Conditions such as colds, allergies or the flu can create a painful, stuffy feeling in the ears.
However, constantly having that feeling of plugged, painful inner ears can be a sign of eustachian tube dysfunction, and it could be a sign to see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.
According to FamilyDoctor.org, the eustachian tube is a small opening from the throat to the middle ear. Sneezing, swallowing or yawning opens the eustachian tubes to prevent air pressure and fluid buildup in the ear. When those openings get blocked, the resulting condition is eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).
"People who suffer from eustachian tube dysfunction have one or more of several symptoms," Dr. Anthony Sanders of the Indianapolis Sinus Center told Patient Daily. "These include ear fullness, inability to pop your ears easily when flying on an airplane or driving through hills, getting recurrent middle ear infections or ear effusions with hearing loss and pressure or fullness."
FamilyDoctor.org says that children, smokers and people who are obese are generally the most likely to suffer from ETD. The condition can go away on its own as the underlying cause goes away, but it's often treated with a balloon dilation when the condition persists. According to studies of the treatment method by the Journal of Otology and Neurotology, the procedure offers significant reduction in ETD symptoms.
In a balloon dilation procedure, a catheter inserts a small balloon through the nose into the eustachian tube. The balloon is then inflated to reopen the pathway for air and fluid passage.
"Recent advancements of balloon dilation of eustachian tube orifice have proven to be highly effective to improve the eustachian tube function and the resulting ear problems," Sanders said.
There are treatment options available before choosing the balloon dilation procedure. Children often get small tubes implanted into the eardrums to allow drainage of fluid buildup in the middle ear. An ENT specialist may also choose to make a small incision in the eardrum and suction out the fluid buildup, allowing a couple of days for the inflammation in the eustachian tube lining to reduce.
If a patient's ETD is suspected to be temporary, a specialist might suggest taking a decongestant to reduce the tube swelling or increasing yawning, swallowing and chewing gum to encourage the tubes to open.
To learn more about the treatment options for ETD, take this quiz and visit with an ENT specialist.
