Congestion of the ear worsens the quality of life, but if it is accompanied by other symptoms, in general, harmless discomfort can indicate serious health problems. As a rule, ears are blocked due to water ingress during bathing, with a runny nose or pressure drops during the flight, but in some cases this may indicate the development of an inflammatory process or an infectious disease, a curved nasal septum, or hypertension.
Process physiology
The feeling that the ear seemed to be clogged repeatedly occurred to everyone. Why is this happening from a physiological point of view? The structure of the ear is very complex. So, the function of the canal (Eustachian tube), which is connected with the nasopharynx and with the middle ear, is to equalize the pressure. If the auditory tube is blocked for some reason, then the pressure in the middle ear does not adapt to changes in environmental pressure. As a result, the membrane bends inward. This is what leads to the fact that it lays ears and is dizzy.
Causes of congestion
Why is it laying ears? The reasons can be varied: from the banal ingress of water when bathing to inflammation of the Eustachian tube. The ears are often stuffed with a cold or even during pregnancy. In the latter case, the symptom is associated with normal fluid retention in the body of the expectant mother. What else can the ear be blocked from? We list the main reasons:
- Sudden pressure drops. When diving or flying on an airplane, sudden changes in pressure occur, to which the ear cannot adapt so quickly. Sometimes ears are laid when going down the subway or climbing a small hill.
- SARS and a runny nose. The nasopharynx is associated with the auditory tube, and the swelling that occurs in it quickly spreads to the auditory tube, which leads to congestion.
- Otitis. Congestion and pain in the ear often accompany this disease. External otitis media are rarely diagnosed, but the middle or internal can cause such a malaise, because the Eustachian tube has a connection with the middle and outer ear.
- Sulfur corks. Sulfur simply blocks the ear canal, so if the ear is blocked after bathing, it is probably a cork problem.
- Foreign body. A small insect that flies into your ear, or a piece of cotton that remains after cleaning your ears, can provoke a feeling of stuffiness.
- Taking some drugs. If you are constantly using a drug, carefully read the instructions, especially the item about side effects.
- Liquid in the ear canal.
- Hypertonic disease. Light dizziness and a feeling of stuffiness signal that it is necessary to measure blood pressure readings and, if necessary, take measures to stabilize the pressure.
- Adenoiditis Tonsil inflammation in the nasopharynx can spread to the Eustachian tube with inappropriate or untimely treatment.
- Pregnancy. In this case, congestion is associated with fluid retention, an increase in the amount of blood and an improvement in blood supply.
- Curvature of the nasal septum due to trauma.
What can the ear be blocked from? The most common causes of this symptom are listed above. In addition, in some cases, the ears are blocked in case of tumors of the auditory nerve or brain, cervical osteochondrosis, allergic reactions, Meniere's syndrome and so on. In any case, it is advisable to immediately contact a specialist, and not engage in self-diagnosis and treatment at home.
Differential diagnosis
From what the ear can lay, the doctor will precisely determine. You need to contact the otolaryngologist. In some cases, a simple examination is enough, but sometimes other diagnostic procedures may be needed. An x-ray will help determine inflammation of the auditory tube or nasopharynx, sometimes an audiogram or tympanometry is effective. The doctor may prescribe additional studies or refer to other specialists, for example, a cardiologist or oncologist.
How to fix the problem
If the ear is blocked, what to do at home? The measures that need to be taken will depend on what disease will be identified by the results of the examination. In most cases, the symptom is caused by pressure drops, physiological characteristics (for example, the period of pregnancy), the formation of sulfuric cork or the ingestion of foreign objects. If at times it puts ears, then it is necessary to determine how often and in what situations this happens. A detailed description will allow the doctor to more accurately establish a diagnosis.
Stuffy nose
Can I get my ears covered with a cold? This is entirely possible because the nasopharynx and middle ear are connected. With rhinitis, the Eustachian tube often swells and becomes clogged, which causes congestion. You can solve the problem by washing the nose and eliminating edema with vasoconstrictor drops. First you need to gently blow your nose, because too intense blowing your nose can cause mucus to be thrown from the auditory canal and worsen the condition. It is necessary to alternately clamp one or the other nostril and release the nasal passages with little effort.
Next, rinse your nose. For this procedure, you can use solutions of sea water or ordinary saline, which is sold in a pharmacy. Salt flushing fluid can be done at home. To do this, add one teaspoon of salt to 0.5 liters of boiled water. When washing the head, you need to tilt to one side (towards the affected ear). The nose fluid can be injected with a small rubber bulb and a syringe without a needle. If nasal congestion occurs due to a runny nose, several times a day. Rinsing the nose is also recommended for preventive purposes, so that in the first days of the common cold you can carry out the procedure so that the ailment does not affect the hearing organs.
Vasoconstrictor drops will help relieve swelling. After instillation of the drug, you need to lie on your side so that the drops fall into the ear canal and do not leak. Such treatment can be carried out exclusively in the absence of contraindications to vasoconstrictor drugs. It is important to strictly observe the dosage. Such funds can be used only for five days, otherwise you can be addictive.
At the same time, treatment aimed at eliminating the common cold is necessary. Congestion will disappear as soon as the original cause, that is, rhinitis, is eliminated. But if there is no improvement after recovery or congestion is accompanied by fever, pain and dizziness, then you need to contact a specialist as soon as possible. Such symptoms indicate complications. With inflammation, only a doctor can determine the tactics of treatment.
In no case should inhalations be taken if the stuffy ear is caused by a runny nose. Inhalation can worsen the course of the disease if the patient develops otitis media. Do not use ear drops - such funds are not always effective. You can’t make warm compresses, “blow out” the auditory tube, holding your mouth and nose (this will only increase swelling), and also use traditional medicine, which often cause complications.
Sulfur cork
If the ear is blocked, what to do at home? If a sulfur plug has formed (this should be determined by a specialist), then rinse your ears. Cork can form for various reasons, therefore, treatment tactics will be different. For example, after an infectious disease and deformation of the tympanic membrane, the accumulated sulfur is taken out with a special tool that looks like a probe with a hook. In most cases, washing is really enough.
For washing, you need to prepare a large syringe without a needle, into which water is collected body temperature or slightly warmer. The patient should sit upright and hold a container into which water will drain. A syringe is inserted into the ear and a stream of water is sent along the back wall, which should wash the sulfur plug. Sometimes sulfur cannot be removed immediately, so the cork has to be softened using special solutions. Instead of a solution, doctors often recommend dropping 3-4 drops of hydrogen peroxide. In some cases, the cork comes out by itself.
Water in ear
If water has got into your ear and is blocked, then this is one of the simple cases that does not cause concern. Usually water flows out by itself or dries out over time, without causing any inconvenience. To speed up the process, you can put cotton wool in your ear, but not very deep. After removing the plate, lie a little on the side where the water got. Place a towel so that your bed is not wet. As a rule, water in the ear does not lead to any negative consequences, but nevertheless it is a favorable environment for the development of infections. So, if after a few days the discomfort did not go away, then you should contact a specialist.
In an airplane or elevator
How to prevent an unpleasant situation, what to do? Stuffed ear after flight? It is really easier to prevent. When taking off, you can chew gum or hold a sucking candy in your mouth, yawn intensively. This makes the muscles that open the auditory tube work. As a result, air enters it, and the pressure in the ears and in the external environment is equalized.
If congestion could not be avoided, then squeeze the wings of the nose and take a breath. This technique is called Valsalva's. But be careful, because this method can not be used for infections. If that doesn't work, then just wait. As soon as the pressure inside and outside normalizes, all the unpleasant sensations disappear. Additional risks that can increase congestion and lead to complications are allergies, any infection, or a common cold. Therefore, before the flight, use vasoconstrictors or antiallergic drugs.
Despite the fact that the case is quite simple, sometimes the situation can be serious. You need to see a doctor if you hear ringing in your ears, you feel dizzy, vomiting occurs, the pain is very strong and lasts for several hours, blood flows from the ear.
Foreign object
What can the ear be blocked from? This often happens if a foreign object gets there. When trying to clear the ear canal or while playing in the ear canals, foreign objects may remain: cotton wool, pieces of paper, plant seeds, small parts of the constructor, plasticine. In the elderly, parts of the hearing aid may be detected. If a foreign object enters the ear, you need to see a doctor, because an attempt to clean the auditory meatus yourself may fail. Delay in this situation is unacceptable, because a foreign body can cause the development of the inflammatory process. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to discard cotton buds or not to stick them too deep.
Inflammation or infection
Stuffs up ears and pain occurs with otitis media? This disease must be treated as soon as it is diagnosed. Specific measures will depend on the particular course of the disease. With a bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics, often local ones. If a fungal infection is detected, then antifungal agents are used. With severe pain, painkillers are recommended, and appropriate drugs will help relieve inflammation. But any medicine should be prescribed by an otolaryngologist. Some of the medicines have an extensive list of contraindications, so self-use is unacceptable.
Hypertonic disease
With hypertension, the head and ears can be “stuffed”, dizziness and general weakness appear. In this case, it is necessary to do an ECG, visit a cardiologist and regularly monitor blood pressure. Patients are advised to keep a diary of self-control, in which twice a day (morning and evening, preferably at the same time), blood pressure and heart rate on both hands, and well-being are noted. Most likely, you will need regular intake of drugs that lower blood pressure, or sedatives.
Curved septum
Curvatures occur with active growth or after injuries, can be an innate feature. Such a defect does not always worsen the quality of life, but in some cases it can provoke a constant congestion of the nose and ears. Difficulty breathing can put an additional strain on the heart, blood vessels, and respiratory system. Due to constant lack of air, frequent headaches, irritability, sleep disturbance, and poor quality of life are possible.
Currently, such a deviation is treated with laser alignment or surgery. Laser treatment is only possible if a defect is found in the cartilage. Surgical treatment may be general or endoscopic. In the latter case, the doctor does not make extra incisions, and the intervention itself is carried out through the nostrils. The patient is discharged from the hospital the very next day, and after a week the swelling passes, after which nasal breathing is fully restored.