Topic Overview
What are the eustachian tubes, and how do they get blocked?
The eustachian (say "you-STAY-shee-un") tubes connect
the to the back of the throat. The tubes help
the ears drain fluid. They also keep air pressure in the ears at the right
level.
When you swallow or yawn, the tubes open briefly to let
air in to make the pressure in the middle ears equal to the pressure outside of
the ears. Sometimes fluid or negative pressure gets stuck in the middle ear.
The pressure outside the ear gets too high. This causes ear pain and sometimes
trouble hearing.
See a picture of the
.
What causes blocked eustachian tubes?
Swelling
from a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can keep the eustachian tubes from
opening. This leads to pressure changes. Fluid may collect in the middle ear.
The pressure and fluid can cause pain. You also can have ear pain from changes
in pressure while you are flying in an airplane, driving up or down mountains,
or scuba diving. Fluid in the ear can lead to an infection (). Young children have a high risk
of ear infections, because their eustachian tubes are shorter and more easily
blocked than the tubes in older children and adults.
What are the symptoms?
Blocked eustachian tubes
can cause several symptoms, including:
- Ears that hurt and feel
full.
- Ringing or popping noises in your ears.
- Hearing
problems.
- Feeling a little dizzy.
- A fever, which can be
a sign of an ear infection.
How are blocked tubes diagnosed?
Your doctor will
ask about your symptoms. He or she will look in your ears. The doctor also may
check how well you hear.
How are they treated?
Blocked eustachian tubes
often get better on their own. You may be able to open the blocked tubes with a
simple exercise. Close your mouth, hold your nose, and gently blow as if you
are blowing your nose. Yawning and chewing gum also may help. You may hear or
feel a "pop" when the tubes open to make the pressure equal between the inside
and outside of your ears.
If you can't open the tubes, your doctor
may suggest an
pain medicine. If you have allergies,
the doctor may prescribe a steroid medicine that you spray in your nose. You
may need
if you have an ear infection.