinus Infections
Sinusitis is categorized based on how long the condition lasts as well as its frequency:
- Acute sinusitis usually lasts a few weeks, but less than a month. There is a subcategory of acute sinusitis, called recurrent acute sinusitis, which occurs when someone gets four or more sinus infections in a year, with symptoms resolving after each one.
- Subacute sinusitis lasts one to three months.
- Chronic sinusitis lasts three months or more.
How To Clear A Blocked Nose In Seconds
Whatever the time of year, a blocked up nose can be a real pain in the backside. A blocked up nose can be caused by a cold, allergies or even certain chronic conditions.
But instead of reaching for the Lemsip, Prevention Magazine suggests trying these simple techniques first:
Hold your breath for as long as you possibly can, then when you finally take a deep breath your sinuses will clear. Apparently this works because your brain kicks into survival mode realising youre not getting enough oxygen, and so gets to work clearing your sinuses.
The second option is slightly more complicated, but still easily done even from an office chair.
First, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth. After youve done that, tap two fingers on your forehead between your eyebrows and your nose. Repeat the whole sequences again and again for about 20 seconds.
So next time you feel the first tickles of a stuffy nose, see if either of these little tricks work.
Of course, here at London ENT we can treat the symptoms of a variety of different causes of a blocked nose including:
- Swelling of the lining of the nose
- Deviated nasal septum
- Collapse of the nasal valves
- Nasopharyngeal obstruction
- Nasal polyps
If we could help you breathe easily again, call us today on 7969 562855 to book a consultation.
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Know When Its Time To Visit A Doctor
Usually, nasal congestion is temporary and resolves on its own. Schedule a visit with us if you experience nasal congestion that lasts longer than 10 days or congestion that seems to go away only to come back. We can perform a comprehensive evaluation to get to the bottom of your symptoms.
Although weve provided some practical tips for managing nasal congestion with over-the-counter products, its wise to speak with a doctor beforehand. Your symptoms could be a sign of an underlying condition.
For an evaluation and to discuss your symptoms, us to schedule an appointment at one of our six Southern ENT locations. Our offices are located in Thibodaux, Houma, Raceland, Morgan City, New Iberia, and Youngsville, Louisiana.
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How You Can Treat Sinusitis Yourself
You can often treat mild sinusitis without seeing a GP by:
- getting plenty of rest
- taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- avoiding allergic triggers and not smoking
- cleaning your nose with a salt water solution to ease congestion
You do not need to use all of the solution, but make a fresh solution each time you clean your nose.
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Tips To Prevent Sinus Infections
In order to avoid ear pain and temporary hearing loss due to clogged ears as a result of sinus infections one must prevent sinus infections. Here are some tips to help you prevent sinus infections and avoid the complications associated with it.
- Control your allergies.
- Keep hydrated, which keeps mucus thin.
- Reduce alcohol consumption, which can worsen mucus.
- Minimize exposure to people with cold or flu.
- Always wash your hands and avoid germs.
- Avoid chlorinated swimming pools.
- Take a nasal spray or decongestant prior to flying.
- Dont smoke, which can aggravate sinusitis, or quit smoking.
These tips can better help protect you against sinus infections. If you do develop a sinus infection, begin treatment right away to reduce complications.
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Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University . He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine , and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
What Causes A Clogged Ear
Clogged ears can disrupt the balance, affect hearing, and also cause pain and discomfort. Both internal and external factors can trigger the condition. They include:
- Barotrauma It occurs when your ears cant adapt to the changing pressure on an airplane .
- Ear Infection It is a result of fluid build-up in the ears that may cause virus or bacteria to multiply . A cold or flu often triggers an ear infection.
- Earwax Impaction It occurs due to an excessive production of earwax, which causes a build-up of wax in the ear canal .
- Presence of a foreign object like cotton inside the ear
- Swimmers Ear This condition results from water being trapped in the ear .
- Smoking
Some of the lesser common causes of ear congestion are migraines and spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
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Try Droplets Of Hydrogen Peroxide Into Your Ear
Hydrogen peroxide, if properly applied, can break up earwax. Hearing experts suggest that you mix the solution with warm water making sure that the water isnt too hot and then place a drop or two into your ear with a pipette. After you tilt your ear upward and put the drops in, a few seconds should be enough to break up the wax blockage. You might need to repeat this several times a day for a couple of days, but ultimately, the clog should clear.
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What Is A Blocked Eustachian Tube
Eustachian tubes are inside the ears and connect the middle ear to the back of the nose. They help the ears drain fluid, stabilize air pressure inside the ear, and keep germs out.
Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the throat. When you yawn or swallow, the tubes open to match the pressure inside the ears to the pressure outside. Sometimes fluid or pressure can get stuck in the ear or swelling can occur, which blocks the tubes. The pressure outside the tubes gets too high and causes pain.
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Will I Need To Make Lifestyle Changes To Deal With Sinus Infections
If you have indoor allergies it is recommended that you avoid triggersanimal dander and dust mites, for exampleas well as take medications. Smoking is never recommended, but if you do smoke, strongly consider a program to help you quit. Smoke can also trigger allergies and prevent removal of mucous by the nose. No special diet is required, but drinking extra fluids helps to thin nasal secretions.
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Warm Compress Is Not Good If:
- You have an ear infection. This remedy should not be practiced as the conditions might worsen. The symptoms are yellow discharge from the ear
- You have a slight fever because of ear pain or cannot turn your head in the opposite direction from the affected ear. It is mandatory that you consult an ENT expert as soon as possible.
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Are There Any Potential Long Term Effects Of Sinus Congestion And The Ears
If sinus congestion is not treated, the symptoms will continue to bother you, making you unnecessarily miserable by the day. Unless the root cause of the problem is taken care of, the ear pain will persist and may even develop into tinnitus and/or partial hearing impairment. It is very important to ensure the proper functioning of the Eustachian tubes for optimal hearing.
Take A Hot Steamy Shower
Heres how: After your shower, remain in the steamy bathroom for at least 10 minutes. The steam helps unclog your ears.
Inhaling steam is one of the simplest ways to get rid of clogged ears resulting from a cold. The steam will help thin and loosen the mucus, which in turn will give you relief from clogged ears. Steam can also help loosen earwax causing clogging. Pour hot steaming water in a large bowl. Add a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender essential oil to it. cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam slowly until the clogged ear opens up.
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Can Sinusitis Be Prevented
Simple changes in your lifestyle or home environment can help lower the risk of sinusitis. For example, during the winter, use a humidifier to keep home humidity at 45%50%. This will stop dry air from irritating the sinuses and make them less of a target for infection. Clean your humidifier often to prevent mold growth.
How To Unclog The Inner Ear Or Eustachian Tube
This article was co-authored by Payam Daneshrad, MD. Dr. Payam Daneshrad is a board certified Otolaryngologist, a board eligible Facial Plastic Surgeon, and the Owner and Director of DaneshradClinic in Los Angeles, California. With over 19 years of experience, Dr. Daneshrad specializes in adult and pediatric Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, packing-less nasal surgery, minimally invasive sinus surgery, and snoring treatment. He also uses the newest surgical ENT techniques for tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, thyroidectomy, and parathyroidectomy. Dr. Daneshrad graduated with a BS and the highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Tulane University School of Medicine, where he was accepted into the AOA, the medical honor’s society, and the Tulane University School of Public Health. Dr. Daneshrad received his medical training from the University of Southern California, where he currently serves as an Associate Clinical Professor. Dr. Daneshrad is the Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon for the Los Angeles Sparks and the athletic teams of Loyola Marymount University.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 50 testimonials and 87% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 4,199,214 times.
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