What This Means For You
Although more research is required to reach a conclusive diagnosis, there is enough scientific proof from clinical trials and studies that show treating GERD directly may also improve ear and nose symptoms.
As a GERD patient experiencing ear and sinus complications, we recommend visiting an ENT and informing him or her regarding your chronic reflux condition. With this information, you can have peace of mind knowing that there are medical therapies available to improve your discomfort.
How Do Allergies Or Sinus Issues Affect My Hearing
The human ear has three key sections Outer, Middle, and Inner which can all be affected by allergies or sinusitis.
Outer ear: Allergic reactions can cause itching and swelling of both the outer ear and ear canal. Some individuals may be allergic to skin reactants like laundry detergent, pets, fragrances or earrings. Others may experience symptoms because of airborne allergies that cause outer ear inflammation such as hay, pollen, mold or dust. Swelling of the outer ear can make it difficult for sounds to make it to your middle and inner ear.
Middle ear: The Eustachian tube is located in your middle ear, so if swelling occurs here from allergies or infection, it is very difficult for fluid in your ears to drain properly. This can cause fluid buildup and a feeling of unwanted pressure, which gives you the feeling of fullness or congestion in the ear and also creates a breeding ground for bacteria. It also means the sounds coming into your ear are becoming muffled and lost, not clearly traveling to your inner ear. Problems with the middle ear can also affect our equilibrium, so balance problems such as vertigo can occur if inflamed.
Inner ear: People with specific inner ear issues such as Ménières disease can be particularly affected by hearing loss due to allergies or sinus infection.
When To Contact A Medical Professional
- Your symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days or you have a cold that gets worse after 7 days.
- You have a severe headache that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicine.
- You have a fever.
- You still have symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics properly.
- You have any changes in your vision during a sinus infection.
A green or yellow discharge does not mean that you definitely have a sinus infection or need antibiotics.
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Other Diseases & Medical Conditions
- Tinnitus is a reported symptom of the following medical conditions:
- Metabolic Disorders: Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Anemia
- Autoimmune Disorders: Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia
- Blood Vessel Disorders: High Blood Pressure, Atherosclerosis
- Psychiatric Disorders: Depression, Anxiety, Stress
- Vestibular Disorders: Ménière’s Disease,Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Otosclerosis
- Tumor-Related Disorders : Acoustic Neuroma, Vestibular Schwannoma, other tumorous growths
Again, a person experiencing tinnitus should not assume that he/she has one of the medical conditions listed above. Only a trained healthcare provider can appropriately diagnose the underlying cause of tinnitus.
Blockage Due To Foreign Object
You can do the following things at home as first aid for a foreign object in the ear:
- if the object is visible, carefully use tweezers to gently remove it
- tilt your head to the side to use gravity to remove the object
- try to wash the object out using a small syringe with warm water to gently irrigate the ear canal
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Symptoms Of An Ear Infection
The primary symptoms of an ear infection include acute ear pain and hearing loss. You will have the sensation that your hearing is muffled and you may experience referred pain to your throat or fluid in the middle ear.
When youre experiencing an ear infection, you may not necessarily see a change in color in or outside your ears.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long To Get Wisdom Teeth Out
Gum disease: The longer you wait, the more at risk of gum disease you are. Impacted, partially erupted wisdom teeth arent easy to clean, and you could develop pericoronitis. Its the inflammation of gum tissue around the crown of a tooth. Tooth decay: When teeth are difficult to clean, the risk of decay increases.
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Common Causes Of Pressure In Your Ears
Change in altitude Altitude changes can be tough on your ears, leading to things like ear pain or headaches. One of the most common ways altitude affects our bodies is through pressure changes in your eustachian tubes.
Flying in an airplane, driving up the mountains, or riding up an elevator all have one thing in common. When altitude changes rapidly your eustachian tubes may not have time to adapt and can become blocked.
Sinusitis Sinusitis is a painful condition that occurs when your sinuses, the hollow spaces inside your face, become inflamed. The swelling and pressure can cause you to feel fullness or pain in your ears.
In some cases, its caused by bacteria as well as viruses. When you have sinusitis symptoms, such as congestion or inflammation of the mucous lining inside the nose coupled with headache and fever, see a doctor promptly for treatment because they may be signs of bacterial infection.
Colds An ear infection, like the common cold, can be easily spread. The illness is caused by a virus or bacteria that enters through the lining of your nose and throat. When youre sick with an ear infection, you may also experience ear pressure because fluid builds up in your middle ears to combat the infection. Another type of middle-ear condition would be otitis media, which occurs when there isnt enough drainage from your eustachian tubes due to inflammation. This causes fluid buildup and promotes germs to grow even more rapidly than they normally could.
Can Sinus Issues Cause Ear Ringing
If the sinusitis worsens, the airways will become fully blocked, resulting in sinus-induced ringing in the ears. The pushing of the bulging sinus cavity or the rise in pressure induced by starting to blow your nose might impose pressure on the ear drum, resulting in ringing in the ears. This condition can be painful and may lead to hearing loss if it is not treated.
Sinus issues can also lead to pain in the head, face, or neck. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see a doctor to determine the cause of the issue before it leads to more serious problems.
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Can Acid Reflux Cause Sinus And Ear Problems
Chronic acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease can produce symptoms beyond the usual heartburn and sore throat. GERD manifests itself in different ways, with some patients experiencing less common but still normal signs of the condition.
Can acid reflux lead to ear and sinus complications? Yes, it can. Although the reason for this is still indefinite, acid reflux can lead to ear and sinus infections for some patients.
On the other hand, patients experiencing postnasal drip, sore throat, and a swollen larynx may have laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR, a similar stomach condition that is sometimes mistaken for GERD.
Can Sinusitis Affect Your Ears
The Sinus-Ear Relationship As a result, nasal congestion and stuffiness might have an impact on ear pressure. Congestion treatment may be beneficial. Sinus congestion can cause more than just a stuffy nose. Pain, disorientation, and a muffled-ear sensation, as if you’re on a plummeting aircraft, can also occur. These are all signs of increased ear pressure.
Ears can become infected by the same bacteria that cause problems with your sinuses. This often occurs after a cold or fever. When this happens, you’ll need to see both a dentist and an ear, nose, and throat doctor to resolve the issue. A dental professional will be able to diagnose whether there’s any connection between your sinuses and ears. They’ll be able to treat any infections present in each area and recommend any necessary medication. If you have ongoing issues with your ears, call your dentist’s office for an appointment. They may be able to help.
Sinus problems can also lead to hearing loss. If you have frequent headaches or facial pain, see your doctor to determine the source of your discomfort. He or she may be able to tell you if your sinuses are causing your hearing problem too. If so, treatment options will vary depending on what’s causing the pain/problem. For example, if it’s a bacterial infection, you’ll likely be prescribed antibiotics. Pain killers and anti-inflammatory medications are other common options used to treat sinus problems.
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An Ent Youll Be Glatz To See
Ear congestion is not uncommon and can often be efficiently resolved at home with the help of home remedies or over-the-counter treatments.
Should your ear congestion last more than two weeks or be followed by a fever, fluid drainage, loss of hearing, balance issues, or severe ear pain, come pay a visit to your local McAllen ENT that we can guarantee youll be Glatz to seeand hear once your problem is resolved.
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Hearing Aids Or Masking Devices
Dr. Gergits may prescribe a hearing aid especially if you have experienced hearing loss. You may also benefit from a masking device, which is similar to a hearing aid. Instead of assisting in hearing loss, masking devices deliver a soothing sound to drown out the unwanted sound of tinnitus.
Other treatments include therapies, like Tinnitus Retraining Therapy and cognitive therapy, dental treatment, cochlear implants, and natural/herbal remedies
You can also take steps to prevent tinnitus by avoiding loud noises and protect your hearing at all times.
If youre fed up with the noise in your ear and are desperate for relief, look no further than Dr. Gergits and the team at Sinus & Allergy Wellness. Their expertise and dedication to your care will bring you comfort, normalcy, and peace once again. or schedule an appointment online.
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Ear And Sinus Infections
Many people will experience tinnitus when they have an ear infection, sinus infection, or cold.
These infections can cause sinus fluid to build up in the ear, triggering a change in pressure that causes tinnitus.
“Ear infections often cause the area behind the eardrum to swell or build up fluid, which causes a temporary hearing loss,” says Hadassah Kupfer, AuD, an audiologist and adjunct faculty at the City University of New York’s Audiology Graduate Program. “This typically resolves after the infection goes away.”
So How Can You Treat Sinusitis
To have sinusitis is bad enough. To add tinnitus to the picture, makes it even more unpleasant.
Here are common things that you can do at home to treat your sinusitis
The main purpose of treatment should be aimed at improving the sinus drainage system and treating the infection.
1.Nasal Decongestant Sprays: These sprays contain Oxymetazoline or Phenylephrine. Their main purpose is to constrict the blood vessels. By doing this, they prevent congestion of fluid in the nasal cavities. The problem is that they cannot be used for longer than 5-7days.
The reason is that if it is used longer, they cause rebound nasal congestion. This simply means that it makes the congestion worse.
2. Oral Decongestants: These preparations e,g. Actifed helps to reduce congestion without having to cause the rebound side effects.
There are other side effects though and caution must be exercised in people who have high blood pressure.
3.Nasal Corticosteroid Sprays: Depending on the country that you reside in, certain nasal corticosteroid sprays can be bought over-the-counter at your local pharmacy. In my country, we sell Flonase.
The steroid sprays are great in a sense that they can be used longer that 5-7days.They help to reduce the inflammation of the mucous membranes. In fact, even in someone who is suffering from chronic sinusitis, can use the spray for a period of 6months or longer!!
Dosage on this is usually one puff daily into each nostril.
4. Anthistamines
5. Nasal Irrigation Systems
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Treatments For Postnasal Drip
You can take steps to relieve the symptoms of postnasal drip. Exposure to steam, by taking a shower or drinking hot soup, for example, can help to thin the mucus and open the nasal passages. You can also prevent mucus from collecting in your throat while you sleep by lying on propped-up pillows. If your postnasal drip is caused by allergens or other irritants, nasal irrigation can help clear these foreign bodies away.
Postnasal drip can also be treated with medication, but the specific drug you should use depends on what is causing your symptoms. Steroid sprays or certain antihistamines, for example, are common treatments for postnasal drip caused by allergies. If your postnasal drip is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will likely treat it with antibiotics. Decongestants and expectorants may also be effective.
If you have persistent upper respiratory symptoms, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. He or she can help determine the cause and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Ear Pain
Symptoms of pain at the surgical site and even pain or ringing to the ear may occur four to five days following surgery. Call the office if this occurs. The socket will need to be examined and treated. Failure to treat a dry socket can cause increased pain and may contribute to serious bone or whole body infections.
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How Is A Cholesteatoma Treated
Generally speaking, the only way to treat a cholesteatoma is to have it surgically removed. The cyst must be removed to prevent the complications that can occur if it grows larger. Cholesteatomas dont go away naturally. They usually continue to grow and cause additional problems.
Once a cholesteatoma has been diagnosed, a regimen of antibiotics, ear drops, and careful cleaning of the ear will most likely be prescribed to treat the infected cyst, reduce inflammation, and drain the ear. Your medical professional will then be able to better analyze the growth traits of the cyst and make a plan for surgical removal.
In most cases, the surgery is an outpatient procedure. This means that you dont have to stay in the hospital after the procedure. A hospital stay is only necessary if the cyst is very large or if you have a serious infection. The surgery is done under general anesthesia. After the initial surgery to remove the cyst, follow-up surgery to reconstruct any damaged portions of the inner ear and make sure that the cyst has been completely removed is often necessary.
Once the cholesteatoma is removed, youll need to attend follow-up appointments to evaluate results and ensure the cyst hasnt come back. If the cyst broke any bones in your ear, youll need a second surgery to repair them.
After surgery, some people experience temporary dizziness or taste abnormalities. These side effects almost always resolve themselves within a few days.
Are There Any Potential Long Term Effects Of Sinus Congestion And The Ears
If sinus congestion is not treated, the symptoms will continue to bother you, making you unnecessarily miserable by the day. Unless the root cause of the problem is taken care of, the ear pain will persist and may even develop into tinnitus and/or partial hearing impairment. It is very important to ensure the proper functioning of the Eustachian tubes for optimal hearing.
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Ear Infections In Gerd Patients
Chronic otitis media is a long-term ear problem resulting in the perforation in the eardrum. When left untreated, the middle ear can get infected with liquids. Ear problems are another known manifestation of GERD. A study was keen to understand the relationship between GERD and OME.
The scientists tested out antireflux medication on a patient with GERD and OME to understand whether reflux medication would directly alleviate OME symptoms. Scientists found that antireflux therapy and other lifestyle modifications associated with GERD improved both GERD and OME symptoms.
Publishers have two interesting suggestions regarding GERD-related OME:
Recent studies detected pepsin, a stomach enzyme apparent in reflux contents, in the fluid stuck in the middle ear. This reaffirms the suspicion that GERD may in fact be related to the development of OME.
Another study followed patients between ages 1 to 17 with OME and used anti-reflux therapy to improve the signs of GERD. This study also confirmed that anti-reflux medication helps with patients with resistant-therapy OME, leading them to believe that OME may be directly related to GERD.
Can Nasal Congestion Cause Ringing In The Ears
The middle ear is connected to the throat with the help of a narrow passage called the Eustachian tube. The tube is hollow and open at one end. It balances the pressure with the help of air flowing inside the middle ear. The tube opens as a response to your sneezing, swallowing, or yawning. This mechanism prevents the build-up of air and fluid pressure within the ear canal behind the eardrum.
The audio channel can be blocked from the outside by excessive accumulation of ear wax. This channel can also get blocked from inside the eardrum as a result of infection. A number of conditions can increase the production of nasal mucosa in the cavities, such as nasal allergies and asthma. This, in turn, results in fluid build-up inside the Eustachian tube. When the Eustachian tube is inserted, you may not clearly hear how the sounds will be muffled. The sensation of pressure, pain, and fullness in the ear space are also not uncommon. Allergies, sinus infections, colds, or the flu can cause the holes in the Eustachian tube to be partially blocked.
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