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What Causes Clogged Ears While Suffering From Cough And Congestion?
Question: I have had a cough (with mucus) and congestion for about 3 weeks. Now my right ear feels like it is clogged and it won't pop. My husband looked at it with a flashlight and said it looked like it had a white stringing like growth. Do you think it is part of a sinus infection that has hindered my hearing?
Brief Answer:
Sinusitis and Eustachian tube block..
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query. I do understand your concern; I'll try my best to help you with this problem.
All the symptoms described by you seem to be related to a condition of the nose called sinusitis. The cause of the cough could be the post nasal drip from the sinuses into the throat.
Ear block could be secondary to the congestion of the nose. In a scenario like this, the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear) gets narrowed following nasal congestion, leading to negative pressure inside the middle ear and trapping of the middle ear secretions. Thus, the trapped secretions and the negative pressure in the middle ear hampers the movement of the ear drum causing ear block.
My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water. Warm water reduces the nasal congestion and cough.
2. Do steam inhalation 2-3 times a day for at least 3 minutes. Warm air reduces the nasal congestion, opens up the sinuses and the clogged Eustachian tube.
3. Use saline nasal spray. Saline clears of the thick secretions and opens any block in the sinuses.
4. Mucolytic such as Ambroxol or Bromhexine is helpful in relieving the tenacious secretions.
5. Avoid chilled food and beverages/coffee/smoking, if any.
6. If the symptoms do not get better within 3-4 days, please consult your doctor for a complete evaluation of the ear, nose and the throat.
With the above measures you will definitely feel better. Revert back to me if you have any follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Sinusitis and Eustachian tube block..
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query. I do understand your concern; I'll try my best to help you with this problem.
All the symptoms described by you seem to be related to a condition of the nose called sinusitis. The cause of the cough could be the post nasal drip from the sinuses into the throat.
Ear block could be secondary to the congestion of the nose. In a scenario like this, the Eustachian tube (the tube connecting nose and the ear) gets narrowed following nasal congestion, leading to negative pressure inside the middle ear and trapping of the middle ear secretions. Thus, the trapped secretions and the negative pressure in the middle ear hampers the movement of the ear drum causing ear block.
My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water. Warm water reduces the nasal congestion and cough.
2. Do steam inhalation 2-3 times a day for at least 3 minutes. Warm air reduces the nasal congestion, opens up the sinuses and the clogged Eustachian tube.
3. Use saline nasal spray. Saline clears of the thick secretions and opens any block in the sinuses.
4. Mucolytic such as Ambroxol or Bromhexine is helpful in relieving the tenacious secretions.
5. Avoid chilled food and beverages/coffee/smoking, if any.
6. If the symptoms do not get better within 3-4 days, please consult your doctor for a complete evaluation of the ear, nose and the throat.
With the above measures you will definitely feel better. Revert back to me if you have any follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2545 Questions
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