Is fluid behind the eardrum long term?

Chronic ear infection is fluid, swelling, or an infection behind the eardrum that does not go away or keeps coming back. It causes long-term or permanent damage to the ear. It often involves a hole in the eardrum that does not heal.

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How long does fluid behind eardrum last?

Most middle ear infections (otitis media) clear up within three to five days and don't need any specific treatment.

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Why won't the fluid behind my eardrum go away?

Colds, allergies, infected adenoids, or sinusitis, can cause congestion of the nose and eustachian tube. This congestion causes the tube to be blocked. With the tube blocked the fluid in the middle ear cannot drain.

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Is fluid behind eardrum serious?

OME most often goes away on its own over a few weeks or months. Treatment may speed up this process. Glue ear may not clear up as quickly as OME with a thinner fluid. OME is most often not life threatening.

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Will fluid behind eardrum go away on its own?

The middle ear is the space behind the eardrum. Otitis media with effusion means there is fluid (effusion) in the middle ear, without an infection. Fluid in the middle ear can have few symptoms, especially if it develops slowly. It almost always goes away on its own in a few weeks to a few months.

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Why Does Fluid Build Up Behind The Eardrum? (Otitis Media With Effusion)

39 related questions found

Can fluid in the ear be permanent?

Chronic ear infection is fluid, swelling, or an infection behind the eardrum that does not go away or keeps coming back. It causes long-term or permanent damage to the ear.

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How can I dry up fluid behind my eardrum?

Such home remedies include applying a warm compress, inhaling steam, popping your ears, and a technique known as the Valsalva maneuver. Over-the-counter medicines may also help.

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Can you have fluid behind your eardrum but no infection?

This is called otitis media with effusion (OME) or serous otitis media. It means there is fluid in the middle ear. It is not the same as acute otitis media, which is often from an infection. OME can happen when you have a cold if congestion blocks the passage that drains the middle ear.

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What are the side effects of fluid behind the eardrum?

Symptoms most seen in adults include drainage, ear pain, recent decrease in hearing, ear fullness sensations, recent dizziness or balance difficulty, fever (if there is an infection), and even pain, especially in children.

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What causes fluid behind the eardrum in adults?

A middle ear infection (also called otitis media) is an infection behind your eardrum. It can happen after any condition that traps fluid in the middle ear, such as a cold, allergies, sore throat, or respiratory infection.

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Can a doctor see fluid behind eardrum?

An instrument called a pneumatic otoscope is often the only specialized tool a doctor needs to diagnose an ear infection. This instrument enables the doctor to look in the ear and judge whether there is fluid behind the eardrum. With the pneumatic otoscope, the doctor gently puffs air against the eardrum.

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Do you need antibiotics for fluid behind eardrum?

Antibiotics are sometimes not needed for middle ear infections. However, severe middle ear infections or infections that last longer than 2–3 days need antibiotics right away. For mild middle ear infection, your doctor might recommend watchful waiting or delayed antibiotic prescribing.

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Can fluid in ear go to brain?

Summary: While antibiotics have greatly reduced the dangers of ear infections, serious neurological complications, including hearing loss, facial paralysis, meningitis and brain abscess still occur.

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How serious is fluid in the ear?

Fluid from the ear may be caused by middle or outer ear infections, damage to the ear drum, a foreign body in the ear or a more serious infection or injury. See your doctor if you notice any fluid leaking from your ear, especially if you have a fever, hearing loss or dizziness or if your ear is red and swollen.

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Can you go deaf from fluid in the ear?

When fluid sits in the middle ear for weeks, the condition is known as "otitis media with effusion." This occurs in a recovering ear infection. Fluid can remain in the ear for weeks to many months. If not treated, chronic ear infections have potentially serious consequences such as temporary hearing loss.

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How common is fluid in the ear?

Approximately 90% of children have ear fluid before they reach school age; however, it often goes undetected. After an ear infection has cleared, many kids will have fluid that can remain for weeks at a time and can sometimes become re-infected.

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What medicine dries up fluid in ears?

Pseudoephedrine is used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, and hay fever and other respiratory allergies. It is also used to relieve ear congestion caused by ear inflammation or infection.

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How do you drain inner ear fluid naturally?

Popping your ears can help open the eustachian tube, allowing fluid to drain. The simplest way to pop your ears is to yawn, chew, or swallow. You may also want to try popping your ears using something called the Valsalva maneuver: Take a deep breath and hold it.

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Can fluid in inner ear be cured?

Many times, fluid in the ear gradually goes away on its own. If you have an infection, you may need antibiotics. If the fluid buildup in your does not get better or gets worse, you might need surgery to help drain it.

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What is the fastest way to get fluid out of your ear?

These five tips will help get rid of water in your ears:
  1. Let time and gravity do the trick. ...
  2. Try rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. ...
  3. Use a hairdryer. ...
  4. Chew, yawn, shake and tug. ...
  5. Avoid using your finger, cotton swab or other objects.

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Can fluid in the ear cause dizziness?

Middle ear effusions — Otherwise known as serous otitis media, fluid in the middle ear can cause imbalance and spinning vertigo. Middle ear infections — Infections of the middle ear (otitis media) can cause imbalance and spinning dizziness.

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Will antihistamine dry up fluid in ears?

Theoretically, antihistamines may reduce the congestion of mucous membranes and decrease obstruction of tubes lined by mucous membrane, such as the Eustachian tube. An open Eustachian tube would allow the middle ear pressure to equalize to ambient air pressure. It may also allow drainage of fluid from the middle ear.

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What is the main cause of fluid in ears?

What causes fluid in the ear? Fluid in the ear is almost always the consequence of an ear infection. Ear infections can be either viral, bacterial, or a combination of both. Although anyone can be affected by this condition, fluid in the ear is more common among children because of the anatomy of their auditory tubes.

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