From which it can lay ears for a long time. Ear blocked. Causes of ear congestion. What to do with ear congestion? Stuffy ear after sleep - what to do


Ear congestion is a problem that many people face. Such a situation can arise in various conditions: during takeoff or landing of an aircraft, when descending into the subway, when taking an elevator to a high floor. As a rule, absolutely no painful sensations arise in this case, however, there is little pleasure in the fact that it constantly lays the ears. There are also cases when the ears are blocked, regardless of external factors, while a person may experience pain. This indicates the development of diseases of the hearing aid.

Whatever the cause in the end, this problem is not only possible, but must be fought. However, it is important to understand when this symptom is really alarming and requires immediate action on the part of the patient, and when this symptom should not be taken as an inexorably approaching catastrophe.

The reasons

You can effectively deal with the problem of stuffy ears only by finding out the reason why this process occurs. There are a large number of reasons, starting in this way by manifesting diseases of the hearing aid and ending with the influence of the external environment.

Video consultation of the ENT about the causes of stuffy ears - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdk7hCzIzsg

Physiological causes

Man is influenced by natural factors. One way or another, they can even affect the hearing organs, which leads to an unpleasant feeling of congestion.

1. Atmospheric pressure drops. Quite often, many are faced with stuffy ears after the plane. This is due to sharpness at high altitude. It can also occur at great depths, such as when diving. On the physiological side, the problem is explained by the fact that the ear cannot quickly rebuild itself. The eardrum begins to put pressure on the Eustachian tube, which is responsible for normal pressure in the auricle. After a while, congestion and discomfort disappear, but quite often they are accompanied by pain.

2. Water in the ear. During the summer holidays and the swimming season, many are faced with the fact that a large amount of water gets into the ears. Also, this problem can occur after bathing in the shower, when a jet of water can penetrate the ear due to the high pressure. Nothing wrong with that. It is enough to shake the water out of the ears to get rid of this unpleasant sensation.

3. Sulfur plugs. Wax is a secretion that forms in the hearing aid to keep it free from dust and dirt. Sulfur also removes dead skin cells. When the body cannot control the release of this secret, it forms a dense substance that blocks the hearing aid and ear passages. Because of this, the person feels congested.

4. Foreign object. This problem mostly affects young children. In the process of playing with small objects, they like not only to taste them, but also to put them in their nostrils and ears. Groats, plasticine, small parts block the auditory canal, which leads to a feeling of congestion. In the event of such a situation, it is urgent to remove a foreign object.

Pathological causes

Sometimes ear congestion can cause diseases of the hearing organs. In order to identify them, it is necessary contact LOR. Self-treatment or ignoring the problem can lead to serious consequences.

1. Otitis. This disease is characterized by the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the ear and the formation of swelling. Otitis is most susceptible to young children, as the cause of its occurrence is a violation in the microflora. Also, the cause may be hypothermia or an abnormal structure of the nasal septum. Once inside the ear, bacteria create a comfortable environment for themselves. Organ cells secrete an inflammatory fluid that accumulates. Depending on what kind of immunity a person has and the nature of the bacteria, otitis can be:

    chronic;

  • catarrhal;

The disease is accompanied by fever, headaches. The ear not only lays down, but sharp pains also arise in it. Quite often, pus comes out of the diseased ear, which is a positive moment in the treatment. If the eardrum does not break, then the pus continues to accumulate and can penetrate the brain. It is worth noting that otitis media does not always signal itself with the above symptoms. Sometimes it can be manifested by a violation of the gastrointestinal tract.

2. Eustachitis. With a cold, a disease such as eustachitis, an inflammation of the auditory tube, can begin to develop. It can also occur with sore throat, influenza, measles, scarlet fever, sinusitis and other diseases originating in the nasopharynx and lungs, as well as with a deviated nasal septum. In addition to congestion in the ears, the patient may hear ringing, have headaches, and feel the presence of fluid in the hearing aid. Sometimes hearing can improve during swallowing movements, when the auditory tube expands. Deterioration, in turn, can occur during jumps in atmospheric pressure, for example, landing an aircraft or directly on board in an aircraft. Then the patient begins to suffer from severe pain. If an increase in temperature is observed during Eustachitis, then this signals the occurrence of purulent otitis media.

3. hearing loss. When the human ear does not perceive sound vibrations, then such a serious disease as neurosensory hearing loss occurs. Problems in some parts of the brain are the reason why the sound does not reach its final destination. Today, hearing loss is virtually untreatable. Its main reasons are:

    alcoholism;

    oncology of the inner ear;

    mechanical damage to the ear apparatus;

    transmission of infectious diseases during pregnancy;

    inflammatory diseases;

    poisoning with toxins.

The main sign of the presence of the disease is prolonged ear congestion, against which hearing loss occurs. At the same time, there is a deterioration in physical condition. Since the vestibular apparatus is located next to the cochlea, another symptom is a shaky, uncertain gait of a person.

4. Meniere's syndrome. With this disease, a large amount of fluid accumulates in the inner ear, which presses on the organs of the hearing aid. The patient feels congestion in the ears, his coordination is disturbed. Quite often, the disease is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, as well as increased sweating. Infections, head and ear injuries, and inflammatory processes inside the ear lead to the appearance of Meniere's syndrome.

5. Neurinoma. This is a benign tumor that can be localized on any human nerves. However, it most often forms on the auditory nerve. The tumor is a small, uneven growth. It leads to a gradual decrease in hearing, so it needs to be urgently removed surgically. The tumor presses on the nerve, so the patient feels congestion in the ears and ringing.

6. Cold. Ears quite often lay with a cold. The main reason is a runny nose. The fact is that the respiratory and hearing organs are in close proximity. That is why, with a runny nose, the resulting inflammation of the nasal mucosa quickly passes to the Eustachian tube. Many people think that a runny nose can be ignored. However, it can cause hearing loss in the event of inflammatory processes.

7. Heart diseases. Some heart problems present with extensive symptoms. Ear congestion is a common symptom. In this case, local therapy will not help. The underlying heart disease needs to be treated.

8. Pregnancy. Expectant mothers often suffer from ear congestion when they are carrying a baby. The fact is that their blood pressure drops, which leads to discomfort.

Diagnostics

If your ears are constantly blocked, then you should analyze in what environment the problem occurs, what precedes it, whether there are other accompanying unpleasant sensations. Alarming bells and a reason to see a doctor are the following factors:

    stuffy ears last for a long time;

    there is noise in the ears;

    pain occurs;

    along with this, the person feels dizzy and nauseous.

Diagnosis of the disease by a specialist takes place in several subsequent stages. The initial examination of the ENT is carried out using special tools. This stage allows you to determine the condition of the outer part of the hearing aid, as well as immediately identify the presence of foreign objects in it or pathological changes.

If necessary, the doctor may perform procedures such as audiometry or magnetic resonance imaging.

The first implies a hearing test for acuity and other indicators that have a direct impact on the auditory analyzer. The second, in turn, makes it possible to see a tumor on the auditory nerve. Often, a biopsy is performed during the diagnosis - the doctor takes samples of cartilage tissue from the patient for analysis. In order to exclude other diseases, the doctor may refer the patient for examination to other narrow specialists.

The above diagnostic methods will help to identify the lesion and understand which part of the ear affects the congestion in it. A comprehensive examination by a specialist will allow you to successfully fight the disease and avoid extremely undesirable and serious consequences, and your personal conviction in the presence of sulfur plug should not become an obstacle to qualified help.

What to do?

Treatment of congestion in the ears is assigned to each patient individually, based on the results of the diagnosis and the identified cause of its occurrence. It is strictly not recommended to purchase any medications without a doctor's recommendation. At best, they may not be effective, and at worst, they can cause complications. In addition, it is very important to correctly calculate the dosage and timing of use.

The presence of such a disease as otitis requires the use of ear and nasal drops, taking antibiotics and painkillers. But in the case of a rupture of the eardrum, treatment with antibiotics or other medications is prescribed only if the gap is large enough. With minor damage, such measures are not necessary.

If a patient has Meniere's syndrome, then treatment occurs in several directions at once. First of all, the patient is assigned a diet aimed at reducing salt intake. Strict adherence to all prescriptions will reduce the time between attacks and their frequency. A number of medications are also prescribed that fight nausea, vomiting, irritability and dizziness. In some advanced cases, surgical intervention is indispensable.

Quite often, the cause of ear congestion is a neuroma. Treatment methods for this benign tumor directly depend on its size and growth rate. So, with a small size, the so-called waiting tactics are carried out: the patient does not take drugs and undergoes procedures, but is regularly examined by a specialist. If the tumor grows, then radiation therapy or surgery is prescribed.

In addition, in order to speed up the process of recovery from ear diseases, the doctor can perform the following procedures:

    removal of contaminants from the auricle, for example sulfur, pus, water;

    drainage of fluid from the middle ear;

    treatment of the hearing aid with antibacterial agents;

    pneumomassage;

    electrophoresis.

Each of the procedures is carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor, since the spread of infection can have a negative effect on the brain or completely deprive of hearing.

Traditional medicine recipes

Contacting a specialist is mandatory for those people who experience pain with stuffy ears and other unpleasant accompanying symptoms. In all other cases, the problem can be dealt with on your own at home. But it is worth noting that if folk remedies do not have the desired effect, then it is also worth seeking help from a doctor.

One of the most effective and effective means against sulfur plug is a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide is instilled into the ear with a medical syringe without a needle, and after five minutes the ear canal is washed with warm water. It is important to ensure that water flows out of the ear back. Another remedy is prepared on the basis of mummy. So, the powder is dissolved in warm water, a tablespoon of alcohol and sodium sulfate are added there. If necessary, this procedure can be repeated several times. To dissolve earwax, you can also use special solutions that are sold in pharmacies.

Ear congestion can be removed with compresses. For example, a cotton swab can be soaked in oil or geranium juice and then placed in a hearing aid for several hours. It is best to do this procedure at night.

Drinking decoctions from herbal ingredients are also considered quite effective. However, they are usually consumed if the ear is stuffy with a cold. It will not be difficult to prepare a healing decoction at home: a herbal collection of chamomile, St. John's wort and birch buds must be poured with boiling water and insisted for fifteen minutes. Next, the resulting broth should be filtered through a sieve or gauze to get rid of already unnecessary grass. In conclusion, two teaspoons of honey should be added to it. Received it is recommended to drink just before going to bed.

If the congestion of the ear arose as a result of a foreign object getting into it, then you can remove it outside with the help of ordinary vegetable oil, which, for sure, is found in everyone in the house. Before the procedure, the oil should be slightly warmed up and only then poured into the ear canal. It is important that the patient during the procedure was in a horizontal position to the top with a blocked ear. Next, rinse the ear with a warm stream of warm water until the foreign object comes out.

With ear inflammation from congestion can help the following folk recipes:

    aniseed must be crushed to a powder and mixed with rosehip oil. The mixture should be infused for three weeks, periodically it must be stirred. After that, the tool will be ready for use. It must be instilled into the ear three drops once a day;

    15 grams of propolis must be poured with 96% alcohol and the resulting mixture should be left for ten days in a dark, dry place. Then, in the resulting tincture, it is necessary to moisten a cotton swab and insert it into the ear canal overnight for twenty days;

    a tandem of honey and horseradish will also eliminate ear congestion. The juice of the latter is instilled into the ear canal four drops, and then a cotton swab lubricated with liquid honey is inserted there. For greater effect, the swab can be wrapped in fresh or steamed horseradish leaves.

How to quickly get rid of stuffy ears?

If such a problem is not caused by a pathological disease, then you can get rid of it quickly. There are several effective methods:

  1. Rinse your nose with a Neti pot. With a runny nose, a feeling that sulfur plugs in the ears occurs in many. Sometimes even sinus disease can masquerade as a hearing aid problem. A procedure such as using a Neti pot will help clear mucus from the nose, thereby improving hearing.
  2. Start yawning or swallowing. With such movements, all unnecessary air will come out of the ear. You can also make chewing movements with the jaw. In this case, regular chewing gum will help well.
  3. Create a vacuum in your ear. To do this, place your index finger in your ear and, pointing it up, press a little. Next, you should make rotational movements. After a while, a feeling of vacuum will be created inside, which will allow excess liquid to come out.
  4. Jump. After swimming in the sea or in the river, you can see how on the shore some people methodically jump on one leg, bowing their heads to one side. This is another effective way to remove moisture trapped inside. You need to perform jumps slowly and evenly, otherwise you can fall and get injured. In addition, sudden movements will not give any result.
  5. Use the Vasalva method. It lies in the fact that, holding your nose with two fingers, you make a sharp exit. If everything was done correctly, then a characteristic cotton will be heard inside, and congestion will pass in an instant.
  6. Make a steam bath. If the cause is a runny nose, then hot steam will help reduce the amount of mucus. In order to make a steam bath, you need to heat the water. For better effect, you can add herbs to it. Next, cover your head with a towel and breathe hot air for several minutes.
  7. Do a nose massage. To do this, place two index fingers on the wings of the nose from different sides and with light movements move up and down the nose. After a few minutes, the congestion should go away, as the mucus in the nose will liquefy.

Take care of your health carefully, then you will be able to avoid many problems. Ear blockage can occur for a variety of reasons. Each of them requires a special approach. Harmless physiological causes can be quickly eliminated with simple exercises or folk remedies. If the congestion of the ear does not go away for a long time and is accompanied by hearing loss, then you should consult a doctor. So, it can be a sign of the presence of a disease of the ear apparatus. If you put the problem aside, you can partially or completely lose your hearing.

The main causes of stuffy ears lie in the differences in internal and external pressure on the eardrum. Excessive pressure of air on the membrane leads to its stretching, as a result of which the sound signal passing through the outer ear is not amplified. As a result, the sound is attenuated, which leads to a feeling of fullness in the ears.

The absence of discomfort in the eardrum is possible only with the absolute equality of internal and external pressure. Changes in the state of the membrane may be due to physiological and pathological factors that contribute to the formation of a vacuum in the tympanic cavity. This inevitably leads to the occurrence of a pressure difference, which is signaled by the laying of the ears.

Etiology

The tympanic membrane is a thin, airtight membrane that separates the middle ear cavity from the external auditory canal. It is one of the key components of the sound-conducting department of the auditory analyzer. The membrane is innervated by nerve branches from the large tympanic nerve, which communicates with the glossopharyngeal branch.

When excessive pressure is applied to the eardrum, there is a risk of formation of perforations in it, leading to a sharp hearing loss.

The eardrum plays an important role in transmitting sound waves to the structures of the inner ear, where they are converted into electrical impulses that reach the brain. When stretched, the elasticity of the membrane naturally decreases, therefore, during the passage of a sound signal, it practically does not experience vibrations. For this reason, there is no sound amplification, which is indicated by stuffy ears.

Physiological causes

Why pawn ears? The occurrence of a symptom is not always due to systemic disorders or pathologies in the organ of hearing. Most often, the stretching of the ear membrane is due to the influence of physiological factors, which include:

  • great physical activity;
  • quick rise in the elevator;
  • regular flights;
  • trains on fast trains;
  • diving under water;
  • rapid ascent to the mountains.

The above causes of stuffy ears are due to the destabilization of pressure on the ear membrane. A sharp increase in external pressure leads to the indentation of the membrane into the ear, which contributes to the appearance of uncomfortable or painful sensations. To eliminate the symptom, experts recommend making several swallowing movements that help open the mouth of the Eustachian tube, through which the middle ear is ventilated.

Among the common causes of ear blockage is the formation of sulfuric plugs. If they completely block the ear canal, this leads to hearing loss and discomfort. If a sulfur plug is found, you should seek help from an otolaryngologist who, using a special hook-shaped tweezers, will remove it from the auditory canal.

Pathological causes

Why is the ear stuck? Experts warn that the sudden onset of a symptom may be associated with disturbances in the auditory analyzer or internal organs and systems. Feeling stuffy can be a sign of the development of the following diseases:

  • eustachitis;
  • otitis media;
  • allergic rhinitis;
  • cholesteatoma;
  • exostoses of the auditory canal;
  • otomycosis;
  • sinusitis;
  • inflammation of the auditory nerve;
  • trauma;
  • otosclerosis;
  • hypertension.

In most cases, the causes of ear congestion without pain lie in the use of an excessive amount of medications that have an ototoxic effect. Severe intoxication of the body leads to to an increase in cellular turgor, which is due to a violation of the processes of removing excess amounts of intercellular fluid from tissues. Thus, swelling of the mucous membranes occurs, which leads to blockage of the auditory tube and, accordingly, a violation of the ventilation of the middle ear.

To understand the main causes of discomfort in the organ of hearing, it is worth considering the most common causes of the development of ear pathologies. Timely elimination of diseases contributes to the relief of unpleasant symptoms, which include stuffy ears.

allergic rhinitis

Why is one ear blocked? A common cause of congestion is swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, provoked by rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, resulting from the penetration of allergens into the body. Provocateurs of the inflammatory process can be:

  • animal hair;
  • medications;
  • Food;
  • volatile chemicals;
  • plant pollen.

Important! Untimely treatment of rhinitis can lead to the development of exudative otitis media, characterized by the accumulation of transudate in the ear and a sharp deterioration in hearing.

As a result of strong irritation of the ciliated epithelium in the nasopharynx, vasomotor processes occur, which lead to a change in vascular tone and an increase in their permeability. For this reason, the nasopharyngeal mucosa swells, which leads to blocking of the mouth of the Eustachian tube. As a result, the ventilation of the ear cavity is disturbed, which leads to the formation of a vacuum in it. Thus, high atmospheric pressure causes the eardrum to retract into the ear, resulting in congestion.

Eustachitis

Why is the ear blocked? What to do when stuffed up? According to statistics, very often discomfort occurs due to the development of eustachitis. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane in the auditory canal, the diameter of which does not exceed 2-2.5 mm. Catarrhal processes in the tissues lead to swelling and a decrease in the lumen in the auditory canal, as a result of which a negative pressure is formed in the middle ear.

In most cases, eustachitis occurs as a result of infection of the upper respiratory tract with pathogens. The danger of ENT disease lies in the high risk of pathogens entering the auditory analyzer through the tubal route. This can lead to the development of acute otitis and the occurrence of severe complications leading to persistent hearing loss, mastoiditis, meningitis, etc.

Injuries

Ear injuries are one of the possible causes of stuffy ears and deformity of the eardrum. Disturbed functioning of the main parts of the auditory analyzer leads to the development of pathological processes characterized by hearing loss, the appearance of a sensation of fluid transfusion in the ear cavity, etc. Why is the right ear blocked?

Causes of discomfort in the ears can be:

  1. acoustic trauma - destruction of the tissues of the organ of hearing, due to prolonged exposure to super-strong sounds;
  2. barotrauma - pathologies in the middle ear and membrane resulting from a sharp change in external pressure;
  3. vibrotrauma - damage to the structures of the inner ear associated with prolonged exposure to strong vibrations;
  4. mechanical injuries - physical damage to the soft and bone structures of the organ of hearing, leading to impaired conduction of sound signals by the eardrum and auditory ossicles.

Ear congestion without pain

In most cases, the occurrence of an unpleasant symptom without pain is due to the absence of inflammatory processes in the tissues. Why lays ears just like that? Discomfort can occur with the development of such pathologies:

Important! Sensorineural hearing loss is treated only at the acute stage of development, which lasts no more than 1 month.

It should be noted that ignoring the problem is often the cause of the progression of pathologies. If the congestion does not go away within a few days, you should seek help from a specialist. Timely examination and elimination of the causes leads to the restoration of normal hearing and the disappearance of uncomfortable sensations.

Congestion when swallowing

If, when swallowing, it lays the ears, this indicates the presence of inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx. In the absence of pathologies during swallowing, there is a contraction of the muscles responsible for opening the mouth of the Eustachian tube. Thus, air enters the middle ear cavity, which leads to equalization of internal and external pressure on the eardrum.

Why does my left ear stuff up while swallowing? The occurrence of discomfort is associated with edema of the ciliated epithelium, as a result of which, during swallowing, the mouth of the auditory tube does not open, respectively, the ventilation of the tympanic cavity is disturbed. Pathological processes are most often observed with:

  • sinusitis;
  • adenoids;
  • pharyngitis;
  • tonsillitis.

You can eliminate the symptom with the help of vasoconstrictor drops, which help reduce tissue swelling. To restore the drainage and ventilation function of the auditory tube, nasal drops such as Nasonex, Galazolin, Nazivin, Avamys, Nasobek, etc. can be instilled twice a day.

Against the background of various diseases and under the influence of external influences, a condition may occur that manifests itself in blocking the ear canal - ear congestion.

When the ear is stuffed up, a person experiences not only discomfort. In severe cases, this condition is accompanied by pain.

Often, such a problem can be a consequence of the anatomical features of the structure of the auditory organ, disruption of the blood vessels. But the main cause of this condition in medical practice is the influence of external factors that contribute to the disruption of the work of various organs and functions of the human body.

Laying ears: reasons

What causes ear congestion? There is a category of people who, very often, when raising to a great height or descending under water, lay their ears. The reasons for this lie in the individual sensitivity of the human body. The hearing aid of some people does not have time to adapt to fluctuations in external pressure. As a result, the eardrum is pressed into the Eustachian tube, which causes ear congestion.

The most common reasons for stuffy ears are:

  1. Inflammation of the ear during colds caused by sinusitis, the formation of polyps in the nasal passages, adenoids, or a deviated septum.
  2. Damage to the auditory nerve causing hearing loss.
  3. Diseases of the heart and brain.
  4. Traumatic brain injury.
  5. A foreign body that has fallen into the outer sector of the hearing aid.
  6. If the ear is blocked with water.
  7. The formation of adhesions on the eardrum, the cause of which is otitis media transferred in childhood.
  8. Sulfur plug in the ear.

One of the most dangerous causes is considered to be ear infections that enter the ear with water, while the pressure in the ears rises, blocking the ear canal. If not treated in time, this can lead to deafness and infection of the brain area.

Not knowing the causes of congestion in the ear, many people begin to engage in self-treatment, which in most cases leads to serious consequences. It should be remembered: only a specialist otolaryngologist can identify and eliminate the true cause of the disease.

There are cases when the ear is stuffed up after the plane. People who often encounter such a problem can get rid of it by sucking on lozenges or by swallowing while inhaling - this helps. A similar condition causes some people and riding in an elevator. The most effective way to get rid of ear congestion is to blow out. You should pinch your nose with your fingers, close your mouth and try to forcefully exhale air through your nose.

Cases in which the ear was blocked after being in the subway, on noisy highways, during fireworks and loud shouting nearby are not isolated. They are related to the pressure mismatch between the inner ear and the external pressure in the environment. People with a similar reaction of the body should avoid very noisy places.

Stuffed ear what to do during a cold

When the ear is stuffed up with a cold and the patient is one hundred percent sure that this is the main reason for this condition, it is necessary to adhere to the strictly established recommendations of a specialist doctor. If ear congestion is caused by classical inflammation, it is treated with conventional heating with alcohol compresses.

In the case when the cause is the initial stage of otitis media and a condition is observed in which the ears and nose are blocked, it is absolutely impossible to apply heating. This can cause a breakthrough of the abscess and lead to dire consequences up to hearing loss and disability.

A much more serious condition is when the ear is blocked and it hurts in the cheek and temple on the left or right side. This is a pronounced symptom of inflammation of the facial nerve, which is accompanied by ear congestion, runny nose and fever. In this condition, timely and adequate therapy is necessary. Otherwise, the process of treatment and rehabilitation can stretch for a long period of time.

It is mandatory to undergo a full course of treatment for a cold. The cause of ear congestion may be an untreated runny nose, as a result of which mucus accumulates in the nasal canal and passes into the ear. Flushing your nasal passages with saline will help clear them and keep the mucus from spreading further. As soon as the ear is blocked with a runny nose, it is advisable to use vasodilators - three times 2-3 drops for three days. It is good in this case to do special exercises: pinch your nose, exhale, relax. Repeat 5-10 times a day.

Why does ear plugging occur during pregnancy?

In women who are expecting the birth of a child, laying of one or both ears is observed throughout the entire period of pregnancy. It lays ears during pregnancy due to pressure surges that many expectant mothers suffer from. In women, whose condition depends on meteorological conditions, intracranial blood flow is disturbed and, as a result, ear blockage occurs. Most often, this condition is observed in the hot season and when climbing the elevator.

There are cases when ear plugging occurs due to colds, which are accompanied by complications such as sinusitis or otitis media, closely related to the auditory canals. If you lay your ears and feel dizzy for a long period of time, you should consult a neurologist. The reason for this may be hidden in the pathology of the vessels of the brain, which provides for a serious examination and further treatment.

The condition of a pregnant woman does not allow for such therapeutic measures as warming up, the use of vasodilators, so if the ear is blocked and does not go away, you should try to carry out some simple manipulations:

  • yawn several times;
  • closing your nose and mouth, hold your breath;
  • Drink a glass of water in short sips.

Sometimes during pregnancy, such discomfort can be caused by rapid weight gain, which is not uncommon in women in this condition. To normalize their well-being, pregnant women should see a doctor. If the cause of the problem is an imbalance in the circulatory system, it is necessary to begin therapeutic measures to normalize the level of hemoglobin in the blood and blood pressure. It is recommended to rest more, spend more time outdoors, control your psycho-emotional state.

The condition of a pregnant woman worsens rapid breathing during fast walking, physical activity and vigorous activity. There are cases when, for no apparent reason, the ear is blocked. What to do in this situation will be prompted by further well-being - sometimes it is a temporary phenomenon and passes very quickly. In a situation where stuffy ears are accompanied by a headache and other malfunctions in the body, a medical consultation is necessary.

How to deal with stuffy ears

There is a situation when the head hurts, the ears are blocked, and the person who is alone with the problem is lost, does not know what to do. It is not always necessary to contact a specialist for problems with blockage of the ear canal. In some cases, you can eliminate such an inconvenience on your own, knowing exactly what caused the stuffy ear.

What to do at home if the cause is sulfur plug? It is necessary to drip a few drops of a solution of boric acid or hydrogen peroxide into the auditory canal. After a few minutes, carefully remove the cork with an ear stick using rotational movements.

A sharp change in atmospheric pressure causes stuffy ears, which in a mild form resolves quickly and painlessly. If your ear is stuffed up while taking off on an airplane, diving under water, riding attractions, you need to take a few sips or yawn. In this situation, the Eustachian tube opens, and the pressure in the eardrum and from the outside equalizes.

As soon as with respiratory diseases, the condition when the ear is blocked is included in the main symptomatology, only a doctor can competently answer what to do at home. Self-medication in this case is strictly contraindicated. Before visiting an ENT doctor, you need to follow the instructions for the treatment of the underlying disease, use local drugs to relieve the painful process of the upper respiratory tract.

It is definitely recommended to see a specialist in a situation if the head and ears are stuffed up. With migraine, it lays the ear from the side where the pain center is observed. As soon as the headache is eliminated, all accompanying manifestations disappear with it.

It is not uncommon for ear congestion to occur as a result of fluid entering the ear canal during water procedures or diving under water. Many patients fall into a panic state when they cannot pour water out of the ear when they tilt their heads, believing that it has made its way deep inside.

These fears are sometimes not unfounded. If, after removing the water, ear congestion and hearing loss are disturbing, some complications are possible. This can cause an ear plug that only a doctor can handle. Inflammation of the external auditory canal may occur, which is treated with medication. Very often, the inflammatory process is accompanied by itching, pain and discharge. If water enters the Eustachian tube and reaches the middle ear, pain similar to a backache appears.

You can get rid of water that has entered the ear canal by jumping on one leg with your head bowed in the area of ​​​​the blocked ear and applying force to your ear with your palm, creating a vacuum. You can try to lie on one side, while the ear with water should be down. Make a few swallowing movements and try to move your ears. These manipulations help to quickly pour water out of the ear canal. No less effective is the method in which a twisted cotton tourniquet is inserted into the ear. In this simple way, you can absorb all the water that has entered the ear canal.

Ears are one of the main organs of the human body, helping to keep in touch with the outside world. Good hearing is the key to productive and high-quality communication and development. If the auditory function is disturbed, a person feels inferior and loses meaning in life.

Despite the seeming, at first glance, the harmlessness of the problem of congestion in the ears and easy ways to eliminate it, the wrong approach to solving it can lead to the most serious and deplorable consequences.

Do not neglect the help of qualified specialists, saving on treatment. A little time spent on a visit to the doctor will help prevent the most irreparable mistake, the price of which is your own health.

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To determine the source of the problem, you must first show the diseased ear to the doctor. The specialist will make a diagnosis and tell you what to do to alleviate the condition and prevent negative consequences.

Causes of the symptom

The feeling that you constantly, regardless of the circumstances, stuffed up ears not only delivers physical discomfort, but also causes moral stress. Most often, hearing deteriorates in parallel and there is a feeling of pressure. You start to worry about your health.

In fact, the reason why a person often gets stuffy ears is not always a threat to health. First of all, analyze the situations when the symptom occurs. Perhaps this is due to visiting the subway, high-speed elevators, or the specifics of the profession. The pressure drop in the external environment and the coordination of these changes in the ear cavity are not always synchronous, and therefore there is temporary discomfort.

Also, the ears are laid when a large amount of sulfur is released. It is important to clean the ear from pollution in a timely manner. If you do the procedure incorrectly, you risk creating a sulfur plug.

There are several more reasons why there is a feeling of congestion:

  • problems with blood pressure;
  • chronic otitis or epitympanitis;
  • traumatic brain injury;
  • anatomical anomalies;
  • adenoids;
  • stress;
  • pathology of the vascular system;
  • neoplasms in the ear canal.

A neoplasm does not necessarily mean a cancerous tumor. These can be polyps, atheroma, fibroma, keloid scars, etc.

To find out the exact reason why your ear is blocked, you need to undergo a series of examinations. If it's a matter of lifestyle or a temporary intense load on the body, it will be easy to fix the problem. But when identifying any disease, you need to know what to do in this particular case.

Signs of serious deviations

Based on only one symptom, it is impossible to determine the reason why you have stuffy ears. Other signs are taken into account, the patient's lifestyle, the specifics of professional activity, the presence of chronic diseases and congenital pathologies, etc. are carefully analyzed. The ear may suffer from previous injuries and diseases.

The reason that your ears are often blocked may lie in the violation of the sound transmission chain, the development of a chronic inflammatory process, problems of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. To better understand why this happens, you need to see a doctor. Assumptions about a possible diagnosis are based on a visual examination of the patient and the collection of anamnesis.

The presence of serious abnormalities, in addition to laying the ear, may indicate the following symptoms:

  • dizziness;
  • noise in ears;
  • painful sensations;
  • unstable blood pressure;
  • gurgling in the ear;
  • hearing loss;
  • the presence of secretions;
  • swelling and inflammation of tissues;
  • detection of swelling or seals in the ear canal;
  • frequent diseases of the nose, throat and upper respiratory tract;
  • temperature deviations from the norm;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • speech disorder;
  • mimic anomalies.

In cases with the presence of the above signs, you can not do anything on your own, without prior agreement with the doctor.

To ascertain the suspicions of a particular disease, the doctor must prescribe a number of diagnostic measures. Blood tests and endoscope examinations are standard. Further, the patient may be referred for x-ray, CT or MRI to detect areas of soft and bone lesions. Dopplerography is used to study the state of blood vessels. In some cases, it is necessary to check the acuity of hearing, for which audiometry is performed and a sample of tuning forks is removed. Only after receiving a complete picture, the doctor prescribes therapy to the patient and explains what needs to be done to fix the problem.

After the exact reason why the patient often has ears blocked is determined, a set of therapeutic measures is prescribed. The main goal is not to get rid of discomfort, but to eliminate the provoking factor.

If you have not identified any serious diseases, and the doctor is inclined to block the ear for some external or temporary reason, you can do the following manipulations to alleviate this symptom:

  • Rinse your ear with hydrogen peroxide. Put 5-10 drops of the drug directly into the ear or soak a cotton swab in it for cleaning. This procedure is necessary to remove hardened sulfur.
  • Almond oil will help soften the ear canal and get rid of impurities. It is instilled into the ears with only 1 drop in each ear canal. In addition, almond oil has a slight antiseptic effect.
  • It is very important to adhere to the rest regimen, as congestion can occur due to overexertion and fatigue. This may partly be due to the vascular system.
  • The main condition is the treatment of inflammation. The doctor will select the exact therapy for you. Several groups of drugs are used to eliminate tissue swelling and infection, for example, vasoconstrictor nasal drops, antibiotics, etc.
  • To restore the functions of the Eustachian tube, blowing is necessary. You can try to exhale air with a pinched nose or yawn widely. More effective is blowing through Politzer, which is carried out by an otolaryngologist.
  • It is necessary to establish nutrition in order to saturate the body with vitamins and normalize blood pressure. Avoid spicy, fatty, sugary and overly salty foods.
  • Changing jobs can also solve the problem, as some working conditions explain why ear problems occur.
  • If the cause of the disorder is serious enough or there are certain anatomical defects, surgery will be required to resolve the problem. Most surgical procedures on the ears are performed under local anesthesia.

Physiotherapy is used to eliminate the symptom in many situations. If you massage the eardrum, irradiate the ear with special devices, influence active points, you can completely restore its work.

The main thing is not to be idle. With a timely response to the problem, it can be solved in a short time and without consequences.

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Pawns ears

Congestion in the ear can sometimes indicate dangerous diseases. There are a lot of reasons for the manifestation of this ailment, here there is improper hygiene of the ears, and pathological intracranial formations. But for any manifestations, it is necessary to conduct an observation for some time in order to understand in what circumstances congestion occurs. In the event that the symptom of ear congestion does not disappear, for example, two days plus additional signs appear, including headaches and noises, then you should immediately seek medical help.

When laying ears, the reasons can be quite different. This often happens, for example, when the patient has taken a ride on a carousel or traveled in a car at high speed. It should be borne in mind that age affects the elasticity of the body's blood vessels, and the vestibular apparatus becomes more sensitive and vulnerable from pressure surges.

In the event that congestion and dizziness are caused by unknown causes and this condition does not last long, then it is likely that this is the result of physiological phenomena, and not a persistent problem. However, the situation can be completely different when the disease begins to bother, appearing regularly and for no particular reason. Then we can talk about the occurrence of problems from the central nervous system, including the cardiovascular.

The reasons

The ears are rather complicated. The auditory canal is connected to the middle ear by the nasopharynx and serves to equalize pressure. However, when, for one reason or another, the Eustachian tube closes, the pressure that the middle ear has has no chance to adapt to the change in environmental pressure. For this reason, bending inside the eardrum occurs and, as a result, it manifests itself as a laying of the ears.

Often the patient experiences these symptoms for the following reasons:

  • As a result of the penetration of a foreign body - a piece of cotton wool that remained in the ear when improper cleaning was carried out, an insect that penetrated in an unexpected way and other reasons. As a result, congestion is often accompanied by dizziness. These symptoms are often accompanied by signs of decline and weakness.
  • Blockage of the ear canal with a sulfur plug, which served to block the ear canal. Symptoms are expressed by hearing loss and various sounds in the ears - ringing, noise.
  • As a consequence of chronic otitis media, which is characterized by ear congestion and pain in this area. It should be noted that the presence of external otitis rarely leads to this disease, and as for the middle and internal ones, they can serve as a provoking factor, since the auditory tube communicates with the middle ear and the outer one.
  • Quite often, a runny nose causes stuffy ears. This happens due to the very close connection of the nasopharynx with the Eustachian tube, and the swelling that appears in it extends to the latter, which leads to its overlap.
  • As a consequence of Meniere's disease. This pathology is characterized by a unilateral manifestation of symptoms.
  • With vegetative-vascular dystonia, pressure is added to pain in the occipital or temporal region. There are restless sleep, nausea and dizziness.
  • Due to intoxication of the body. In this case, you may suddenly feel unwell, expressed in weakness and dizziness.
  • Due to the lack of vitamins, for example, such as group vitamins, which are responsible for the process of oxygen delivery, as a result of which their deficiency provokes weakness and dizziness.
  • As a result of craniocerebral injuries, the consequences of which are reflected in the work of the vestibular apparatus.

Other reasons

The cause of ear blockage may be a stroke, in which case, in addition to the typical symptoms, such as weakness, constant dizziness, speech problems, and sounds in both ears or in one of them. Reduced vision and sensitivity may be added. In such situations, you need to urgently call an ambulance, otherwise it can lead to disastrous results, even death.

This ailment can manifest itself as a result of water entering the ear canal after bathing or taking a shower. This is due to the fact that, once in the ear, foreign fluid is already difficult to leave the auricle, it irritates the vestibular apparatus and hinders hearing, but not for long. However, more serious situations also occur under similar conditions. Having penetrated into the ear canal, the water begins to soak the sulfur deposits or the cork, as a result of which, by swelling, it does not allow the sound wave to reach the receptors.

But the great danger lies in the fact that the wax, which is swollen, is localized in the inner ear or middle, not in the external auditory canal, as a result, the membrane is under strong direct pressure. This situation is dangerous because it can result in a rupture of the eardrum.

Quite often, organ congestion occurs with strong pressure drops. This happens, for example, when the patient makes air flights. Or when it dives under the water column; while diving. And also rides an elevator in a high-rise building, or rides in the mountains, etc. This is due to the difference in pressure levels, because of this, the exudate enters the ear tube from the nasopharynx, depriving the patient of clear hearing for a short time. But it also happens that even minor changes affect the manifestation of symptoms, for example, when the patient quickly descends the stairs or rises to the bridge.

Some more factors

  • As a result of osteochondrosis, when the normal process of blood supply to the brain is disturbed, this is characterized by dizziness, the patient's coordination of movement is disturbed, and flies often appear before the eyes.
  • due to hypertension or hypotension. If the patient's ears are blocked, the pressure appears in jumps, which in turn contributes to the appearance of headaches, an unsteady gait, as well as stuffy ears and other symptoms.
  • In the state of pregnancy, when congestion is manifested by physiological fluid retention in the body. As well as the activation of the process of blood supply due to the expansion of blood vessels and an increase in the volume of circulating blood.
  • One of the reasons when the ears are blocked is the pressure in the labyrinth, which rises.
  • Malignant tumors can cause ear congestion on the side where they are localized.

For colds and flu

Very often, a cold occurs with complications that go to the ears, and not only their congestion occurs, but other rather serious diseases, for example, otitis media. As mentioned above, the nasopharynx has a direct connection with the ear, so it is no coincidence that one specialist is in charge of these pathologies. And if this is considered in an anatomical section, then you can see the transition of the external ear canal to the tympanic membrane, located in front of the middle ear. After that, we see the presence of a space filled with air, which, in turn, is connected with the help of a pipe to the nasopharynx.

These features allow air to circulate without any obstruction, and provide the ability to control differences within the ear pressure. With a cold, as you know, such a characteristic symptom as a runny nose appears, which creates a certain barrier to the normal process of air circulation, contributing to the entry of mucus from the nose into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.

Causes of stuffy ears after sleep

When a patient, after waking up in the morning, finds congestion in the ears, this circumstance may indicate an untreated cold, as a result of which accumulations of mucous deposits appeared in the region of the back of the throat. Since the patient, while in a dream, cannot ensure the natural process of swallowing the mucous exudate, the latter, penetrating the ear, creates an obstacle to air.

Stuffs ears while exercising

With increased physical exercise, when the patient is only at the beginning of the sports path, this may result in the appearance of tinnitus and mild dizziness, since the vessels have not yet had time to get stronger. In a situation where partial hearing loss occurs when performing strong physical exertion or exercises in the gym, it is impossible to make an unambiguous diagnosis, since there can be many reasons for this. However, in some cases this is due to a lack of blood that enters the brain due to changes in blood pressure. This condition is often accompanied by other symptoms, for example, the patient may complain that he is dizzy or becomes dark in his eyes. Often, such signs can be observed with osteochondrosis, this occurs as a result of squeezing the vessel to the inflamed organs, hence the increase in pressure and the laying of the ears.

Diagnostics

When a patient's ear is blocked, the question involuntarily arises, what to do? The first step is to contact the clinic to the otolaryngologist. Quite often, a simple examination is sufficient, however, if the disease proceeds in a complicated form, a number of diagnostic procedures will be required. For example, in order to diagnose inflammation of the nasopharyngeal region and the Eustachian tube, an x-ray is required. In addition, an audiogram and tympanometry can be used.

What to do in an emergency?

If the patient suddenly feels head pressure, nausea, ringing in the ears, then in this state one can be injured, losing balance and consciousness. To avoid such negative consequences, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

  • It is necessary to find the nearest object for support in order to restore balance. To do this, you can use anything: a chair, a tree, a table.
  • The situation can be aggravated if the patient tries to sit down with his eyes closed.
  • You need to try to pull yourself together and breathe properly. Breathing should be even, in order to exclude convulsive panic breaths, you need to breathe through your nose.
  • The patient should try to provide himself with the best access to air. To begin with, make the tie looser, let go of the belt. If possible, go out into the fresh air or at least ask to open the window.
  • If this happened to the patient during work, then you should definitely take a break and just relax for a few minutes.
  • Often the cause of dizziness and ringing in the ears is dehydration, so you should drink water.

Treating ear congestion at home

Any treatment for this disease is necessary only in consultation with the doctor. He will conduct the necessary examination, determine the cause that served as a provoking factor for the manifestation of ear congestion and select the correct treatment so that there are no dangerous complications. However, there are simple methods that can be applied at home without any additional activities:

  • For example, to prevent the appearance of traffic jams, you can use a special diet. It will not be difficult to follow it - you just need to give up some dishes in your diet. Smoked meats, very spicy, salty foods are not desirable. If it is difficult to give them up completely, then it would be a good idea to start by limiting their use, even temporarily.
  • Be sure to include solid fruits and vegetables in the diet, as they contribute to the removal of sulfur deposits through the external canal while chewing food, thereby carrying out the process of self-cleaning of the ear canals.
  • A couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide helps in the fight against traffic jams - this remedy will soften and warm the affected organ. Camphor alcohol is often used for this purpose, which is also used for instillation into the ear.
  • You can also use a tool such as candles. Currently, there are quite a lot of different ear candles that help in removing plugs, first they soften them, and then they dissolve. In almost every pharmacy you can buy such a candle and use it at home without any help. It is desirable that in every home a similar and often necessary remedy is available in the first-aid kit.
  • When pain in the ear or some other symptoms are added to the main symptom, then you should immediately consult a doctor, perhaps an infectious disease is the cause of this. Therefore, one way or another, it is unlikely that it will be possible to do without medical participation, so it is better to do it faster.
  • If the cause of congestion was the ingress of water during bathing, then they use a long-standing proven method - they tilt their heads to the side of the blocked ear and twitch five to six times. At the end of the procedure, several deep sips are taken.
  • When this ear problem occurs while flying in an air liner, to get rid of it, you need to slightly open your mouth, making circular movements between the temples and ear cartilage. As a result, there will be a redistribution of pressure, and the disease will not.

Treatment with folk remedies

Currently, in folk medicine, there are a large number of methods and recipes, the use of which helps to get rid of congestion. However, we must remember that their rash and careless use can lead to undesirable consequences. Therefore, regardless of the nature of the symptoms, it is recommended to discuss their use in advance with a specialist who will advise which means are better and more appropriate to use, and which ones will have to be abandoned.

It is worth giving some of the most popular folk recipes:

  • to prepare a decoction, we take hawthorn in the amount of a tablespoon and periwinkle of a teaspoon. The mixture is poured with half a liter of boiling water, then put in a water bath, where we hold for 30 minutes. After this time, remove the broth and insist for about fifteen minutes. It will have time to cool down and be ready for straining. Use this mixture one spoonful before meals;
  • to prepare this infusion, you need to take raspberry roots, necessarily crushed and dry (two tablespoons) and, pouring boiling water, insist for twelve hours. This folk remedy is taken for three weeks several times a day;
  • a plant such as eggplant also helps well. The core is first removed from it, and the vacant place is filled with pumpkin oil. After that, this vegetable must be baked using the oven, cool and squeeze thoroughly. When the mixture is warm, it is used in the morning to instill stuffed ears.

About congestion in children

Similar symptoms, which may be present in children of any age, are dangerous because the appearance of them, as well as concomitant congestion signs - tinnitus and dizziness - small patients can hide from their parents. And very small and would like to but can not do it. And parents can only guess about the unpleasant sensations that have appeared in their child by their behavior: capricious, whiny, lethargic. But ear congestion can carry more serious problems than, for example, a cork.

Therefore, it is desirable that parents teach the child from a very early age not only to attach importance to any deviations in the functioning of the body, but also to talk about them, to try to correctly explain them themselves. In some cases, ear congestion can be a symptom of the following serious diseases:

  1. manifestation of an aneurysm.
  2. The patient has impaired circulation.
  3. Symptoms of various inflammatory processes.

In order for these and other serious pathologies not to go unnoticed in a timely manner, it is necessary at the first signs to contact a specialist so that he can prescribe a comprehensive examination. As a rule, comparatively small problems can be solved quickly and at minimal financial cost, and for this you need to regularly undergo preventive examinations with your child.

With symptoms of sudden dizziness, the child needs to get together, while the main thing is not to make any quick movements and try to maintain balance. With frequent manifestations of dizziness and congestion in the ears with noises and ringing, do not postpone a visit to the clinic to a specialist.

Prevention

One of the most common causes of congestion in the ears is poor hygiene. When an ailment occurs immediately after the patient cleans his ears with a cotton swab or some time after that, this condition may indicate that a sulfuric plug has formed in the ear canal. This can be prevented if you know that a cotton swab, when inserted into the ear hole, provokes the formation of plugs. Excess sulfur should be excreted on its own during chewing, and only the outer part of the ear shell can be cleaned. But there are other reasons as mentioned above.

You need to pay due attention to normal sleep. After all, constant lack of sleep is also one of the causes of stuffy ears. A cotton swab and medicines will not help here. Therefore, you need to take care of the normal mode yourself. Moreover, such symptoms will appear occasionally at first. And then they will begin to occur more and more often, and it will be more difficult to treat the disease.

Conclusion

As can be seen from all of the above, there are a lot of reasons for the appearance of ear congestion and other symptoms accompanying this ailment, such as dizziness and tinnitus. And some may indicate the presence of certain inflammatory processes. Which ones - only a specialist who is endowed with knowledge will help to figure it out, so seek medical help in a timely manner and undergo an examination.

Laying the ear after sleep and in the position on the side: possible causes and treatment

Some people complain that their ears are blocked after sleeping. The reasons for such an unpleasant sensation in the morning can be very diverse, so you need to observe your condition for several days, and if such discomfort recurs, it is better to consult a doctor. It will help to deal with the question of why the ear is blocked. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that ear plugging may be accompanied by noise and pain in the head.

Causes of ear congestion

Perhaps these are changes in blood pressure, which can lead to hearing impairment. If the patient has had a head injury, then there is a possibility of a crack or damage to the hearing aid. Another reason that is often found is sulfur plugs, they block access to the eardrum, and the person feels stuffy in the ears.

The cause may be a cold, which has not been fully cured. In this case, mucous deposits collect on the back of the throat and enter the ear during sleep, thereby creating an obstacle to the flow of air. A common cold can lead to the same result.

Often the patient complains of congestion in one ear exactly on the side on which side he used to sleep. When you try to clean the ear, the congestion does not go away, and the ear stick becomes wet. When chewing movements in the ear, rustling or crunching is felt.

It is possible that this is due to the inflammatory process in the auditory tube and tympanic cavity. Such a complication can occur after a runny nose, colds or sinusitis. Sometimes, after suffering otitis media, adhesions form on the eardrum, which will periodically block the ears.

What to do and how to help yourself?

If the problem is due to sulfur plug, then it must be carefully removed. The pharmacy sells special candles that are inserted into the ear canal so that the plugs become softer. It is better to do this in a prone position. If it was not possible to cope with this problem on your own, then you should contact a specialist, he will wash the auricles with a special disinfectant solution.

Ear congestion helps to eliminate the process of chewing, for example, vegetables, fruits or solid foods. The movements that occur during chewing help to stimulate the outflow of sulfur and easily rid a person of sulfur plugs without assistance.

You can drip a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide or camphor alcohol into each ear, which have softening and warming properties. But if ear congestion is accompanied by pain, then without the help of a doctor in this case, you still can not do. If the cause of the blocked ear is in the problems of the cardiovascular or nervous system, then the specialist should examine the heart and brain. Sometimes the doctor prescribes an audiogram, it will help to identify hearing changes and make the correct diagnosis. For treatment, special medications and vitamins of group B are prescribed.

Ear congestion associated with the inflammatory process must be treated to prevent the development of hearing loss. The patient is prescribed anti-cold and antibacterial drugs. For treatment, the doctor also advises the use of special ointments and drops for the ears. Solutions that wash the sinuses help to cope with this problem; they necessarily include sea salt. Medical compresses can be applied to the area around the ears.

If the problem is a cold, after which a cork remains in the ear, then you can try to get rid of it with the help of inhalation. To do this, pour boiling water into the container and add a few drops of any essential oil to it.

They bend over the container with the ear that is blocked and cover their head with a towel. After a few minutes, the head is turned to the other side, you can also inhale the steam through your nose and mouth. This procedure significantly improves the patient's condition.

If the uncomfortable condition is caused by pressure drops, then after its stabilization, the congestion of the ears will pass. You can try to help yourself in other ways, for example, swallow saliva several times. You can drink water in small sips or eat something. Sometimes improvement occurs if chewing gum. In the case when pressure drops occur frequently, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

From frequent ear congestion, a special emulsion will help, for its preparation it is necessary to place 500 g of butter in an enamel bowl and bring it to a boil. The resulting remedy should be instilled into the ears in the morning and evening before going to bed for 3 weeks. It will be enough for 3 drops in each ear.

You can wash the nasal passages several times a day with a solution that is prepared by dissolving 1 teaspoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water.

If a person often stuffs his ears after sleep, you can use folk methods, but they should be used only after consulting a doctor so as not to worsen the condition.

Headache and nosebleeds: possible causes and emergency care algorithm

Why is the ear blocked after cleaning or washing and what to do about it?

Why can a child or an adult have a nosebleed at night?

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Why stuffy ears and how to get rid of congestion

Any person can lay their ears. The causes may be harmless and easily treatable, but stuffy ears can be one of the symptoms of a serious condition.

Why lays ears: common causes

The ear is a complex organ responsible for the perception of sound and the balance of the body. Consists of the outer, middle and inner ear. The Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the pharynx.

The most common causes of stuffy ears are:

  1. Atmospheric pressure drop - occurs at high altitude or depth, when driving at high speed or when moving on an elevator.
  2. Sulfur plugs - appear with the active formation of earwax, which forms plugs that block the ear canal. They are not hazardous to health, they are easily eliminated in a few minutes by washing.
  3. Water in the ear - water not removed from the ear in time can cause blockage. The reason is not serious, it is easily eliminated with the help of an ear stick and several actions aimed at moving water into the nasopharynx.
  4. Previously transferred otitis (inflammation of the ear) - can be the cause of ear blockage, because this disease often leads to adhesions on the eardrum, which can only be detected by a qualified specialist.
  5. Sensorineural hearing loss is a weakening of the auditory function that occurs when the auditory nerve is damaged due to insufficient blood supply. This disorder occurs in people with cerebral ischemia, arterial hypertension, and head injuries.
  6. Eustachitis (inflammation of the auditory tube) - occurs against the background of colds, in the presence of polyps or a curvature of the nasal septum.
  7. Allergic rhinitis - there is swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, which leads to the laying of the ears. An allergy can occur upon contact with an allergen (plant pollen, dust mites), with frequent use of vasoconstrictor drugs (Nafthyzin, Nazivin, Nazol, etc.), when eating allergenic foods (citrus fruits, eggs, cocoa, honey, fish, etc. ).
  8. Vegetative-vascular dystonia (VVD) - is the cause of jumps in blood pressure. Often occurs in pregnant women and adolescents due to hormonal changes and low hemoglobin levels.
  9. Narrowing or curvature of the ear canal - may be associated with the anatomical features of the structure of the auditory organ of a particular person.

The cause of congestion can be rare diseases: sinusitis, acoustic neuroma, etc. These diseases can only be diagnosed in a medical institution, therefore, if ear congestion occurs, it is better to consult a doctor.

What to do if you feel dizzy when changing the position of the body is described in this article.

From here you will learn about the indications for the use of Vinpocetine.

Causes of the frequent occurrence of a symptom

The frequent occurrence of a symptom that causes constant discomfort is a reason to make an appointment with a doctor, as it may indicate a number of serious diseases. Most likely, it will not work to find the cause on your own, and self-treatment in this case can lead to negative consequences.

Only a doctor can diagnose the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Of course, the usual overwork can be the cause, but it is better to consult a specialist to rule out serious pathologies.

The cause of the frequent manifestation of the symptom may be hypertension, which can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or detachment of a blood clot.

It is important to be able to listen to the signals of your body, the main of which is pain.

Congestion in the ears, accompanied by dizziness, can be triggered by stress, an unbalanced diet, intoxication of the body, overheating in the sun, stuffiness.

Unilateral and bilateral obstruction of the ear canal

Often a person can feel congestion in both ears in the morning in the presence of untreated colds of the nasopharynx, when mucus accumulates on the back of the throat during sleep. Then the mucus enters the auditory tubes, blocking the passage of air.

Two ears can be laid at once with a sharp jump in arterial or atmospheric pressure. But bilateral otitis media can also be the cause. Otitis media often affects children under three years of age.

Pregnant women often complain of a feeling of congestion in the right ear. This symptom goes away after the baby is born.

A feeling of congestion can occur when a foreign body enters the auditory canal. This may be an insect that could crawl into the ear at night, especially if the overnight stay was in nature.

Also, there may be a wax plug in the ear or residual water after bathing. Often, two ears are laid at once during a flight in an airplane or a normal ride in an elevator and even in the subway.

Which doctor should I contact if my ear is blocked and my head hurts

A stuffy ear and a headache are a fairly common phenomenon that does not occur by chance. It is important to find and eliminate the cause.

Elderly people often complain about the manifestation of these symptoms, especially after physical exertion and emotional overstrain. This happens in hypertensive patients - people with high blood pressure.

In children and adolescents, this disease is rare, mainly due to obesity. At risk are people who abuse smoking, alcohol, fatty foods. Contribute to the development of the disease stress and disruption of sleep and rest.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia in the acute phase can cause these symptoms, especially if combined with inflammation of the cervical vertebrae.

If headaches, dizziness, nausea, darkening in the eyes and congestion in the ears appear regularly, then it is urgent to visit a therapist.

A simple runny nose can also cause these symptoms. The nose is stuffy, and not enough oxygen enters the lungs and brain, which causes headaches and congestion in the ears. In this case, you need to seek help from an otolaryngologist (ENT).

Medical treatment of stuffy ear syndrome

Since the causes of ear congestion can be different, then the treatment is prescribed appropriate to them:

  • vasoconstrictor drops, which for some time will relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa with a runny nose (Tizin, Nazol, Naphthyzin, etc.);
  • anti-inflammatory ear drops for otitis media (Otipax, Otinum) and with antibiotics for severe cases (Sufradex, Dexon);
  • antiviral drugs (Rimantadine, Kagocel) that accelerate the healing process for colds, swelling subsides, ear congestion disappears;
  • antibiotics for acute otitis media, inflammation of the facial nerve and other serious diseases;
  • drugs that lower blood pressure in hypertension (Dibazol, Papaverine, Captopril, Losartan, Felodipine);
  • drugs that normalize blood pressure and restore vascular tone in VVD and Meniere's syndrome (Tonginal);
  • drugs that increase blood pressure (Askofen, Ketorol, Ibuprofen);
  • antihistamines (Citrin, Diazolin, Suprastin, Vibrosol) for allergic reactions leading to swelling of the mucous membranes and stuffy ears;
  • alcohol drops for the ears (Auridexan) and alcohol compresses.

Lays ears: what to do at home

First of all, it is worth figuring out what is the cause of stuffy ears, and then proceed to eliminate the symptom.

If you feel a piercing pain in one or both ears and at the same time the body temperature is very high, call an ambulance immediately.

If discomfort is felt in the ear, and it is not possible to get an examination by an otolaryngologist, use the following recommendations:

  1. Sulfur plug - eliminated quite easily. To do this, you need to put a couple of drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide into your ear, and after a few minutes rinse your ear with warm water. If the cork still does not come out, it can be softened by dropping a few drops of warm oil (olive, almond, sunflower) into the ear. After a few minutes, the ear should be rinsed with warm water using a syringe or a large syringe without a needle. You can visit the sauna, take a bath or shower, because the steam can also soften the traffic jams. A special diet will help reduce sulfur excretion. Do not eat spicy, salty and smoked foods. It is better to focus on vegetables. With active chewing of fresh carrots, radishes, apples, sulfur plugs are destroyed. Do not rinse your ear with boric alcohol, which is too aggressive and can increase inflammation. Do not pick out the sulfur plug with a sharp object, this can lead to injury to the eardrum.
  2. Slight inflammation and swelling of the mucosa with otitis media and colds can be reduced by using decoctions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, sage, calendula) for rinses and compresses. 2 tablespoons of dried herbs are brewed in half a liter of boiling water and stand for 2 hours.
  3. Ear congestion with a sharp drop in atmospheric pressure is not a health problem, it can be eliminated using several tricks: yawn deeply; open and close your mouth several times in a row; suck on candy or chew gum; pinch your nose with your fingers and blow the air until you feel cotton, then swallow several times.
  4. Water got into the ear - this often happens while swimming or diving. You need to tilt your head to the side and pull the ear. If the actions did not help, you should pinch your nose with your fingers and try to blow the water out of the ear canal.

Remember, money can't buy health, so listen carefully to all the signals of your body and consult a doctor in time.

The following video shows very clearly why it can lay ears.

It lays the ears just so rarely, most often ENT diseases, colds and flu contribute to the appearance of discomfort. Treatment of an unpleasant symptom is usually carried out at home.

Ear congestion most often occurs due to the development of diseases

Causes of stuffy ears

Periodic hearing loss, especially in the morning, due to stuffy left, right ear - many people face this problem. Sounds become muffled, a person hears his own voice, sometimes his head starts to spin and hurt, coordination worsens, pressure in the ear, itching, noise - these are the main signs of congestion. The degree of their intensity depends on the factors that caused the discomfort.

natural causes

In such cases, ear congestion most often occurs without pain, without a runny nose, it is easiest to eliminate them, you can do without drug treatment, complications rarely occur. Tinnitus (tinnitus) occurs in people who listen to loud music, often use headphones, in people whose work is associated with constant exposure to loud sounds on the hearing organs.

Why lays ears:

  • a traffic jam has formed due to improper hygiene procedures, increased secretion of sulfur - congestion appears suddenly after water procedures, when the sulfur swells;
  • a sharp change in atmospheric pressure during a flight, in the mountains, in weather-sensitive people, similar symptoms occur when the weather changes;
  • water getting into the ear canal when diving, swimming - this is a problem often in a child;
  • intense physical activity;
  • foreign body in the ear canal.

Otitis media causes hearing problems

Other diseases

The nose, head and ears are closely related - the inflammatory process from one organ can go to another. Therefore, with the flu, a severe runny nose, sinusitis, pharyngitis, after a cold and sore throat, a complication often appears in the form of stuffy ears, discomfort often intensifies after sleep.

What diseases can lay the ear:

  • ear congestion is often from increased pressure, while there is noise, and dizziness;
  • functional disorders of the maxillofacial joint;
  • deviated septum of the nose;
  • brain tumors.

Plugged ears can be due to a deviated septum

Temporary hearing impairment, which is accompanied by a sensation of a lump in the throat, occurs with diabetes, thyroid and blood pathologies, as a result of edema in allergies, during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis and vegetative-vascular dystonia.

If the ears are deaf, the noise is disturbing, this may indicate problems with the nervous and cardiovascular systems, such symptoms occur after injuries, long-term use of certain medications.

Treatment

If the ear is blocked just like that, it does not hurt, there are no signs of a cold, other unpleasant sensations, then resorting to medication does not make sense, simple manipulations will help to cope with the situation.

What to do with temporary ear congestion at home:

  • yawn widely several times;
  • close your nose, hold your breath, exhale without opening your nostrils;
  • drink a glass of water slowly;
  • chew gum.

Drinking a glass of water slowly will help get rid of stuffy ears

These simple methods will also help if the ear is blocked on the plane, when climbing the mountains. If the ears are stuffed up after bathing, it is necessary to create a vacuum - put your palm tightly to your ear, sharply remove it, jump on one leg from the side of the stuffed organ, hearing, apply a warm heating pad for a quarter of an hour. If there is no improvement, you can drip 2-3 drops of hydrogen peroxide.

Medicines

To eliminate ear congestion, various medicines are used in the form of drops and tablets, depending on the cause of the discomfort. All preparations for external use should be heated to 36-37 degrees before instillation.

The main groups of drugs:

  • hydrogen peroxide, Furacilin solution - for washing the ear;
  • antibacterial drugs in tablets - Azithromycin, Amoxicillin, are prescribed for otitis media, which is accompanied by severe pain, high fever;
  • antibiotics in drops - Otofa, Polydex, are necessary for the treatment of mild otitis media;
  • anti-inflammatory drops - Otipaks, Otinum;
  • vasodilating nasal drops - Sanorin, Nazivin, eliminate mucosal edema;
  • Sofradex ointment - antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic for the treatment of otitis externa;
  • antihistamines - Suprastin, Cetirizine, help with allergies, eliminate puffiness;
  • means for softening the ear plug on a water or oil basis - A-cerumen, Aqua Maris Oto, Vaxol.

Furacilin is used to wash the ears

If nasal congestion occurs against the background of a runny nose, an alcohol compress will help - mix vodka and water in equal parts, moisten gauze folded in several layers in the solution, fix it on the sore ear for half an hour. The procedure is carried out once a day.

If there are signs of purulent otitis media, suspicions of a violation of the integrity of the tympanic septum, a tumor, it is impossible to instill and warm the ear.

Features of the treatment of certain diseases

With otosclerosis, an effective method of therapy is surgery, but even after surgery, the problem often returns again.

Meniere's syndrome is considered an incurable disease, anti-nausea drugs, antihistamines, diuretics will help improve the condition. Betahistine is considered the best remedy because it helps to dilate the vessels in the inner ear. With a running form, injections of Gentamicin, Prednisolone are made into the middle ear.

With neurinoma, if it does not increase in size, tablets are prescribed. Diuretics (Furosemide), anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen), painkillers (Ketorol), cytostatics (Methotrexate). With active growth of the neoplasm, surgical intervention is indicated.

To avoid stuffy ears, you should blow your nose properly, treat colds, flu, and otitis media in a timely manner. When cleaning the hearing organs, you can not drive a cotton swab into the ear canal, you can only clean the outer parts.