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.
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.
- Applying a warm compress to the troubled ear may help to lessen swelling and encourage fluid outflow. - To get the fluid to move and drain out, tilt the head to the affected side and lightly tap the back of the ear.
If the Eustachian tubes are blocked, fluid in the ear cannot drain normally. If bacteria grow in the middle ear fluid, an effusion can turn into a middle ear infection (acute otitis media). This will usually increase pressure behind the eardrum and cause a lot of pain. The eardrum will become red and bulging.
In most cases, the fluid clears up within a few months without treatment. You may need more tests if the fluid does not clear up after 3 months. For adults, decongestants that you take by mouth or spray into your nose may be helpful.
How long does it take for fluid in the ear to go away in adults? It can take up to three months for fluid in your ear to clear up on its own. 7 If you continue to have problems, your provider may prescribe antibiotics and look for an underlying problem that could need specific treatment.
Because some antihistamines have a drying effect that helps drain the eustachian tubes, they can reduce the buildup of fluids in the middle ear. They can also help dry out your sinuses, relieving ear pressure from allergies, and reducing tinnitus symptoms.
Close your mouth, hold your nose, and gently blow as if you are blowing your nose. Yawning and chewing gum also may help. You may hear or feel a "pop" when the tubes open to make the pressure equal between the inside and outside of your ears.
Ears and Nose
Believe it or not, by the nasal passage does connect to our ears. The ears, at roughly the same level on our heads as the nose, are also connected by the Eustachian tube, which drains from the ears into the nasopharynx.
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. It should be correctly diagnosed and treated swiftly.
Another way to do it is to get you to “pop” your ears on a more regular basis, about 20 times per day, often by closing your nostrils with your hand and blowing gently against that pressure. The pressure should help force the Eustachian tube to open a bit, draining pressure and any fluid that's in that space.
Another way is to elevate your head using several pillows, which may help drain the eustachian tubes. To raise the head of the bed, place five or six inch wood blocks under the bed legs at the head of the bed, or purchase a wedge pillow, which can be placed between your box springs and mattress.
In my experience, the most common cause is chronic nasal congestion, either from allergies or environmental irritants. Infection of the adenoids or the sinus or nose also are likely causes; to determine this, an ear, nose and throat doctor would visualize the adenoids to assess their condition.
The following medication can be prescribed to help relieve the symptoms of an inner ear infection: Antihistamines - desloratadine (Clarinex), or over-the-counter options such as loratadine (Claritin), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or fexofenadine (Allegra).
Diuretics work by restricting the overproduction of fluid in the inner ear. Diuretics are long-term medications. They help reduce the number of vertigo attacks, and in some cases, they help stabilize hearing. Commonly used diuretics are Diamox (acetazolamide) and Dyazide (triamterene/HCTZ).
Ménière disease is a disorder caused by fluid buildup in the chambers in the inner ear. It may be caused by several things, including allergies, abnormal immune system response, head injury, migraine headaches, or a viral infection.
Fluticasone nasal spray is available over the counter and is a nasal steroid spray. It is frequently recommended or prescribed for chronic eustachian tube dysfunction.
If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut.
Diagnosing Obstructive Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Over time, negative pressure can build up in the ear, causing pain, ear fullness and muffled hearing. When this occurs, sometimes your doctor can see the ear drum (tympanic membrane) change shape due to this pressure and become concave.