Dear Dr. Hurst,
In the past few years, I have steadily experienced more ear/sinus problems (I am a 29 year old female). I take various OTC sinus medications (on a daily basis) for symptoms that include headaches, sinus pressure, stuffy nose, plugged ear (usually my right ear). The headaches and sinus pressure get much worse when the weather is bad (rain or snow).
During the week, I get up at 5:00 a.m. and usually take two sinus pills (sometimes it is necessary to take more in the afternoon). This seems to keep my symptoms at bay during the week. However, on weekends I wake up several hours later. Within an hour of getting out of bed, my right ear plugs up. It usually takes several hours to half a day for it to unplug (after taking two sinus pills). Why is this happening, and what can be done about it? I'm also concerned about having to take this medication daily.
Additionally, I seem to have daily drainage...I'm constantly clearing mucus from my throat, especially after I eat a meal. I would really appreciate any advice you have for me.
Thanks,
JS
Dear Doctor Hurst:I am a 31 year old male who has had chronic middle ear problems over the past five years. My case history is as follows:
- NO otitis media or any other ear/hearing difficulties from birth to age 26
- at age 26, had micoplasma pneumonia and Stephen-Johnson syndrome, which triggered asthma, which I have to this day, controlled with Becloforte (beclomethasone inhaler) 4 puffs a day. - about six months after the above illness, my right ear began "plugging up". ENT diagnosed as otitis media and treated this with antibiotics and eventually a tube - limited success
- right ear and then left ear repeatedly have contained thick yellowish fluid which refuses to drain (two ENT's have said this is the thickest mucous they have ever seen. They have called it "glue ear")
- repeated tubes in both ears have been ineffective - they become blocked or are pushed out of the ear drum (even t-tubes and grommets have done this!)
- repeated treatments of cloxacillin and other antibiotics have not
eliminated the mucous.
- a CT scan and MRI of sinuses, ears, and hearing nerves, have both been negative
- I now have a profound inner ear hearing loss in the right ear, and hearing loss at higher frequencies in the left ear: an upcoming audiology test will determine how much of the left ear problem is inner vs. conductive hearing loss.
- current ENT has described my condition as chronic OM, with eustachian tube dysfunction. He has no idea how to clear out my ears, other than doing a mastoidectomy. He is hesitant to do this with the left
ear, since this is my "hearing" ear and there is risk that this surgery will damage the hearing
- am seeing an allergist. I tested positive for various food allergies and have been on a restricted diet for two months. Also I am on Flonase nasal spray, although I have no nasal allergic symptoms, to see if this will help clear the eustachian tubes. It's difficult to see if the diet has made any difference, since the fluid that was in my ears prior to this allergy diet is still there! - am seeking out a recommended naturopathic doctor to see what they can come up with.
I would appreciate any advice you have about my case. The allergist used a skin test, but mentioned some types of blood tests available in California may be more accurate as to any food allergies I may have. Do you know anything about the accuracy of blood versus skin tests for allergies?
Dear Doctor Hurst
I am a 48 year old female, who has suffered from repeated ear infections all my life. I have been on numerous antibiotics that will briefly clear my ears. At present, I have vertigo from fluid in my ears. I accessed your site, and I am in total agreement with you on allergies. I am diagnosed with allergies. I had to do this because of nearly fatal episodes with asthma over the years. I have had years of sneezing until I could barely think. Doctors would medicate me with antihistimines until I would be nearly incoherent. When I got the asthma and nasal and sinus problems seemingly under control; the stuff seemed to move to my ears with a vengeance. I am tired of putting up with this. I found one doctor that listened to me. The entire right side of my head was sore and I had immense pressure from fluid in my right ear. He put a tube in my ear, which brought me almost immediate relief from pressure. And, he prescribed an antihistamine.
I had to wait for a while to take it because of drug interaction with the antibiotic that he had been giving me. I only had him as a physician for a couple of years. He was a military physician. The next ENT to take his place decided to "try something else" . . . . . I hate those three words at this point. Anyway, I am once again miserable. I need to find a physician who will prescribe the antihistamine for me again. Now, I resent having to take drugs on a regular basis. You get that way if you have had to take something since early childhood. But, an antihistamine a day was working for me. Usually, 30 of them would get me through the worst of the allergy season. They did not make my kidneys hurt or give me any other miserable side affects. I hope this helps someone else. I went through years of having vertigo and being miserable. I would not wish it on anyone.
Thank you for your time. I will be glad to answer any questions that you may have.
Fairview, TN
I have had two of my cousins tell me that they have taken their children (under a year) to a Chiropractor for ear infections. Since going, their children have not had an ear infection.
Do you have any history of Chiropractic care for the prevention of ear infections??
Teresa
Dear Dr. Hurst,
I got a little discouraged when I saw one of your replys. You told a mother to "go ahead" and have tubes put in their daughter's ear. While I agree that many ear infections can be treated by eliminating milk products I do not agree on tympanostomy until everything has been tried first. Chiropractic adjustments have been very effective in the treatment of this condition. You might be thinking: Chiropractic!!??? For ear infections!?!??? But they don't have back pain they have ear infections!!!!
Don't take my word for it at face value. Check into it further. I don't know if you have preconceived notion about chiropractic. But if you are a true man of science I think you owe it to all of your patients to recommend all methods of care before throwing the towel into surgery. Chiropractic first, pills second and surgery last.
Your in Health,
Paul B, DC
Dear Tim-
Your theory is not off. People are definitely allergic to tobacco smoke - as there are about 300 chemicals in the smoke. It will cause congestion in many folks - but mostly it is a sign that probably (my theory) you also are allergic to other more common things - like dust, molds and animals. So the smoke is just a "smoke screen" if you will. The chronic congestion leads to chronic retraction of your ears, but if cortisone will relieve it temporarily - not at all a good idea on a constant long term basis for the rest of your life, then so should good allergy management - which cortisone does in a quick fix way. Monthly (or weekly) treatment of your allergies would be more reasonable. See a ENT allergist and get tested/treated.
Good luck,
Dr. Hurst
Dear Dr. Hurst,
I am a 25 year old male who has had ear problems my entire life. By the age of twelve I had already had 6 pairs of tubes put in and I have had them in off and on my entire life. I have on several occasions been tested for allergies and with the exception of when I was a young child, they always turn up negative. I've since developed my own hypothesis and I would appreciate your feedback and any information you have on scientific studies of this hypothesis.
I believe that cigarette smoke is a direct cause of Otitis Media. Why?
Because of my experience with second hand smoke. Both of my parents have smoked my entire life and my mother smoked during pregnancy. Of course, I had trouble my entire childhood which included hyperactivity due to medication and speech problems. The first time I can recall prolonged relief was when my parents quit smoking for approximately eight months. I was in college but living at home, and I had no sinusitis or ear problems that entire time. Then, they started smoking again. Almost immediately I was back at the doctor for the same problem. I've also noticed that my ear congestion tends to be worse the day after I go to a bar or night club where smoking is prevalent. I just wonder if being exposed to smoke led to the chronic problems experienced at a young age and could preventing these problems at a young age lead to better health as an adult?
One last question. None of the decongestants seem to work. The nasal sprays do help to open the front of the sinuses but does not relieve the pressure from my ear. The only effective relief, my ENT says that my right ear is scared there is no place to put another tube, is cortisone shots. The problem is that my tube closes back up after about three weeks. If I find a willing doctor would it be unreasonable or unsafe to use this as a regular monthly treatment?
Much thanks,
Tim