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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cold And Sore Throat

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Posted on Mon, 6 Mar 2017
Question: I have a bit of a cold going on, some sore throat, some runny nose. It has started on my vacation to Jamaica earlier in the week actually and I initially thought it's just allergies. I flew back home on Wednesday but since yesterday Friday about 11am I have a weird thing developed. It may be hard to describe but it feels like right side of my head is pressurized sometimes and I constantly get a feeling of a clogged ear, I constantly hear what I can only describe as rumbling noise, as if a train was running in a tunnel far away. it's a similar feeling/noise you'd get when you land a plane and your ear clogs but there is no pain associated with this at all. may this be some Ear infection?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
otitis or eustachian tube dysfunction

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

this condition sounds like an otitis media (middle ear) or eustachian tube dysfunction. An ENT specialist can diagnose both. Eustachian tube dysfunction may occur with nasal congestion. Decongestants and local corticosteroids may help with the congestion. Otitis media usually also causes pain and sometimes fever, so I would rate this as a less likely diagnosis in your case.

Sometimes eustachian tube dysfunction improves by itself (without any intervention). Trying to breath out gently (gently emphasized!) with your mouth and nose closed or yawning may help to - at least transiently - open a clogged eustachian tube.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 minutes later)
I also just noticed that when speaking myself of when I listen to things I hear like an echoing inside my ear and if the noise is loud enough it causes some pain/discomfort. Even though the sound seems to be muted by the perceived pressure. Does that sound about right too?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
some ear pain can be expected

Detailed Answer:
When the eustachian tube is clogged the tympanic membrane cannot move normally. This causes dulled hearing and sometimes pain because of the altered pressure. Other potential symptoms include ringing, feeling of fullness and dizziness.

Kind Regards!
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cold And Sore Throat

Brief Answer: otitis or eustachian tube dysfunction Detailed Answer: Hello, this condition sounds like an otitis media (middle ear) or eustachian tube dysfunction. An ENT specialist can diagnose both. Eustachian tube dysfunction may occur with nasal congestion. Decongestants and local corticosteroids may help with the congestion. Otitis media usually also causes pain and sometimes fever, so I would rate this as a less likely diagnosis in your case. Sometimes eustachian tube dysfunction improves by itself (without any intervention). Trying to breath out gently (gently emphasized!) with your mouth and nose closed or yawning may help to - at least transiently - open a clogged eustachian tube. I hope you find my comments helpful! Kind Regards!