Blocked Eustachian tube

[glamwales]

Hi all

Has anyone here had a blocked eustachian tube ? I have and Im really suffering at present. I just want to comfirm symptons as I have no faith in the ENT doc I saw today.

Im off work and my quality of life sucks constant headache, dizziness, motion sickness, nausea, sinus pain -

can anyone here relate ?

Neil

 

[panthera]

Had that happen as a kid

They finally had to lay a drain. Same symptoms, major, seriously major pain.
In those days, removing tonsils was considered 'out'. Doctors made an exception when it happened, and happened and happened again.
Thank goodness, it hasn't happened since. Not saying that is the cause of your problem, but you are right to check around - doctors often focus on the 'diagnosis of the week'.
Hope you get better soon, I know what you're going through, it is so not fun.

 

[glamwales]

Thanks Panthera - quick response.

After 6 months it's really got me down. Im getting a second opinion on Monday - I've decided to go private and get it sorted out. Apparently he is the best in Wales.

The doc today was the usual rude consultant type who didnt even introduce himself, never mind ask about my medical history !

 

[iheartmaytag]

I was an Audiology Major

A blocked eustachian tube should not cause all the symptoms you are describing. What you should mostly see is the feeling of fullness in your middle ear (vacuum otitis media) Posible fluid in the middle ear (serious otitis media) and sometimes but not always a middle ear infection caused from the above two (acute otitis media) With these there will be some hearing loss, up to about 25 db.

The middle ear where the eustachian tube is connected to is a small space which houses the three bones of the middle ear which connects the tympanic membrane to the oval window. The three bones act as an amplifier for the sound waves entering the hearing apparatius.

Balance issues (vertigo) Headache, motion sickness is not usually middle ear. This is inner ear vestibular involvement. It is possible to have a inner ear infection that can cause these symptoms, as well as other issues and syndromes. One of the most common causes of balance issues is elevated blood sugar (diabetes).

I would ask for another opinion, you may also ask for an audiometric exam, a tympanogram will tell you if there is any compliance of the tympanic membrane and thus give an idea of the middle ear health and patiency of the eustachian tube.

If inner ear, vestibular involvement is suspected your doctor could order a ENG, Electronystagmogram. This is the gold standard in testing inner ear disorders.

Below is some information I cut and pasted.

How is Eustachian tube blockage treated?

There are several maneuvers that can be done to improve Eustachian tube function. The simple act of swallowing activates the muscles in the back of the throat which help open the Eustachian tube. Chewing gum, drinking, or eating promotes swallowing. Yawning is even better because it is a stronger muscle activator. If the ears still feel full, you can try to forcibly open the Eustachian tube by taking a deep breath and blowing while pinching your nostrils and closing your mouth. When you feel a pop, you know you have succeeded. If problems persist despite trying to forcibly open the tubes, you may need to seek medical attention. If you feel dizzy performing this maneuver, then stop and discuss this with your doctor.

If you have a cold, sinus or ear infection, or suffer an allergy attack, it may be advisable to postpone a trip by airplane. Similarly, individuals with Eustachian tube problems may find such sports as scuba diving painful, and in some situations quite dangerous. Babies traveling on airplanes cannot intentionally pop their ears, but may do so if they are sucking on a bottle or pacifier. While descending on an air flight, it is best to feed your baby and not allow him to sleep.

Many air plane travelers with Eustachian tube problems use a decongestant by mouth or nasal spray an hour before take off, and, if necessary, prior to descent. The decongestant acts to shrink the membranes lining the nose and throat, allowing the ears to equalize more easily. Similarly, patients experiencing chronic daily problems with Eustachian tube dysfunction can benefit by aggressive control of allergies (antihistamines, decongestants, and prescription nasal sprays). Allergy evaluation can be helpful. In severe situations, a tube can be surgically placed through the eardrum, replacing the role of a functioning Eustachian tube to equalize the ear pressure.

Eustachian Tube Problems At A Glance
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear space to the back of the nose.
Normally, the Eustachian tube is closed.
Partial or complete blockage of the Eustachian tube can cause popping, clicking, and ear fullness.
The Eustachian tube can become blocked from common colds or allergies.
Altitude changes can cause symptoms in persons with Eustachian tube problems.
Several maneuvers can be done to improve Eustachian tube function.

 

[iheartmaytag]

I want to add

Eustachian tube disorders rarely occur in adults to a degree that requires ventilation tubes. In most cases if this is the cause of your problems, can be treated with drugs.

Children are a whole different story. In the small structure of a childs head the eustachian tubes are almost horizontal in nature. This allows more problems with children's middle ears. Adults as they grow the tubes become more slanted and there are less chances of infection. Everyone is different so it is always best to consult a Otolayrngologist (ENT) as you have done.

 

[glamwales]

I was given a steroid spray and had a ear drum pressure test and hearing test. lets hope it works

Neil

 

[iheartmaytag]

The ear drum pressure test (Typanogram) is good, what did it show? Or did they say. Normal should be a center peak on the plotter.

What about the Audiogram, did they mention a hearing loss. Normal range is zero to 10DB. If you have a blocked tube with any fluid in the middle ear you could have up to a 25db loss, or a threahold of around 35db.

Steroid spray?? Is the nasal or throat. I know there is that shift from antibiotics for ear infection, but if it has been bothering you for this long there should be at least some systemic steroids used to reduce the inflammation.

I hope you do better soon.

 

[laundromat]

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[glamwales]

Thanks iheart

I was given a nasal spray called nasonex.

As for my results they dont say , thats one thing I hate about the NHS. Roll on monday !

 

[iheartmaytag]

Nasonex is good

I am not an MD, but I do question the usefullness in your situation. Nasonex is usually used for seasonal allergies mostly post nasal drip, and stuffiness. Inflamation of the nasopharynx can influence the eustachian tubes. Do you show any other signs, i.e. sneezing, post nasal drip, coughing?

Hopefully if you give this a week or so things will be better, if not don't hesitate to go back again, and again. There is a plethera of problems that can cause the same symptoms that a steroid will never help.

 

[aquarius1984]

Thank God,

Neil,

Im so glad your ok, been worried sick about you with not hearing off you in absolutely ages. I know your illness has been dragging on for ages but I was worried worse had happened since.

Hope you feel better soon - thinking of you and hope you are better soon.

Hugs and love to you, Henry and Honey.

Rob and Paul

 

[jeffg]

Neil, have there been any changes in your environment the past six months? This question might take some time to answer. New house, pet(s), carpeting, bed etc? Long-term symptoms like the ones you're having can be a sign of a chronic allergy.

 

[sudsmaster]

Forcibly blowing one's nose is a major cause of blocked eustachian tubes. If one has a cold or the flu at the time, forcible nose blowing can also force infected material into the ears and cause an infection like Otitis media. For this reason I question the wisdom of holding one's nose shut and blowing with mouth closed.

To help avoid blockage and infected ears, suggest limiting strong nose blowing (sniffing it back and swallowing actually helps prevent further infection anyway). Decongestants and antihistamines can also help reduce the swelling that can block the tubes.

If the ear is infected then a course of antibiotics probably will help. But it does take time to recover from it.

 

[appnut]

I've decided to go private and get it sorted out. Appare

I'm sorry you are having to endure this. Little children have this a lot and end up getting tubes put in their ears.

And on another note, you idiots want socialized, public government-run medicine? NO THANK YOU!!! I need the best for all my physical challenges and that doesn't show up in run of the mill environments and not being able to see specialists!!! I couldn't stomach the crap in Canada and western europe

 

[2drumsallergy]

Hi Neil,
I had that about 10 years ago, I got an infection from swimming in the Sea. The Irish Sea in my area is terribly contaminated with untreated sewage. You have my sympathy, it was terribly painful for me and the dizziness made me vomit. It took two months and several courses of Antibiotics before I got better. The Antibiotic that worked for me was called Flagil.
I hope and pray you will feel better soon.

Take care.

David

 

[2drumsallergy]

National Health Service

Hi Bob,
I don't know about the USA health system but the NHS in the UK provides free health care for all at point of use. It is by no means perfect and not without its problems but all in all I admire it. I have had nothing but positive experiences with the NHS in my area.

David

 

[glamwales]

Jeff

Im convinced I am allergic to my office. It is a brand new building with no opening windows and has a large handfull of employees are suffering from various sinus, asthma and skin complaints. The term sick building syndrome has been suggested and possible air conditioning.

I also got 2 pups 6 months ago but Ive always had a dog - so I doubt it would be that.

Iheart

Other symptons include a gluey feeling in my ear ( about an inch in ) and cheek. An 'itch' that seems to come and go and a feeling of air trapped in one side of my head. I also have nasal dripping which is causing nausea and some morning sickness.

im 27 going on 72.

 

[jeffg]

Neil, then the first step is take a few weeks off work, go somewhere dry and hot and see if your symptoms decrease or disappear altogether. Especially in a new building, the list of possible allergens is longer than your, er, arm.

 

[panthera]

Even with its limitations, the NHS

provides the folks in the UK with an enormously better health care system than the US offers it's taxpayers.
A truly 'socialist' system, by the by, would not permit private practices...tho' yes, the British system has many failings related to the structure. Still, it says something when every German medical student I tutor tries hard to do their second practical year in the UK. I've visited graduates in Manchester, they've shown me their teaching hospitals. If, may the gods forbid, I should suddenly fall ill on the street and my survival, not to mention future good health depended on the ability, care and facility of the emergency room personnel...well, I'd take a big city or a hamlet or a rural county hospital in the UK over the US, anytime.
Actually, after the way my parents (who have money, social standing, insurance) were treated in the emergency room in Fort Collins, I think I'd take a hut in the Stepps of Mongolia over the US system at the present moment. No matter how good the nurses and doctors are, your current system does not work.
Period.
Calling all Western European systems socialist and of poor quality is, however, just plain wrong. Bob, why don't you do some independent research - your comments on this and other related topics tell me that you are only getting information from people who cherry-pick at best and outright lie at worst.

 

[MrX]

I've been there with ear problems!

I have had on-going problems with my ears for pretty much my entire life and continue to have the odd ear infection from time to time. However, I've found the following things have helped a lot.

I've had tubes put into my ear drums as a kid and also had to have a typmanoplasty (graft put into my ear drum) as an adult due to damage from recurrent infections!

1) Use a steroid spray such as flixonase (which is available over-the-counter) if you are feeling bunged up.

2) Use olbas oil inhaler or pastels. This is a natural blend of various strong smelling oils which will clear your noise out if 'sniffed'. They work fantastically well and do not have any nasty chemicals or side effects. I find this stuff fantastic, particularly if I have a cold. Your local pharmacy will have it in stock.

3) Eliminate any sources of dust from your home: This means regular vacuuming with a good vacuum cleaner, preferably with a HEPA filter. Removal of carpets in favour of hard flooring e.g. wood or tiles is also worth considering. If you can't get rid of your carpets, it can be worth getting them cleaned by a professional who is aware of how to eliminate dust mites and then regularly vacuum with a powerful vacuum that has a HEPA filter from that point onwards. We got rid of all of our carpets and put in wood flooring and it has made an enormous difference to me.
Also make sure that you vacuum areas like behind radiators etc as they can end up storing up dust and distributing it into the air when they're heating.

4) Check your home for any signs of dampness or mould. Many homes have problems which people put up with that can be easily solved by something as simple as fitting a more powerful bathroom fan. Check for any smells of 'must' in areas where there is plumbing e.g. under sinks, in the bathroom, utility room etc.
Black mould which looks like little black stains on surfaces can be really bad as it produces spores that can really cause very nasty symptoms.
Check for any other signs of fungus / mould too. You would be amazed at how much can grow simply because of a hidden leaky pipe under a bath or shower or behind an appliance. Or because of poor ventilation in a steamy area.

5) Ensure that you have adequate ventilation in your home. Older houses in this part of the world often had their fireplaces removed without an adequate alternative form of ventilation being installed. When these houses had fireplaces in use the air in the room was changed up to 7 times per hour! They were extremely well ventilated. However as central heating became the norm these were often removed and simply plastered over. If you're in an old house, I would suggest that you seriously investigate whether the ventilation is adequate. You can have simple ventilators installed in the walls which will allow are to flow in and out, or you can go all out and get a heat-recovery ventilation system installed which will change the air and retain the heat thorough a heat exchanger system.

7) Check that you are not allergic / react to milk. Quite a high % of people produce a lot of mucus in their throats when they drink cows milk. It is so common that many broadcasters and singers avoid milk or milk-based products before going on air / performing. Try eliminating milk from your diet for a week or so and see if you notice a dramatic improvement. You can often eat cheese without any impact and there are plenty of other ways of ensuring a good supply of calcium in your diet.
Remember, liquid milk only became a big part of peoples' diets in the 1900s when pasturised bottled milk deliveries became possible and when people started to have domestic refridgerators in their homes. Before that, milk wasn't consumed in anything like the quantities it is today in Europe or the US/Canada.

8) if you have access to a steam room in your local gym/spa try using it once a week or so. Steam can really help clear out your sinuses and nose. Failing that, have a relaxing long hot shower now and again.

9) And this is a serious one - if you are blowing your nose when you have a cold etc make sure that you only close one nostril and blow. Do not blow both sides at the same time and do not blow excessively hard. You can force infected mucus up your eustachian tubes. This can cause a localised infection that will close the tube and create the conditions for a middle ear infection. Or, the bacteria from your throat can even enter your middle ear. So, basically: blow gently!!

If you're flying, consider taking some of those chewable olbas oil pastels with you to keep your nasal passageways clear while on the flight. Try yawning and swallowing rather than poping your ears by blowing.

Anyway - those are my practical tips for dealing with stuffed up ears!

I've found that by controlling some of those factors I've made what was a serious medical problem into a manageable practical one.

 

[iheartmaytag]

Glamwales,
The full, glue feeling you are experiencing is due to the blocked tube. The middle ear should be at ambient pressure, when the tube is blocked it creates a vacuum in this space which will pull the tympanic membrane inwards. This inward pressure is where you feel the down in the barrell feeling. Equalizing the pressure through a Modified Valsava manuver will relieve this pressure.

This is accomplished by holding your nose and with your mouth closed gently blow like you are blowing your nose. You can also effect this manuver in the opposite direction by holding your nose and swallowing the Toynbee manuever(swallowing with nose pinched and mouth closed). Another manuver that is suggested for divers when equalizing the middle ear pressure This is called a FRENZL manuver with your mouth, nose, and throat closed, use your tongue like a piston,driving the mass of your tongue backwards). This is not as forceful as the Valsava with less chance of barotrauma.


Yes if there is an infection present you can risk blowing some bacteria into the middle ear, this is why if you are experiencing a blocked eustachian tube the doctor should have placed you on an antibiotic. The valsava manuver is not a cause of blocked tube, and is a good way to return equal pressure. But it can be a cause of infection and in some cases if done improperly a cause of barotrauma of the hearing apparatis.

What you are describing is chronic in nature at this point, six months. If the Nasonex doesn't offer you any relief within a couple of weeks, ask your doctor for a systemic steroid. You will notice almost instantanious relief. This is not something that can be solved on the internet. This is something that you and your doctor should discuss.
The next step your ENT will probably take is allergy testing to see what the trigger is, he may also take a closer look at the Nasopharyngeal area for any abnormal structures and swelling.

 

[glamwales]

My MRI Scan is tomorrow. ( 29th) please wish me luck all !

Im scared - always a whimp when its me.

Glam

 

[panthera]

Honey,

You'll be just fine. It can get a bit loud in there, but you are in one of the few truly safe places in modern medicine. Nothing, but nothing can happen to you when you are protected by all that equipment.
The manufacturers make their profits by ensuring perfect quality, I did a lot of translation work on the SIEMENS MRIs in the mid-2000s. Whether SIEMENS, GE or Philips, they have all production lines using the 'everyone has the right to stop things at any time' approach - and, in fact, the reason MRIs have become so popular is their safety and non-invasive diagnostic capacity.
Look at it this way, unless you're in the habit of hiring 10,000pound/night guys, this is the most expensive, ahem!, tunnel you'll ever get snug in.
Keep us up to date and let's hope they find what's bugging you.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Nasonex

I use this all year round, on prescription from the doctor. I'm bothered by "polypoidal nasal lining", which means that small polyps form on the lining of the nose, which then get further irritated by my allergies (majorly by dust, grass and cat; slightly by dog and tree). In effect, I have perennial rhinitis.

The polyps are too small for surgery, and anyway, according to the doctors, they tend to grow back.

 

[aquarius1984]

HEPA Filters?

I have to chip in on this being a collector of some 40+ Vacuum cleaners who knows his stuff.

The hype about HEPA filters just seems to be about selling a product and not relief for allergy sufferers.

I dont particularly care about what health organisations have to say about such filters as the applications they are used in render them useless.

Taking Dyson and Miele, they offer a few cleaners with HEPA filters as do many El Cheapo brands, for the HEPA to actually make some difference the cleaner has to pick up the dirt in the first place to keep it in the machine behind a filter,

None of the Mieles, Dysons or EL cheapo brands clean as well as a true vintage Dirty Fan cleaner with decent brushroll designed to beat the carpets.

The proof really is in the pudding,

If I use the Dyson or Miele for a cleans as I invariably do when I come to use one of my vintage Hoovers the dirt I get out the carpets is shocking, Kim and Aggie would die!
This dirt and dust left behind by these inferior machines only creates a dusty atmosphere which I notice by my need to dust furniture more as the dust is simply kicked up with daily activity.

The bags used in many vintage dirty fan cleaners dont have many layers of filtration, nor subsequent filters after like clean fan cleaners yet I see no proof of having to dust so much,

Reasoning? there is less dust in my carpets to re circulate as they have done a better job of cleaning.

Now if James Dyson or Miele made cleaners with a good brushroll like say on the Hoover Turbopowers and clearer airflow paths to get the dust into the machine from the carpet then the filters we are so sold upon may have a chance of being of use.

As it stands filters cleaning the air coming out of the cleaner are of no use unless the air in the room is clearer to start with.