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Suggest Treatment For Pulsating Sensation Behind The Ear

Posted on Mon, 6 Apr 2015

Question: Sometimes I feel a quick, thumping pulsation behind my left ear, like a throbbing vein. It goes away after a short while and it's not painful, but very intense and loud. Is this normal?

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thumping pulsation behind one ear

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Thumping pulsation occasionally behind your left ear is most likely anxiety symptom.Anxiety related throbbing sensation can occur in one or both ears.
This symptom might feel as though your heart is beating in your ear.

However organic cause like Pulsatile Tinnitus is another possibilty but in such case it is inside ear rather than behind it.

Pulsatile tinnitus can due to highly vascularized tumors of the temporal bone , venous anomalies and vascular stenoses,Dural arteriovenous fistulae, inflammatory hyperemia, and intracranial hypertension.

An ENT consultation is needed to rule out organic cause,if the symptoms are persistent.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (9 hours later)

Thank you for your response. I think I didn' give enough information in my question. In the past I had meniere's tinnitus and vertigo , though now it seems to be in remisión. But I'm also over weight (Bmi 35) and I have high colesterol level, about 220. Could that be linked.?

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is some degree of linkage....

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.

Ménière's disease is linked to endolymphatic hydrops, an excess of fluid in the inner ear and risk factors for atherosclerosis may play an important role in triggering attacks.

The only link is high cholesterol level a contributory factor for atherosclerosis .

You need to check also your thyroid function status (serum T3,T4 & TSH level) as state of overweight with hypercholesterolemia may be due to hypothyroidsm.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (1 hour later)

Thank you for your reply.

My mother has hypothyroidism and the last time I got myself checked I was close to it as well. I will go and have another checkup.

I also feel a slight pain sometimes around the left area near where the heart is, behind the left breast. Could this also be something to take into account?

Regards!!!!!

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow-up query

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
It appears that you have subclinical hypothyroidism (previous value close to level of hypothyroidism). Please check it again,if it is more than 08 weeks from the previous date of lab examination.
Pain behind the left breast is most likely non-cardiac and might be acid-related. Antacid such as proton pump inhibitor( PPI) like pantoprazole may be benficial.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj