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Suggest Treatment For Blocked Ears
Question: I was suffering from Cold and Running Nose, i am on the way of recovering and have recovered a lot, but my right ear is blocked and when i travel and about to land my ear is blocked. What is the treatment for this. As i am travelling again in 11 days.
Brief Answer:
Eustachian tube block...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting the query.
The ear block and discomfort is due to blockage of the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear). During an attack of cold, the mucosa of the nose and the paranasal sinuses get blocked causing narrowing of the opening of the Eustachian tube. The blocked Eustachian tube creates a negative pressure inside the middle ear causing acute pain. And, the block worsens during the flight journey leading to severe pain and bleeding sometimes.
Do not worry! With appropriate measures and medications, this can be solved.
My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water.
2. Take steam inhalation 2-3 times in a day. Steam helps in reducing the nasal congestion and relieving the nasal and ear block.
3. Try using saline nasal spray as frequently as possible.
4. Nasal decongestant such as xylometazoline or oxymetazoline can be tried, for not more than 5 days. And the same spray can be used 1 hour before the flight journey. Using this spray before flight journey can prevent earache.
5. Avoid chilled food and beverages/coffee/smoking.
With the above measures you should definitely feel better. Revert back to me if you have any further queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Eustachian tube block...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting the query.
The ear block and discomfort is due to blockage of the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear). During an attack of cold, the mucosa of the nose and the paranasal sinuses get blocked causing narrowing of the opening of the Eustachian tube. The blocked Eustachian tube creates a negative pressure inside the middle ear causing acute pain. And, the block worsens during the flight journey leading to severe pain and bleeding sometimes.
Do not worry! With appropriate measures and medications, this can be solved.
My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water.
2. Take steam inhalation 2-3 times in a day. Steam helps in reducing the nasal congestion and relieving the nasal and ear block.
3. Try using saline nasal spray as frequently as possible.
4. Nasal decongestant such as xylometazoline or oxymetazoline can be tried, for not more than 5 days. And the same spray can be used 1 hour before the flight journey. Using this spray before flight journey can prevent earache.
5. Avoid chilled food and beverages/coffee/smoking.
With the above measures you should definitely feel better. Revert back to me if you have any further queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Dear Sir,
Thank you for the answer, Can i use Otolin ( Chloramphenicol, Polymyxin, B, Sulpahte, Benzocaine, Nipagin) in my ear.
I need your advise on this, Will be great if you can tell me.
Thank you for the answer, Can i use Otolin ( Chloramphenicol, Polymyxin, B, Sulpahte, Benzocaine, Nipagin) in my ear.
I need your advise on this, Will be great if you can tell me.
Brief Answer:
Please don't use any ear drops...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
I'm sorry! I would not advise you the ear drops unless there is a perforation with discharging ear.
Trust me, trying those measures which I mentioned in the previous query can reduce your problems quickly.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. I wish you good health and speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Please don't use any ear drops...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
I'm sorry! I would not advise you the ear drops unless there is a perforation with discharging ear.
Trust me, trying those measures which I mentioned in the previous query can reduce your problems quickly.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. I wish you good health and speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Dear Sir,
Actually just want to say something. My ear is blocked i think due to ear wax, my cold is ok now, no cold now, i mean. My ear is blocked due to Wax, and i have to travel in few days again, so i was wondering if i can use something else to unblock it, like olive oil or something, if you recommend oilve oil then how too use it and can i use normal olive oil available in market
Actually just want to say something. My ear is blocked i think due to ear wax, my cold is ok now, no cold now, i mean. My ear is blocked due to Wax, and i have to travel in few days again, so i was wondering if i can use something else to unblock it, like olive oil or something, if you recommend oilve oil then how too use it and can i use normal olive oil available in market
Brief Answer:
You can try using olive oil or wax solvents...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
When it is said there is ear block following cold, the first thing which strikes to the mind of a doctor is Eustachian tube block. And hence, the discussion got steered towards this problem.
If you strongly believe that the block is secondary to the accumulation of ear wax, you can try using olive oil or wax solvents which are available over the counter. You can use 3-4 drops of oil for 4 times in a day. Once you put the drops, lie down with the instilled ear facing up for at least 5 minutes. Use the oil for 4-5 days so that the wax gets dissolved and clears off. A word of caution, if you had discharging ear before, better to avoid using oil or any wax solvents.
Hope this clarifies your doubts.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
You can try using olive oil or wax solvents...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
When it is said there is ear block following cold, the first thing which strikes to the mind of a doctor is Eustachian tube block. And hence, the discussion got steered towards this problem.
If you strongly believe that the block is secondary to the accumulation of ear wax, you can try using olive oil or wax solvents which are available over the counter. You can use 3-4 drops of oil for 4 times in a day. Once you put the drops, lie down with the instilled ear facing up for at least 5 minutes. Use the oil for 4-5 days so that the wax gets dissolved and clears off. A word of caution, if you had discharging ear before, better to avoid using oil or any wax solvents.
Hope this clarifies your doubts.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Dear D XXXXXXX
Thank you, yes i was having cold and then it got blocked when i traveled. Now the cold is better but the ear is still kind of blocked. , My ear have never discharged or anything, just that when i touch my ear it feels there is wax,so that is why i asked you.
Apologies for any miscommunication. So i will follow your way, after i put olive oil and after 5 minutes when i wake up how do i clean the ear
Thank you, yes i was having cold and then it got blocked when i traveled. Now the cold is better but the ear is still kind of blocked. , My ear have never discharged or anything, just that when i touch my ear it feels there is wax,so that is why i asked you.
Apologies for any miscommunication. So i will follow your way, after i put olive oil and after 5 minutes when i wake up how do i clean the ear
Brief Answer:
Wish you good health
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
It's to good to know that you did not have any ear issues before. Please follow as suggested in the previous response. There is no need to clear the ear manually. It will clear off after using the wax solvents.
Wish you good luck and good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Wish you good health
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
It's to good to know that you did not have any ear issues before. Please follow as suggested in the previous response. There is no need to clear the ear manually. It will clear off after using the wax solvents.
Wish you good luck and good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2540 Questions
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