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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Treat Discomfort In Ear After Suffering From Viral Flu?

Hi. İ m a 27-year-old woman. İ have just recovered from a viral flu at the end of August. Had a large build up of phlegm that made sleeping or leaning my head forward disorienting. Been clear since first week of September. Recently been having discomfort in my right ear. Could hear the thuds of my own footsteps. Woke up two or three days ago every time İ burped or swallowed hard or yawned just as hard there is a jolting burst of ache in the ear. My hearing is very clear (usually İ have blockages but İ hear quite clearly) just this pain that comes everytime İ do any of the above. Consulted my gp and he said it could be earwax but İ have had earwax problems before and this is different. He prescribed decongestants and said to come back after a few days if it is still the same. İ am flying at the end of the year, would it affect my ear in this instance. İ previously flew home with a flu and the descent made the pain in my ear very excruciating İ scared my fellow passenger. İt cleared after landing. Will it be the same in this instance?
Wed, 18 Nov 2015
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Discomfort and pain in ear can occur due to various causes.
Precipitation of pain after burping, swallowing or yawning suggests there may be some abnormality in the temporo-mandibular (TM) joint which is causing associated pain in the ear.
Possibility of joint involvement is more likely because pain is associated with movement of TM joint.
Most common cause of pain in ears is infection.
However, your symptoms are less suggestive of infection and more suggestive of some abnormality in TM joint which lies nearby to the ear.
Other causes of ear ache have also to be ruled out like impaction of wax, any injury to tympanic membrane or ear drum or evidence of infection in ears or surrounding sinuses.
I suggest you to consult an ENT specialist for clinical assessment of ear and TM joint for clinical assessment, investigations and thus management.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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How To Treat Discomfort In Ear After Suffering From Viral Flu?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Discomfort and pain in ear can occur due to various causes. Precipitation of pain after burping, swallowing or yawning suggests there may be some abnormality in the temporo-mandibular (TM) joint which is causing associated pain in the ear. Possibility of joint involvement is more likely because pain is associated with movement of TM joint. Most common cause of pain in ears is infection. However, your symptoms are less suggestive of infection and more suggestive of some abnormality in TM joint which lies nearby to the ear. Other causes of ear ache have also to be ruled out like impaction of wax, any injury to tympanic membrane or ear drum or evidence of infection in ears or surrounding sinuses. I suggest you to consult an ENT specialist for clinical assessment of ear and TM joint for clinical assessment, investigations and thus management. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri