Suggest Treatment For Productive Mucus Cough
Last week my ears got incredibly blocked (like when you're underwater). I went to the doctor 2 days ago and she gave me cetirizine and beconase and told me if it wasn't any better in a month to go back.
I teach for a living - I need my hearing!! What can I do??
(I do suffer from sinusitis at times)
Acute otitis media with sinsuitis...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query. I do understand your concern. I will try my best to help you with this.
Blocked ears is due to the presence of water inside the middle ear. This happens when there is cold or allergy. Common cold or nasal allergy causes congestion in the nose and the sinuses, as well as, around the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear). The blocked Eustachian tube leads to negative pressure inside the middle ear causing retention of the water.
Do not worry! With appropriate measures you will definitely be alright. Avoid cetrizine at present and you can continue with beconase.
My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water. Warm water re-hydrates the mucosa of the nose and the throat, thus reducing the irritation.
2. Do steam inhalation 3-4 times a day. Steam increases the blood supply to the nose and the sinuses, thus reducing the nasal congestion.
3. Use saline nasal spray (available OTC).
4. Try taking mucolytic such as ambroxol or bromhexine. Mucolytic medicine reduces the consistency of the nasal and sinus secretions and helps in easy clearance of the trapped secretions.
5. If you do not get better with the above medicines within 3-4 days, consult your doctor to start broad spectrum antibiotics.
6. Avoid coffee and smoking, if any.
Hope I have answered the query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Various brands of Ambroxol or bromhexine is available...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
Ambroxol or bromhexine is available under various brands in different countries. I will suggest you check with your pharmacist.
At present, you don't require any antibiotics. Please try the symptomatic medicines and home remedies first. You will definitely get better.
Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Answered by
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2542 Questions