How do I manage my persistent ear fullness and dizziness?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

We need to look at your reports and investigation films for the correct diagnosis. Kindly upload all the reports and relevant investigation films and get back to us. Eustachian tube dysfunction does not take that long to heal. Appropriate medicines will help you get relief from the problem.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have gone through all the reports and have correlated with your symptoms (attachment removed to protect patient identity). My diagnosis is middle ear effusion on the right side and minimal dysfunction on the left. Investigations point to the pathology on the right, whereas nothing points to any pathology on the left. All the symptoms are due to this. Middle ear effusion can occur due to multiple reasons, eustachian tube dysfunction being only one of the causes. More importantly, recurrent nasal block or allergy, or nasal discharges can affect the eustachian tube, causing reduced functioning.

In your CT scan (Computed tomography), we can see a mucosal thickening in both maxillary and frontal sinuses. The discharges produced in these sinuses empty into the nasal cavity, and they pass above and below the Eustachian tube, opening to fall into the throat. When mucosal thickening is present, there will be an increased amount and viscosity of secretions, which cause a blockage of the Eustachian tube opening. Moreover, you have a deviated nasal septum to the right side, which reduces the space in that nasal cavity. Additionally, your turbinates are hypertrophied, which means they are swollen in size. The swelling could be due to inflammation or an allergy. The result of all this is reduced functioning of the eustachian tube.

Hence, according to me, the nasal problem is causing the ear issue. The trigger for these problems (why this should occur now when you have been having this all through your adulthood) is unknown, and it could be pollution, allergy, subclinical inflammation, dental problems, rhinitis, etc. I want you to recollect if you have had a runny nose, allergy, itching of the nose, sneezing, watering of eyes, or itching of the eyes or throat. Any throat pain or nose block, or thick nasal discharge? All of these point toward a nasal problem that can lead to eustachian tube dysfunction.

When there is reduced functioning of the Eustachian tube, it causes reduced air ventilation and drainage of the middle ear. The same results in the production of fluid in the middle ear, which is not drained into the nose as would normally happen. In the right ear, B-type tympanostomy suggests that there is definite fluid. Considering your symptoms in the left ear, it may be that the fluid is temporary and resolves spontaneously. The same has caused ear block, feeling of lightheadedness, ear fullness, clicking sound, buzzing sound, and fatigue.

When I come to your questions, this problem does not last 20 years if you take appropriate treatment. However, a lot of people do have these symptoms and fluid in the ear problem. A lot of small kids have problems due to adenoids and tonsils. My advice would be to take appropriate treatment for the middle ear effusion and sino-nasal condition. After that, your ear should get better. I would say this will take about a fortnight to a month for complete recovery with apt medicines and not more than that.

As preventive measures, avoid dust, smoke, wind, pollution, cold foods, and citrus fruits. Medicines would be anti-inflammatory sprays in the nose with decongestants and mucolytics to remove the ear fluid. Definitive treatment with regard to nasal pathology requires studying your CT scan. That would mean you will have to upload the CT films. Right now, you have only uploaded a printed report, which is the radiologist's assessment of your nose. A complete ENT specialist assessment of the nose and sinuses would require studying the films. Kindly upload those. The nasal problem requires definite treatment to prevent the ear condition from recurring.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I do not need to see it in the recommended format. If you take a picture in front of the tube light, that will be good enough. Now, when you recollect and report the symptoms more chronologically, I feel the problem is right like I diagnosed it. You do not have to worry about it. We shall get it right.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.