Ears stopped up, stuffy nose, hard to hear Posted: 05-20-07 19:44pm
Over the last 48 hours my ears have been
stopped up. I have had a cold during the
last week with a sore throat and stuffy
nose. The sore throat went away about 2
days ago. I still have a stuffy nose, but
it is not near as bad as earlier in the
week. I have been taking nasal
decongestants, but it has not helped my
ears. I have also tried to hold my nose
and blow to pressurize, but that hasn't
worked either. It is not really painful,
but it is hard to hear, and it is very
hard to sleep. What could the problem be?
What can I do about it?
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DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 16777211
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Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders Answer A2803 Posted: 05-29-07 06:08am
According to the symptoms you report
wherein you're hard of hearing, have a
stuffy nose and history of a sore throat
you could be experiencing inflammation of
the Eustachian tubes, also called the
catar tube auditive. Eustachian tube
inflammation is a common complication of
sore throat (nasopharyngitis) because the
Eustachian tube is a communication channel
between the middle ear and upper pharynx
(nasopharynx). The function of the
Eustachian tube is to equalize ear
pressure between the middle ear and
pharynx. When an infection from the throat
spreads to the tube, communication between
the middle ear and throat is interrupted.
In other words, air becomes trapped in the
middle ear. In time, the air is absorbed
and serous liquid fills the middle ear.
Fluid in the middle ear causes difficult
hearing. You can consult an ENT-specialist
for an appointment, diagnosis, and
treatment alternatives.
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 A2803 Posted: 05-29-07 06:19am
According to the symptoms you report
wherein you're hard of hearing, have a
stuffy nose and history of a sore throat
you could be experiencing inflammation of
the Eustachian tubes, also called the
catar tube auditive. Eustachian tube
inflammation is a common complication of
sore throat (nasopharyngitis) because the
Eustachian tube is a communication channel
between the middle ear and upper pharynx
(nasopharynx). The function of the
Eustachian tube is to equalize ear
pressure between the middle ear and
pharynx. When an infection from the throat
spreads to the tube, communication between
the middle ear and throat is interrupted.
In other words, air becomes trapped in the
middle ear. In time, the air is absorbed
and serous liquid fills the middle ear.
Fluid in the middle ear causes difficult
hearing. You can consult an ENT-specialist
for an appointment, diagnosis, and
treatment alternatives.
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.
