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What Causes Anosmia, Nasal Congestion With Thick Mucus And Popping Sound In Ear?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I'm having ongoing issues with my nose (and ears), here's a list of symptoms:
1. Starting from January, my ability to smell decreases
2. In February, got cold-like symptom after skiing, then noticed nose congestion on both nostrils, right one is more serious
3. Nasal congestion decreases after exercises or outside with good air, worse by taking shower or sleeping on my side. When sleeping on the side, the lower one was completed blocked
4. Not too much mucus, if I try to blow out I can see thick white mucus, no blood
5. When tried to cough out mucus, it’s either white or a bit yellow, no blood
6. No swollen bump on neck
7. Starting last month, start to feel that when moving jaw or swallowing, I can hear ear popping sound, on both side, but right side was more obvious. Also notice itchy ears.
8. My ears are rining when surrounding is quiet, but during daytime I don't notice it.
9. Last specialist appointment, the ENT doctor did an flexible nasal endoscopy, and looked into my both ears. She told me that I had a unilateral nasal polyp on my left side, so CT scan and biopsy will be required. She said my ears were find, since she doesn’t deal with nose any more so I need to see another ENT specialist which will take a few weeks of waiting time
Current medication: fluticasone furoate nasal spray, however it didn't seem to help.
My question is:
1. Is my issue serious? Is it OK for me to wait for another month or shall I look for additional investigation immediately? (I always fear of cancer)
2. What's the most likely cause of my symptom?
I'm having ongoing issues with my nose (and ears), here's a list of symptoms:
1. Starting from January, my ability to smell decreases
2. In February, got cold-like symptom after skiing, then noticed nose congestion on both nostrils, right one is more serious
3. Nasal congestion decreases after exercises or outside with good air, worse by taking shower or sleeping on my side. When sleeping on the side, the lower one was completed blocked
4. Not too much mucus, if I try to blow out I can see thick white mucus, no blood
5. When tried to cough out mucus, it’s either white or a bit yellow, no blood
6. No swollen bump on neck
7. Starting last month, start to feel that when moving jaw or swallowing, I can hear ear popping sound, on both side, but right side was more obvious. Also notice itchy ears.
8. My ears are rining when surrounding is quiet, but during daytime I don't notice it.
9. Last specialist appointment, the ENT doctor did an flexible nasal endoscopy, and looked into my both ears. She told me that I had a unilateral nasal polyp on my left side, so CT scan and biopsy will be required. She said my ears were find, since she doesn’t deal with nose any more so I need to see another ENT specialist which will take a few weeks of waiting time
Current medication: fluticasone furoate nasal spray, however it didn't seem to help.
My question is:
1. Is my issue serious? Is it OK for me to wait for another month or shall I look for additional investigation immediately? (I always fear of cancer)
2. What's the most likely cause of my symptom?
Brief Answer:
Seems to be Chroinc sinusitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns that you are having nasal polyp.
Answers for your queries.
1. Your symptoms are suggestive of deviated nasal septum ( blocked one sided during sleep) with sinusitis ( thick mucus) with eustacian tube dysfunction (tube connecting the middle ear and nose, can cause ringing ears).
2. Yes. if you leave, your issue will become serious in means of other complications ( extension of polyp, perforation of ear drum).
3. it's not a cancer, it a infective polyp occurs in anatomically blocked noses(deviated septum).
4. Yes. you can wait for few weeks and use nasal spray and steam inhalation before going for CT scan.
Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Wishing you good health.
Seems to be Chroinc sinusitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns that you are having nasal polyp.
Answers for your queries.
1. Your symptoms are suggestive of deviated nasal septum ( blocked one sided during sleep) with sinusitis ( thick mucus) with eustacian tube dysfunction (tube connecting the middle ear and nose, can cause ringing ears).
2. Yes. if you leave, your issue will become serious in means of other complications ( extension of polyp, perforation of ear drum).
3. it's not a cancer, it a infective polyp occurs in anatomically blocked noses(deviated septum).
4. Yes. you can wait for few weeks and use nasal spray and steam inhalation before going for CT scan.
Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you very much Dr. Siddiqh for your reply. Does it mean that even with Unilateral nasal polyp (the ENT specialist I visited looked into my both nostrils carefully), it's unlikely that my polyp is not tumor?
Today I notice that if I bite my teeths hard on my right side, the symptom ringing ear on my right side is getting worse. Is this expected?
Lastly, I occasionally got throbbing pain on my right temple, is this related with my condition in my nose?
Thank you doctor!
Today I notice that if I bite my teeths hard on my right side, the symptom ringing ear on my right side is getting worse. Is this expected?
Lastly, I occasionally got throbbing pain on my right temple, is this related with my condition in my nose?
Thank you doctor!
Brief Answer:
need CT scan of para nasal sinuses.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for considering my answer and for your follow up.
Answers-
1. Yes. It is unlikely in your age (tumor). It's an infective one, need surgical removal. In associated factors like bleeding, fast extension and eye complications, tumor can be suspected. Any way, go ahead for CT scan of para nasal sinuses.
2. YES. Expected. In case of Eustachian tube blockage, ringing is common and tightness of teeth over corresponding sinus.
3. Head-ache is common in temple, over fore-head and and cheek bone due to sinusitis (corresponding sinuses -frontal, maxillary ans ethmoidal).
All the best. Take care.
need CT scan of para nasal sinuses.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thanks for considering my answer and for your follow up.
Answers-
1. Yes. It is unlikely in your age (tumor). It's an infective one, need surgical removal. In associated factors like bleeding, fast extension and eye complications, tumor can be suspected. Any way, go ahead for CT scan of para nasal sinuses.
2. YES. Expected. In case of Eustachian tube blockage, ringing is common and tightness of teeth over corresponding sinus.
3. Head-ache is common in temple, over fore-head and and cheek bone due to sinusitis (corresponding sinuses -frontal, maxillary ans ethmoidal).
All the best. Take care.
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. Nagamani Ng
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