Pain and congestion in the ears is a very common symptom of a cold. However, it is difficult to imagine a condition that brings more discomfort than this. Thinking about what to do with congestion and pain in the ear? In our article, we will talk about the causes of an unpleasant symptom, as well as methods for treating and diagnosing diseases that lead to a similar condition.
Why do ears suffer during a cold?
An adult's ear hurts - how to treat such an ailment? If you are asking yourself a similar question, then we strongly recommend that you first familiarize yourself with why it is with a cold that the hearing aid suffers. The main reason is that all ENT organs are located at a very close distance from each other. For example, if inflammation begins to develop in the nose during sinusitis, then there is a possibility that it will be transferred to the ears.
The Eustachian tube suffers the most during a cold - a special organ thatconnects the nasopharynx to the hearing aid. This place is very vulnerable to various kinds of infectious diseases. If an inflammatory process occurs in the Eustachian tube, then a person has an unpleasant feeling of stuffy ears. Of course, the disease-causing mucus will be released when sneezing and coughing, but up to this point, the ears will be very sore.
Characteristic symptoms
Most people are well aware that ear pain when stuffed up is quite common with a cold. But sometimes it is so strong that it is simply impossible to move your jaw. However, this symptom may not be the only one among those that cause discomfort. Also, congestion in the ears is usually accompanied by the following sensations:
- noise, ringing or hum reverberating to the temporal region;
- discomfort when chewing and swallowing food;
- constant tingling in the ears;
- feeling of heaviness in the head;
- fever;
- pain in the temporal region;
- intensification of symptoms when pressing on the sink;
- hyperemia of the auricles and skin around them;
- numbness of some parts of the body;
- general hearing loss.
Be aware that if the infection reaches the middle ear, the person may develop otitis media. For this disease, the characteristic symptoms are severe headaches and ear pain, as well as copious discharge of purulent fluid from the nose. To avoid the development of the disease to suchdegree, it is important to diagnose it in time and start treatment.
Which doctor should I contact?
To identify the cause of pain and congestion in the ear with maximum accuracy, it is necessary to contact a medical specialist for help in a timely manner. However, some people simply do not know which doctor's office they are on the road to. Especially for such patients, we answer: with congestion and pain in the ears, it is best to contact an otolaryngologist immediately. If this is not possible, then an ordinary local therapist can provide first aid.
As a means of diagnosis, a classic examination of a diseased organ (ears and nose) is usually used. In addition, the patient will be recommended to take general tests (blood, urine) in order to exclude the development of more serious pathologies, such as otitis media. In rare cases, audiometry is performed - a procedure for checking the level of hearing acuity. Well, or instead, the doctor may prescribe an otoscopy - examination of the ear hole with a special device.
Basic treatments for colds
Stuffiness and pain in the ear (aching) can be cured by removing those causes that provoke the development of the inflammatory process. However, it is far from a fact that if a person manages to get rid of a cold, an unpleasant symptom will leave him alone. In some cases, an infection begins to develop in the body, which will make itself felt at certain intervals. That is why it is important not to self-medicate, but to go to the hospital.
Main treatment methodsick ears - the use of various drops and compresses, the action of which is aimed at eliminating pain and congestion. In addition, some drugs also tend to increase the overall protective function of the body so that the patient does not suffer from colds in the future. Only a qualified specialist can prescribe drugs or recommend this or that folk remedy.
Otipax is one of the most effective remedies
Stuffy ear with a cold? Most doctors will recommend that you use Otipax drops, which contain a special oily liquid and a small amount of alcohol. The main active ingredients of the drug are phenazone and lidocaine - two of the most powerful painkillers, the action of which is based on the elimination of inflammation. As a rule, a noticeable improvement in well-being occurs after the first day of use.
It is also impossible not to note the fact that under the action of this drug, the accumulated mucus is liquefied and removed to the outside. Therefore, drops can have a beneficial effect even in chronic otitis media. Otipax is available without a prescription, but if you decide to use it without consulting a specialist, keep in mind that the maximum dose is 12 drops per day (4 drops 3 times a day).
"Otinum" against congestion and pain in the ears
Drops appeared on the market relatively recently, but have already received their recognition from many patients. The main distinguishing feature of the drug is that it acts incredibly quickly. Already after the first application of the drops, pain and congestion should noticeably decrease. In addition, the drug can be prescribed during pregnancy, acute forms of otitis media and bronchial asthma.
The optimal number of drops for the treatment of colds is 9 per day (morning, afternoon and evening). In severe conditions, the dosage can be increased to 12, but this is allowed only after consultation with specialists. Also, the instructions for the drug say that the drops are allowed to be used for children under one year old. However, any sane parent should understand that consultation with a pediatrician in this case is strictly required.
"Garazon" is able to cope even with otitis media
Another medicine for congestion and pain in the ears, which will help to cope even with severe forms of otitis media. In addition, the drug has an anti-allergic effect, so it can be used by asthmatics and allergy sufferers. But during pregnancy, the remedy is contraindicated. In addition, you should think twice before giving it to a child under the age of 12, these drops have a very strong effect.
The composition of the drug contains betamethasone - an antibiotic that can not only alleviate the patient's condition, but also remove the accumulated infection from the body. It is recommended to warm the drops before use, so as not to cause discomfort from the cold. Already afterthe first application, a person will feel a noticeable improvement in well-being: a headache will go away, swelling of blood vessels will pass, hearing will return.
Can folk remedies cure pain?
Of course, severe ear pain and congestion (for example, with otitis media) can only be eliminated with medications prescribed by a specialist. However, if the disease is not too severe, then various traditional medicines can be used for treatment, which can also be very effective, since they have practically no contraindications (except for individual intolerance to substances).
- Warming up. One of the most common methods of treatment among the people (although doctors are very skeptical about it). Usually, a classic heating pad, a boiled egg or an iron heated to a low temperature are used for this. A noticeable improvement in well-being will come after the first application. However, in acute forms of otitis media, heating is strictly contraindicated, as it provokes an inflammatory process.
- Flushing. What could be better than using a classic herbal infusion? Such funds are often used in order to get rid of the inflammatory processes of the ENT organs. Chamomile infusion will show the greatest effectiveness. For cooking, you must use 50 grams of dry matter and 0.5 liters of boiling water. The product must be poured into the ears warm, but not hot.
- Hydrogen peroxide. In some cases, cope with the inflammatory process andordinary hydrogen peroxide mixed with vegetable oil and glycerin in equal proportions helps with pain. Each of these components has its own role and goes well with the "neighbor". Just remember to warm the mixture so that washing does not bring discomfort. The optimum temperature is 40 degrees Celsius.
There are still quite a few different recipes for decoctions, tinctures and compresses that help fight ear pain. However, the three above are the most common and are even recommended by some medical professionals as adjuvant treatments. But in acute forms of otitis media, it is strongly recommended to refrain from alternative medicine, and give preference to conventional medicines.
Blow your nose properly
Many people are unaware of the fact that congestion and pain in the ear can increase dramatically if a person does not properly dispose of mucus accumulated in the nose. Most patients make the same common mistake - trying to push the contents out of both nostrils. As a result of blowing your nose like this, the impact on the Eustachian tube increases several times, and congestion and pain only increase.
Therefore, most doctors strongly recommend blowing your nose properly to prevent air from leaking into your ears. To do this, you must first pinch one nostril and blow your nose (slowly, not abruptly). After that, it is necessary to repeat the procedure, but with the other nostril. By the way, blowing your nose is best in disposable paper napkins, whichdiscarded after use. Handkerchiefs are a breeding ground for various bacteria.
Minor causes of congestion
Ear stuffed up? Do not forget that a similar symptom can be caused not only by a cold. There are a number of factors that can cause this feeling. So read the list carefully to make sure you have a common cold:
- pressure surges caused by climbing to an altitude (for example, in an airplane);
- water entering the auricle (after swimming or rain);
- presence of foreign objects (common in children);
- various fungal infections in the ears (rare);
- general changes in pressure indicator (arterial);
- presence of malignant tumors;
- deviated septum;
- sulfur plug formation;
- Ménière's syndrome.
Also, one cannot ignore the fact that in some cases, stuffy ears and headaches can occur in pregnant women. The reason for this phenomenon is simple - hormonal changes in the body. The gestational age in this case does not really matter.
Possible complications of ear pain
Stuffed ear - be sure to contact the clinic for help. If a person does not do this, then he risks provoking the development of more serious diseases that may accompany a cold. Here are just the most common and dangerous ones:
- eardrum perforation;
- significant hearing loss;
- facial nerve lesions;
- purulent otitis media;
- sinusitis.
If the patient does not seek medical help in a timely manner or neglects the advice of a medical specialist, then he runs the risk of permanently losing his hearing or even provoking the development of oncological diseases. Especially dangerous is meningitis - an inflammation of the membranes of the brain.
Can I prevent congestion?
This question will arise in the mind of every person who has ever experienced this kind of pain. It should be understood that ear congestion is just the same problem that can be prevented. The most important thing is to properly clean the nasal passages during a runny nose, because it is the accumulated mucus that becomes the main cause of congestion and pain in the ears. Of course, the exception is when a person simply blows out his ears in the cold.
So, in order to prevent the development of complications with a cold, it is necessary to use not only nasal sprays and drops, but also clean the nasal cavity with a solution of sea s alt. You can also use various decoctions and tinctures of medicinal herbs, which allow you to feel a significant improvement in well-being in a matter of days. So if you deal with a runny nose correctly, then your ears will never get sick.
Conclusion
We hope that now you will not ask yourself questions about what to do if an adult's ear hurts and how to treat ear congestion. Yes,such a condition can bring great discomfort to a person, however, in most cases, the cause of the development of a symptom is commonplace - improper treatment of a cold. If you do not allow the development of complications, then discomfort in the ears should not arise. Well, if the worst has already happened, be sure to seek help from a medical specialist, as self-medication can lead to more serious illnesses.
