What Causes "Popping of the Ears" during a Sinus Infection? Posted: 03-15-06 16:34pm
I am getting over a sinus infection.
There is now very little mucus and I can
breath with ease. I have been taking
1500MG of Amoxicillin per day for 9 days
now. For the past 5 days my ears have
been "popped". Are "popping" of the ears
common with sinus infections? Is this
possibly something more serious than
"popped" ears? What can I do to "un pop"
my ears?
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DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 16777211
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Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders Answer A651 Posted: 04-03-06 08:28am
Sinus inflammation is usually followed by
inflammation of the nose cavity and upper
part of the pharynx (nasopharynx). The
nasopharynx connects both middle ear
cavities through the Eustachian tubes.
When the nasopharynx is inflamed, the
swollen nasopharyngeal mucosa closes the
Eustachian tubes’ openings into
nasopharynx and stops the communication
between the nasopharynx and middle ears.
Because there is no communication with the
nasopharynx, the air in the middle ears
becomes trapped. This trapped air is
absorbed after time and air pressure in
the middle ears decreases. Decreased air
pressure in the middle ear causes
secretion of serous liquid from the middle
ear's mucosa into the closed cavities of
the middle ear. This liquid, present in
middle ears, causes the feeling of
“popped ears”. When the
inflammation/infection in the sinuses and
nasopharynx is cleared, the communication
between the nasopharynx and middle ears
will be re-established and the
“popping” will disappear.
DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" Questions are answered by Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov, General Practitioner. Dr. Gjuzelov practices medicine for the general public and is affiliated with the Republic of Macedonia Public Health Institution. For more information about Dr. Gjuzelov or other eHealthForum.com medical experts, please visit our About Us page. You may also visit our Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Forum, for moderated patient to patient support and information.
The material presented in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified licensed medical professional. eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor advises all users with health problems and concerns to consult their personal doctors. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, you must consult your qualified licenseced medical professional before starting any treatment.
The materials in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. To the fullest extent possible, eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor expressly excludes all liability in respect of the information and opinions contained in the Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor, this Web site, or any sites linked to this Web site.
|
DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 16777211
Thanks: 18
Thanked:0
Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders Answer A651 Posted: 04-03-06 08:28am
Sinus inflammation is usually followed by
inflammation of the nose cavity and upper
part of the pharynx (nasopharynx). The
nasopharynx connects both middle ear
cavities through the Eustachian tubes.
When the nasopharynx is inflamed, the
swollen nasopharyngeal mucosa closes the
Eustachian tubes’ openings into
nasopharynx and stops the communication
between the nasopharynx and middle ears.
Because there is no communication with the
nasopharynx, the air in the middle ears
becomes trapped. This trapped air is
absorbed after time and air pressure in
the middle ears decreases. Decreased air
pressure in the middle ear causes
secretion of serous liquid from the middle
ear's mucosa into the closed cavities of
the middle ear. This liquid, present in
middle ears, causes the feeling of
“popped ears”. When the
inflammation/infection in the sinuses and
nasopharynx is cleared, the communication
between the nasopharynx and middle ears
will be re-established and the
“popping” will disappear.
DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" Questions are answered by Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov, General Practitioner. Dr. Gjuzelov practices medicine for the general public and is affiliated with the Republic of Macedonia Public Health Institution. For more information about Dr. Gjuzelov or other eHealthForum.com medical experts, please visit our About Us page. You may also visit our Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Forum, for moderated patient to patient support and information.
The material presented in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified licensed medical professional. eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor advises all users with health problems and concerns to consult their personal doctors. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, you must consult your qualified licenseced medical professional before starting any treatment.
The materials in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. To the fullest extent possible, eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor expressly excludes all liability in respect of the information and opinions contained in the Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor, this Web site, or any sites linked to this Web site.
