Clogged ears due to a cold: what to do? 25021 0

Feeling of fullness and tinnitus during a cold - description of the symptom

A symptom called “stuffed ear” occurs due to swelling of the Eustachian tube. This is a common problem, since all ENT organs (nose, ears and throat) are located quite close to each other, especially in young children. The Eustachian tube serves as a kind of “connecting link” between the nasal cavity and the middle ear. When the infection spreads to the auditory tube, the pressure between the nose and ear is equalized, which leads to a feeling of discomfort. It often happens that this happened after a runny nose.

Ear congestion that occurs during a cold is a problem that requires timely treatment. Without this, it is possible to develop such an unpleasant complication as otitis media.

Such a symptom during or immediately after a cold may be accompanied by additional problems such as:

• Noise in ears;
• Slight redness of the ears;
• “Tingling” in the ears;
• Discomfort with sharp sounds;
• Feeling of numbness in the skin of the ears or around them;
• Feeling of “heaviness” in the head;
• Dizziness.

As night approaches, mild pain and fever may develop. This problem will not go away on its own even after other symptoms of the disease disappear. This means that you need to determine the cause of the problem as soon as possible and begin treatment. To do this, you need to contact an otolaryngologist, since such ear problems can lead to hearing impairment in the future.

Ears hurt when you have a cold: what can you do to treat it?

Ear pain is one of the most common troubles caused by a seasonal cold or viral infection. As a rule, the root cause of such trouble is a runny nose, the complication of which is acute pain in the ears. Another common symptom that accompanies ARVI is a feeling of fullness in the ears. In any case, this is a clear reason to consult an ENT doctor. This will help avoid future unwanted problems such as hearing loss or acute otitis media.

Symptom Definition

Ear pain during a cold is a common complication of viral or bacterial inflammation of the nasopharynx. It indicates that the inflammation has already spread to the ear canal. This problem often occurs due to a viral or bacterial runny nose. Ear congestion, constant noise and fluid discharge from the ear canal are all reasons to seek help immediately.

In children under 3 years of age, the transition of otitis media to a chronic form can lead to problems with the correct pronunciation of sounds. This is due to the fact that due to hearing loss, the baby cannot correctly repeat sounds and words that are difficult for him.

Ear pain, as a rule, does not appear immediately, but 2–3 days after the onset of the disease. This is due to the gradual spread of infection through the nasopharynx. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should seek help from your doctor. This will avoid dangerous complications such as hearing loss or meningitis.

The most common cause of ear pain during illness is the transfer of a viral or bacterial infection from the nasopharynx to the ear canal . Often acute otitis media is caused by a chronic runny nose, or rather by blowing the nose too much during it. This could cause

Why ears get stuffy when you have a cold - definition of the symptom

The symptom called “stuffed ears” during a cold most often occurs due to a runny nose. Mucus accumulated in the nose and swelling of the mucous membrane cause a pressure drop in the auditory tube. This is what causes ear discomfort. Most often, this problem disappears on its own along with other symptoms: fever, runny nose, sore throat and cough.

Ear congestion may be accompanied by the following additional symptoms:

• Noise or ringing in the ears;
• Dizziness;
• Itching in the ears;
• Temporary hearing loss;
• Headache;
• Nausea;
• Ear pain.

Ear congestion most often occurs in young children. This is due to the fact that the ear canals in children are narrower. In addition, babies cry more often and get sick with ARVI, which leads to frequent otitis media.

Characteristic symptoms

If its patency is impaired, the pressure decreases and the eardrum retracts. This leads to hearing loss. In the middle ear at this time there is an inflammatory process, the infection provokes swelling of the mucous membranes, sometimes during sneezing or improper blowing of the nose, the inflammatory secretion is thrown into the auditory tube. Symptoms characteristic of ENT diseases appear, as well as when the nasal septum is deviated or water or a foreign body gets into the ear canal. If tubo-otitis (stuffiness) is not treated, it can develop into acute ear inflammation - otitis media. Comprehensive treatment measures are aimed at suppressing infection and eliminating pain. If your ears are blocked due to a cold, treatment should be aimed at getting rid of it.

Why can my ears get clogged?

Against the background of a cold, other diseases can develop that cannot always be recognized, directing all actions to restore breathing. Pathologies that complicate respiratory infection include:

• Otitis . The disease is of bacterial origin and is characterized by the formation of a purulent focus, which entails pain, hyperthermic syndromes, general malaise, and hearing impairment. As the abscess matures, a consistently high body temperature, one-sided congestion, sensitivity of the skin of the parotid space, and acute pain when pressing on the tragus are observed. The condition improves after the boil opens and its contents flow out. It is important to lie on the affected side while sleeping so that the masses do not reach the brain.

• 
  Rhinitis or sinusitis.

  The accumulation of mucous secretions in the nasal cavity affects the state of hearing. Swollen respiratory canals cause discomfort, affecting the throat and ears, so congestion is often caused by a runny nose or sinusitis, especially if they were treated incorrectly and became chronic. To verify the correctness of the assumption, it is necessary to pinch the wings of the nose and exhale intensely: a clicking sound or hum, as well as one-sided congestion, indicate the relationship of diseases.
• Inflammatory lesion of the facial nerve . The disease can be differentiated by the following symptoms: pain in the cheek, temple, chin; manifestations are noted only on one side; a feeling of numbness in the face increases, and a rash appears on the skin behind the ear. The pathology is treated not in the ENT department, but in a neurological hospital. The therapeutic process requires a lot of time.
• Inflammation of the Eustachian tube . The disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, deterioration in the quality of hearing, dizziness, and a feeling of water in the ear canal. If the inflammatory process is not stopped in a timely manner, hearing loss may occur.
• Cerebrovascular accident . A cold causes the development of intoxication circulating throughout the body: this contributes to changes in blood pressure levels. Against the background of a respiratory infection, this indicator may decrease or increase, indicating a violation of blood circulation in the vessels. It is difficult to identify impaired blood flow in the brain tissue at the time of a respiratory illness; it is possible that the help of a neurologist will be required.

A blocked ear during a cold can also occur due to long-term use of certain groups of drugs, where such hearing loss is a side effect. But independently establishing the cause, much less treating the condition, is contraindicated.

Factors causing the problem

The cause of ear problems with a runny nose, ARVI and other diseases of the nose and throat is the anatomical connection between the organs of smell and hearing. The osteochondral canal, or Eustachian tube, connects the cavity of the middle ear and the pharynx in the region of the tubal tonsil. This ensures access of air into the tympanic cavity and equalization of pressure for the correct conduction of auditory vibrations.

The membranous-cartilaginous part of the canal is in a collapsed state and opens with yawning and swallowing. At this moment, in addition to ventilation, the ciliated epithelium expels mucus and pathological elements towards the nasopharynx.

Impaired patency of the Eustachian tube leads to venous stagnation, swelling of the mucous membranes and inflammatory hypersecretion. Obstruction of the flow of liquid contents predisposes to worsening inflammatory phenomena.

Inflammatory process

Swelling of the mucous membrane and plaque on the tonsils that occurs during an infection of the nasopharynx can block the opening of the Eustachian tube. Then the functions of the ear canal are disrupted, and congestion appears in the ear.

With a runny nose and sore throat, the risk of pathogenic flora entering the Eustachian canal and middle ear increases. The cause may be a respiratory viral infection, bacteria, or less commonly fungi.

The channel is about 2 mm wide, so it quickly closes with swelling and exudation. In addition, during inflammation, the function of the ciliated epithelium is suppressed and its evacuation ability is reduced.

The cause of ear discomfort may be a disruption in the conduction of sound through a narrowed ear canal. This happens with external otitis due to swelling or hypertrophy of the skin and with acute auricular lymphadenitis. The latter develops with tonsillitis, pharyngitis and otitis.

Inflammation in allergic rhinitis is not associated with infection. As a result of the reaction to the allergen, the vascular tone in the tissues of the nose is disrupted, liquid sweats through the walls of the vessels, and the mucous membranes swell. Including the patency of the Eustachian canal.

What diseases cause

There are a number of conditions that can cause pain, congestion and tinnitus. Anatomically, the hearing organs are connected to the upper respiratory tract and digestive tract. This is due to the exit of the Eustachian tubes into the pharynx, where the nasal choanae and pharynx also exit.

Thus, almost all respiratory diseases can cause hearing loss and other unpleasant sensations. If they are accompanied by a cough and runny nose, then the likelihood that one or both ears will be blocked is very high. Therefore, it is necessary to boost your immunity and protect yourself from colds.

Viral diseases are often accompanied by swelling of the pharynx and nasopharynx, which also tends to affect the Eustachian tubes. This may be accompanied by ringing in the ears, buzzing, and attacks of dizziness.

Formation of plugs in the ears

A feeling of fullness in the ear occurs when a thick and viscous lump of earwax accumulates in the external auditory canal. Poor ear hygiene and excessive wax production contribute to this, but often the plug becomes a consequence of acute or chronic inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx or ear. At the same time, a lump of wax that irritates the eardrum for a long time causes inflammation of the middle ear.

Intense nose blowing

When you have a runny nose, you need to soften dense lumps of mucus and give it fluidity. If this is not done, excessive pressure will be created when air is blown out intensively. The mucous membrane swells, and pathological discharge is pushed into the ear canal.

Intensive rinsing can also easily lead to infection. The effect of increased pressure is created if a person blows his nose through 2 nostrils at once or gets rid of pathological secretions by drawing them back into the nasal cavity with his nose.

Inflammatory lesion of the facial nerve

Damage to the branches of the facial nerve leads to disruption of normal functioning in the innervation zones:

• facial muscles;
• external and middle ear;
• language;
• lacrimal and salivary glands.

The cause of inflammation may be simple hypothermia. In some cases, neuritis is caused by infectious agents.

Secondary causes of congestion

Discomfort in the ears can occur not only with colds or flu. There are a number of other factors that can provoke this unpleasant sensation:

• ingress of water, for example, when swimming;
• presence of foreign objects, such as insects;
• formation of sulfur plugs;
• fungal infections of the ears;
• deviated nasal septum;
• pressure surges while traveling by plane;
• changes in blood pressure;
• Meniere's syndrome;
• the presence of malignant tumors.

Blocked ears due to cold

A problem such as the feeling of being deaf in one ear brings a lot of discomfort, even pain is possible, and it is necessary to take action as soon as possible. If this occurs due to an acute respiratory infection, treatment should not be delayed; complications can be more serious than with the flu. Faced with this, a person’s perception of his own voice changes, the sound background decreases and in general he has to listen very closely to what is happening around him. In addition, there is a heaviness in the head, it seems as if it is being squeezed in a vice, and there is a possibility of a squeaking sound.

Diagnosis and treatment methods

In order to establish the exact cause of congestion in the ear during a cold, a comprehensive examination of the ENT organs is necessary. It begins with a simple examination of the outer ear by an otolaryngologist. If necessary, the doctor may additionally prescribe such types of studies as tympanoscopy and bacterial examination of ear discharge.

To eliminate congestion in the ears, it is imperative to treat its root cause.

Most causes of ear congestion during a cold require complex treatment. This is due to the fact that all ENT organs are located close to each other, especially in children under 3 years of age. Most often, a combination of drug treatment prescribed by a doctor and folk remedies is used. If the cause of congestion is a wax plug in the ear, the doctor can easily remove it.

Any medications to relieve ear congestion should only be prescribed by a doctor.

In difficult cases, the doctor may prescribe treatment methods such as blowing the auditory tubes according to Politzer, special pneumomassage, or catheterization of the auditory tube.

Diagnostics

If ear congestion due to a cold does not disappear after nasal breathing normalizes, then you should consult an ENT specialist.

Diagnostic methods:

1. Visual examination by a doctor of the nasal passages and ear canal.
2. Audiometry – carried out to assess the quality of hearing. If there is a slight deterioration in sound perception, it is not indicated.
3. X-ray of the paranasal sinuses - to exclude purulent processes.
4. Blood test, bacterial culture of discharge from the ear canal - with the development of otitis media, disruption of the integrity of the eardrum, discharge of purulent masses from the ear canal.
5. Politzer blowing - in the absence of signs of otitis to assess the patency of the Eustachian tube. During the procedure, medications are injected into the cavity. This is a therapeutic and diagnostic procedure.

If ear congestion does not go away, the doctor will prescribe a CT scan of the maxillary sinuses to exclude neoplasms, cysts and an examination of the temporomandibular joint.

What to do and how to treat - medication

When it comes to ear congestion caused by a runny nose, treatment is mainly symptomatic. It is aimed not only at eliminating discomfort in the ears, but also at treating a runny nose.

You should not put any ear drops or other liquids into your ear without a doctor's prescription.

Symptomatic treatment includes the following drugs:

1. Sprays based on purified sea water. Drugs such as Physiomer, Aqualor, Aquamaris, Humer and others help remove mucus from the nose and reduce swelling of the mucous membrane.
2. Vasoconstrictor drops. When instilled into the nose, they reduce swelling of the mucous membrane not only in the nose, but also in the auditory tube. For this purpose, drugs such as Rinor, Tizin, Snoop, Vibrocil, Nazol and others can be effective.
3. Anti-inflammatory ear drops. Needed in cases where the cause of congestion is an inflammatory process in the Eustachian tube. These may be such well-known drugs as Otipax or Otinum.
4. Phytocandles. They are used if the cause of ear congestion is excessive wax formation.

Such drugs simultaneously help eliminate the cause of the symptom and effectively eliminate it.

It is when the ears are stuffy that drops into the nose need to be instilled in such a way that the drug reaches the back wall of the nasopharynx. In this case, it enters the auditory tube as quickly as possible. To do this, instill drops while lying on your back.

If ear congestion has progressed to otitis, then, depending on its cause, the doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs or antibiotics. They eliminate the root cause of the symptom and prevent possible complications.

Remedies for congestion and pain

Proper care of the nasal mucous membranes during illness is one of the most easily accessible ways to alleviate the condition of the ears. The nasal passages should be cleared of mucus accumulations. To do this, you need to blow through your nostrils alternately: while pinching the right one, blow air through the left one, then vice versa.

Proper implementation of this procedure will protect the auditory tubes from particles of mucus and pathogenic microbes entering there, and therefore reduce inflammation of this organ. After eliminating discharge from the nasal cavity, you should rinse the nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa with saline or sea water to relieve swelling. As the swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa decreases, air circulation in the Eustachian tubes will resume.

An effective remedy for relieving swelling of the auditory tubes are antihistamines, both local and systemic. Within half an hour, taking medications such as:

• "Erius";
• "Cetrin";
• "Loratadine."

They effectively relieve swelling. Their effect also extends to the mucous membrane of the auditory tubes, restoring their patency. Medicines are available both in the form of tablets and syrups. Reception is expected, as a rule, once a day. Not all antiallergic drugs are suitable for children. For example, Cetrin can only be used by patients over 6 years of age. Children are recommended to use Fenistil or Zyrtec drops and Erius syrup.

Nasal sprays and drops, which are designed to combat a runny nose, will help unblock the nasal passages and improve the condition of the nasopharynx. Vasoconstrictors that have a pronounced anti-edematous effect, for example, Sanorin and Nazivin drops, help most quickly.

But their effect is short-lived: within a few hours the mucous membrane will become swollen again and the exits of the auditory tubes will be blocked, which will lead to renewed ear congestion. Long-term use can lead to the opposite result: swelling of the mucous membrane and increased discomfort in the ears. These medications are prescribed by an ENT doctor, who must monitor the results.

To treat blocked ears, medications are also used that are injected into the external auditory canal. One of the most popular is Otipax. These drops have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. But to use them, you need a doctor’s prescription, since before use you need to make sure the integrity of the eardrum and take into account side effects.

Otipax

These are drops that are a clear or yellow oily liquid with a slight odor of alcohol.

The active components of the product are lidocaine and phenazone, which have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Under their influence, the mucus is liquefied and removed to the outside. The usual dose is 3-4 drops in each ear canal 2-3 times a day; for children the dosage is slightly lower. The drug can be used during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Otinum

The drug is popular because it has a quick effect. The active substances, salicylate and glycerol, destroy infections and viruses, relieve inflammation. It is not prescribed for purulent otitis, bronchial asthma, pregnancy and children under one year of age.

If your ears are blocked during a cold, the number of drops for treatment is 2-3 three times a day. The dosage can be increased if the patient’s condition is serious, but only the attending physician has the right to do this.

Garazon

Another effective drops for ear congestion during colds, which have an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect.

They contain the antibiotic betamethasone, which eliminates the infection and removes it from the body. The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy; it is prescribed with caution to children under 12 years of age.

Medical assistance

A visit to the doctor is the only right decision. At the appointment, the doctor will listen to complaints, determine the underlying disease that caused ear congestion, and draw up a treatment plan. Treatment of tubo-otitis is aimed at restoring the patency of the Eustachian tube. To do this, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disorder - a respiratory disease. To combat a viral infection, doctors often prescribe Derinat. The drug is suitable for both treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections in adults and children from birth. Available in the form of nasal drops and spray. The main advantages include triple action:

• antiviral - helps fight pathogens - viruses;
• immunomodulatory - enhances the body's natural defenses;
• reparative - restores and strengthens the nasopharyngeal mucosa, thereby minimizing the risk of complications and secondary bacterial infection.

Derinat is sold in pharmacies. You can study the instructions on the website in the appropriate section. Before use, consult your doctor. If the ear is stuffy, a specialist can also prescribe drops to eliminate swelling and relieve pain.

Compresses

Application of compresses is an auxiliary warming procedure for restoring damaged tissues and hearing organs, as well as normalizing blood circulation. Restoring the conductivity of the ear canals by heating is possible only in the absence of an acute inflammatory process. Warming up is especially effective for otitis, tonsillitis, and ear congestion due to eustachitis. Popular compresses are:

• semi-alcohol and alcohol;
• based on camphor;
• based on Dimexide.

The compress involves generously moistening a cotton swab or bandage in a medicinal solution and placing it in the ear canals. Before applying the bandage, you should clean the ears from dirt with cotton swabs.

Rules for therapeutic compression

First you need to choose the type of compress. Typically, alcohol compresses based on boric alcohol, propolis tincture, and essential oil (eucalyptus, tea tree) are used. The procedure algorithm looks like this:

• making gauze (cut out a piece of gauze and fold it into several layers in proportion to the human ear)
• make an incision corresponding to the length of the auricle;
• prepare a piece of polyethylene and cotton wool;
• moisten the gauze in the medicinal composition;
• Place a damp cloth on the ear, wrap it with film, cotton wool, and secure it with a bandage.

The compress is removed after 4 hours, after which the skin is lubricated with moisturizing baby cream. If you feel a strong burning sensation during the procedure, you should not tolerate it, you need to remove the gauze. To prevent burns, the skin is pre-lubricated with Vaseline, fatty cream or animal fat. To treat children, semi-alcohol compresses are made by diluting the usual components with water in a ratio of 1:3 or 4.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is used as an auxiliary treatment method. It is used to relieve inflammation in the nasopharynx and warm the ear during the rehabilitation period.

The type of procedure is prescribed by an ENT specialist. The standard course is 10 procedures.

Physiotherapeutic methods to relieve ear congestion after a cold:

1. Ultraviolet irradiation of the nasopharynx. The procedure for quartzing the nasopharynx, familiar since childhood. Ultraviolet light suppresses pathogenic flora, dries out the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.
2. UHF - heating with high frequency currents is indicated only in the absence of a purulent process in the ear. Emitter plates are installed on the affected ear and in the temporal region.
3. Electrophoresis – for administering medications non-invasively. Turundas are impregnated with the medicine. Antibiotics, decongestants and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.

If the ear does not hear, fluid transfusion is felt, or pus is released, then physiotherapy is contraindicated. First, you should find out the cause of temporary hearing loss, take measures to remove liquid discharge and sanitize the tympanic cavity.

Atypical methods

It also happens that congestion in the ears is caused by other, non-inflammatory reasons, even against the background of an existing cold. To eliminate this symptom, you can try the following simple ways to get rid of congestion:

• inflating balloons;
• chewing gum
• outer ear massage;
• deep entrance with open mouth, yawn.

If all these methods do not help, then the cause of congestion is probably a cold or the onset of an acute respiratory viral infection. To relieve congestion and prevent infection, you can start rinsing the ear canals and nose with saline solutions and saline solutions based on sea water.

How can you not treat ear congestion?

Any self-medication can harm your ear health. If your ear is blocked and hurts, and simple ways to get rid of the stuffiness have not helped, then you should urgently consult a doctor. It is strictly prohibited:

• Warm your ears with a heating pad;
• Apply compresses;
• Instill boric alcohol;
• Insert tampons, suppositories and other devices into the ear.

These actions will not help cure congestion caused by a cold, but they can contribute to the development of inflammation and otitis media. A common cause of congestion during colds is improper nose blowing. You need to blow your nose by closing one nostril and gradually exhaling air from the other. Do the same with the other nostril.

Effective folk remedies and their use

The ear is blocked and hurts often with a cold. Many home remedies involve relieving pain, noise and congestion in the ears without taking medications. These include instillation of heated liquids, gargling, inhalations, heating pads, and aromatherapy. What to do if your ear is blocked due to a cold?

A small selection of folk recipes

What to do if tinnitus does not go away after a cold? To eliminate this irritating effect of the disease, instillation of an alcoholic tincture of lemon balm is used. The procedure is usual, the quantity is no more than 5 drops.

It happens that the ear is blocked after the flu. This viral infection is often accompanied by swelling of the mucous membrane, which eucalyptus oil will help relieve. It is best to inhale with this remedy. If it is not possible to use inhalation devices at home, then it is done using hot water. Pour hot water into a bowl standing steadily on the table and add 4-5 drops of eucalyptus mala. Inhale the steam by bending over a bowl and covering yourself with a towel.

The use of various folk remedies brings the desired effect in uncomplicated cases of the disease. In more severe cases, you cannot do without the help of doctors and taking medications. Hearing is one of the most important channels of information about the world around us, so its preservation is worth attention and care.

Unconventional methods

If your ear is blocked and cannot hear, you can try some of your grandmother's methods. Traditional medicine against ear congestion has several effective recipes:

• instillation of geranium juice (2-3 drops several times a day);
• horseradish drops (3 drops in each ear 2 times a day);
• honey packing (a cotton wool or gauze swab is soaked in honey and inserted into the ear canal for 3-4 hours);
• garlic and onion drops (the juice of 1 onion and 4 cloves of garlic are mixed, filtered and instilled 3 times a day).

The only disadvantage of traditional methods of treatment is the possibility of developing allergies, as well as the ineffectiveness of therapy for advanced forms of the purulent process.

If your ears become blocked as a result of or after a cold, this is a sign of the development of complications that need to be addressed urgently.

Congestion in the ears due to a cold must be carefully diagnosed. Self-medication in this case can provoke a number of complications, including severe forms of otitis in children and adults.

Soda solution

Soda solution is the most effective remedy. When your ear is blocked after a cold, you should use it to restore your own hearing. To do this, you need to prepare a warm mixture, which is carefully but quickly poured directly into the sink using a disposable syringe. After ARVI, only this method is considered optimal.

If your ear is blocked due to a cold, baking soda will help remove the blockage. It is not difficult to use, but it is necessary to avoid pain. Otherwise, dire consequences will appear, followed by hospitalization and long-term treatment. .

How to treat congestion in a child

Due to the horizontal position of the Eustachian tube and the presence of adenoids, the risk of ear complications from colds in children increases. They can be prevented without triggering the course of diseases of the upper respiratory tract and ENT organs. But if congestion has already occurred, then the same methods as for adults will help to cope with the problem.

But we must remember that nasal sprays are not used in children under 1 year of age, vasoconstrictor drops must be in child concentration, and antibacterial agents have an age limit. From birth you can use Otipax and Otofu, but only the latter is allowed for perforation of the eardrum. And when using folk remedies, allergies are possible.

How to treat ear congestion due to a cold

Colds and flu are often accompanied by stuffy ears. To get rid of this unpleasant symptom, you first need to understand the reasons for its occurrence.

Why do ears get stuffy when you have a cold?

The natural human hearing system consists of the outer, middle and inner ear, with the middle ear separated from the outer ear by the eardrum. The Eustachian tube is a canal connecting the pharynx and the middle ear, due to which the pressure in the middle ear is equalized.

It is almost impossible not to catch a cold in the Russian winter, so a runny nose is a common problem for any resident of our country during the cold season. In such situations, the Eustachian tube swells and narrows, causing the middle ear pressure to “get stuck” at one level and no longer adjust to the external air pressure. The result is a feeling of stuffiness in the ears.

How to cure clogged ears due to a runny nose

There are several ways to treat clogged ears due to a cold:

- ear drops;

- compresses;

- vasoconstrictor nasal drops;

- exercises to normalize pressure in the middle ear.

Among the ear drops, Albucid, Otium, Sofradex or Risorcin solution can help in the treatment of ear congestion. All of them have an anti-inflammatory effect on the mucous membrane and kill pathogenic microbes.

We should not forget that ear congestion is just a syndrome, and priority should be given to treating the disease itself - the flu or a cold.

Vasoconstrictor nasal drops - for example, Sanorin or Galazolin - also help relieve ear congestion. However, you need to remember that such medications quickly dry out the nasal mucosa, so they should not be abused. Doctors usually recommend using such drugs for no more than seven days.

Alcohol compresses usually provide a good therapeutic effect for ear congestion. They are not difficult to make: water is mixed with alcohol in equal parts, folded gauze is dipped into this liquid and placed on the ear so that it does not penetrate into the auricle itself. The long-term application of a compress will further enhance the therapeutic effect of such a simple procedure. For example, you can cover the gauze with plastic and leave it overnight, bandaging your ear.

What other diseases can cause stuffy ears?

Since a runny nose and a cold are far from the only possible causes of ear congestion, it is recommended to consult an otolaryngologist at the first feeling of congestion. The fact is that a similar symptom is also typical for inflammation of the middle or inner ear, a deviated nasal septum, and when water or a foreign object gets into the ear canal.

Any medications for ear congestion may contain potent substances, so it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor before using them.

Such diseases and malfunctions of the auditory organ require qualified medical care in most cases. Timely consultation with a doctor will help prevent possible hearing loss, which is usually difficult to treat. It may be impossible to regain the former hearing acuity after such complications.

KakProsto.ru>

What to do if ear congestion occurs outside the city

If your ears are blocked due to a cold, and you cannot see a doctor, it is important to understand what to do at home to eliminate the problem. If the patient is on a business trip or tourist trip, where there are no adequate conditions for therapy, use the following advice from traditional healers:

1. Use the healing properties of natural medicines, namely a piece of onion or a head of garlic. You will need to squeeze a few drops of juice from vegetables and drop them into the auricle.
2. To warm up the eardrum, you should make a textile lotion by dipping a piece of fabric in warm water. It is placed briefly inside the ear canal. In this case, you need to tie a scarf or scarf over your ear.
3. Colds and ear congestion can be treated with mint or sage. The herbs are poured with boiling water and infused for 10-15 minutes. Until the infusion has completely cooled down, you need to dip a cotton pad in it and apply it to the auricle.

How to treat stuffy ears

Ears need to be treated comprehensively, because ear congestion during a cold can only be an echo of another problem.

Rinse your mouth not only with saline solutions; ready-made preparations are also suitable. The most effective are Rivanol or Reamed, in the form of ointments a compress is applied to the ear area, you can apply Tentorium.

Most often, ears are blocked due to congenital changes in the ear canal or in the space between the eardrum and nasopharynx. Sometimes it is difficult to even understand which ear is problematic; in general, this can only be done by a doctor who has thoroughly examined the eardrum. If there is a wax plug, rinsing is done directly at the appointment; this is a virtually painless process, performed by a doctor using a strong stream of warm water. As for inflammatory processes, the functioning of the middle bones is disrupted, which leads to the appearance of deafness. With this diagnosis, doctors prescribe special drops in tandem with warming with a blue lamp.

If an ARVI cold has made it difficult to hear normally, try making your own solution to rinse the nasal passages. This is where the problem sometimes lies. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one glass of warm boiled water and use a syringe without a needle to rinse each nasal passage. Then place vasoconstrictor drops into each passage. It is highly not recommended to use boric alcohol, much less pick your ears, without a doctor’s advice.

What not to do for a patient

Congestion in one ear is a common complication after a cold. It is important to consult with your doctor in a timely manner about how to treat ear congestion during a cold. If such an opportunity is not expected in the near future, it is worth understanding what measures exactly need to be abandoned so as not to worsen the situation. A few simple rules will help protect yourself from complications in the field of ear diseases:

• try not to touch the auricle when combing, do not pick at it with an ear stick or even a match, otherwise you can damage the thin area;
• do not rub the organ inside with cotton swabs, swabs, earplugs, or other objects;
• Under no circumstances should you drip alcohol into the passage during acute respiratory viral infections, including medical ones, otherwise you can get serious complications: hearing loss, partial deafness.

Causes of stuffy ears

Why can ears become blocked during illness? Because the ENT organs are located close to each other. The middle ear is connected to the nasopharynx by the Eustachian tube. Deterioration of its patency occurs as a result of:

• inflammation of the inner lining of the nose,
• swelling of the mucous membrane,
• infection in the ear canal.

It happens that pathogenic agents enter the Eustachian tube due to improper rinsing of the nose. This leads to the development of tubootitis, one of the most common complications of acute respiratory viral infections. If treatment is not started in time, the disease can develop into otitis media. It is dangerous due to its consequences: meningitis, sepsis, brain abscess. Therefore, if your ear is very blocked due to a cold, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.

What complications can there be?

The most common complications of ear congestion that occurs with a common cold can be:

• purulent otitis;
• sinusitis;
• lesions of the facial nerve;
• perforation of the eardrum;
• meningitis;
• significant hearing loss.

If untimely or incorrect treatment is used, hearing loss can disturb the patient for a long time, and sometimes even lead to complete loss.

Perforation of the eardrums is also dangerous, as it opens the ear to all kinds of infections, including meningitis.

Attention

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes of the brain, accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature, stiff neck, severe headache, decreased visual function, and hallucinations.

Meningitis is a very serious illness that rarely goes away without a trace. It can result in epilepsy, mental retardation (in children), or even death.

How to prevent ear congestion during a cold?

Ear congestion is a preventable problem. First of all, when you have a runny nose, you need to regularly and properly clean your nasal passages.

It will be useful to rinse the nasal cavity with antiseptics - saline solution, infusions prepared from medicinal herbs, and medications based on sea water.

Preventive measures consist of observing the following rules:

• during epidemics of acute respiratory infections or influenza, try to avoid public places, rinse your nose or lubricate it with oxolinic ointment before going outside;
• on a cold and windy day, you need to dress according to the weather and be sure to wear a hat that covers your ears;
• regularly carry out wet cleaning of the premises, ventilate the rooms, while avoiding drafts;
• at the first signs of acute respiratory infections, flu or other infectious diseases, stay at home, stay in bed, call a doctor and start treatment;
• do not try to endure the disease “on your feet”, in these cases the disease may worsen, including severe complications
• in winter and spring, take vitamin complexes;
• monitor proper nutrition, include fresh vegetables and fruits, natural juices in the menu.

Maintaining ear hygiene is of great importance. They should be cleaned regularly with cotton swabs; sharp objects such as hairpins or matches should not be used.

However, it is also not worth going beyond what is reasonable. Cleaning the ear canals of wax too often is not beneficial, since it has a protective function.

Taking good care of your health will help you avoid ear infections and serious complications.

conclusions

Ear congestion is a common consequence of a runny nose or careless nose blowing. This leads to a pressure drop in the auditory tube and impaired mobility of the eardrum. Noise and congestion in the ears are a clear reason to stop self-medication and seek advice from an otolaryngologist.

This is worth doing even if the other symptoms of the disease have already stopped. Unpleasant sensations in the ear, such as a feeling of fullness and noise, occur when inflammation has spread to the auditory tube. Without a timely diagnosis and timely treatment, this can lead to otitis media or eustachitis.

Sources

• https://drLOR.online/diagnostika-lechenie/zalozhennost-ushej/pri-prostude-kak-bystro-izbavitsya.html
• https://drLOR.online/diagnostika-lechenie/zalozhennost-ushej/pri-prostude-prichiny-simptoma-i-lechenie.html
• https://lor-orvi.ru/zabolevanie/prostuda/zakladyvaet-ushi/
• https://VipLor.ru/uho/zalozhilo-pri-prostude
• https://gluhihnet.ru/simptomy/zalozhilo-uho-pri-prostude-chto-delat.html
• https://nasmorkam.net/zalozheny-ushi-pri-prostude/
• https://respiratornie-bolezni.com/prostuda/zalozhilo-uho-pri-prostude.html
• https://plannt.ru/zalozheno-uho-pri-prostude
• https://NaturDoc.ru/zalozhilo-uho-pri-prostude/
• https://LorSovet.ru/uho/simptomy-uho/pochemu-zakladyvaet-ushi-pri-prostude.html
• https://uhoonline.ru/simptomatika/zalozhennost/zalozhilo-ushi-pri-prostude-chto-delat-i-kak-lechitsya