What is ear congestion?
Learn more about ear congestion
Learn more about ear congestionEar congestion, which leads to a feeling of pressure and fullness in the ear, can be defined as temporary hearing loss. Ear congestion, which is common and affects people of different ages and sexes, occurs when the ear canal closes for different reasons and the Eustachian tube cannot provide equal air pressure to both sides of the eardrum. The Eustachian tube is like a canal that connects the middle ear and the back of the nose. The inability of the Eustachian tube to perform its function, which allows the middle ear to ventilate and equalize the intra-ear pressure, leads to the fact that sounds are heard buzzing, as if behind a wall. This temporary condition, which prevents normal hearing due to the effect of negative pressure, reduces the quality of a person's life with a feeling of congestion and fullness. In addition, causes such as foreign body leakage into the ear can also lead to ear congestion. Ear congestion can cause a person's hearing ability to decrease in later stages.
What causes ear congestion?
The most common cause of ear congestion is a change in height. This condition, which is experienced due to a change in pressure in the middle ear, has been experienced by almost everyone. This blockage, which is usually removed by stretching, is caused by pressure differences. Cleaning the ear with an ear swab is also another common cause that causes ear congestion. The ear swab leads to the fact that the outbreak, called earwax, is pushed into the ear, and therefore the outbreak clogs the ear. Ear congestion, which can lead to long-term congestion, pain and hearing loss, can occur for many different reasons. Some common causes of ear congestion are listed below:
• Bun: Bun, also known as earwax among the people, is one of the most common causes of ear Decongestion. The bun is also known as earwax. It is one of the most common causes of ear Decongestion. A secretion called cerumen is secreted in the area called the ear canal, or in other words, where the ear hairs are located. The purpose of this dark yellow liquid is to keep out dust and similar foreign substances found outside and to protect the eardrum from infections. Cleaning this fluid leads to dryness and itching inside the ear canal. This secretion, which is actually not dirt or dirt, is normally thrown out of the ear on its own. The ear plugging of the bun is usually caused by the incorrectly performed cleaning process. Objects such as ear sticks should not be inserted into the ear to clean the ear. The bun secreted from the outer parts of the ear does not reach the inner parts of the ear under normal conditions. This process leads to the fact that the bun pushes against the eardrum and blocks the ear. The reason for the excessive secretion of the bush is to be in dusty and dirty environments for a long time. In addition, after actions such as going to the sea, taking a bath, a small amount of a bun in the outer ear can swell and block the ear.
• Inflammation of the External Ear: The part located between the auricle and the eardrum is called the Decubitus. Inflammation of the external ear, which is medically defined as otitis externa, is especially common in swimmers. That is why it is also sometimes called swimmer's ear. The main cause of inflammation of the external auditory canal is the exposure of the ear to an excessive amount of moisture. The water or moisture remaining in the ear canal provides a suitable environment for bacteria to multiply. Although the most common cause of external otitis media is fungal and bacterial infections, it can also be seen very rarely for allergic and dermatological reasons. Inflammation of the external ear, which leads to a foul-smelling discharge of yellow or green color, is among the diseases that lead to ear Decongestion. To prevent this discomfort, the ears should be protected while swimming, and the ear should be thoroughly dried with soft cotton after activities such as swimming and bathing.
• Inflammation of the Middle Ear: Inflammation of the middle ear, also known as acute otitis media, can occur as a result of allergies, respiratory infections, sore throat and colds. The air-filled region where the small bones called anvils, hammers and stirrups that provide hearing are located at the back of the eardrum opens to the back of the nose and throat thanks to the Eustachian tube. In the presence of infection, the fluid in the region cannot drain from the middle ear to the nose. In this case, the fluid collected behind the eardrum prepares the ground for the rapid development of otitis media. Inflammation occurs as a result of infection or swelling of the tissue around the Eustachian tube by bacteria or viruses. Swelling of the nasal flesh for different reasons also increases the risk of middle ear infection. Otitis media, which is accompanied by symptoms such as ear pain, ear congestion, loss of balance, Decongestion, itching around the ear, is common among young children.
• Eustachian Tube Dysfunctions: The Eustachian tube connecting the nose, throat and middle ear ensures that the intra-ear pressure is balanced. Discomfort that exists in the Eustachian tube can prevent the equalization of air pressure outside with the middle ear. In this case, the middle ear can be damaged and lead to symptoms such as ear congestion and ear pain. Problems with the Eustachian tube are usually conditions such as colds, allergies, ear infections that lead to swelling and inflammation of the Eustachian tube. Blocking the Eustachian tube for different reasons also leads to the fact that the pressure in the middle ear cannot be equalized with the pressure in the external environment, which leads to ringing, pain and ear congestion.
How to open ear congestion?
Ear blockage, which almost everyone experiences once in a part of their life, is an extremely uncomfortable condition. It is often asked, "How does ear congestion go away?" or "How to unclog ear congestion?" the answers to your questions vary depending on the cause of the ear blockage. But most often, in order to eliminate ear congestion, it is enough to relax the Eustachian tube, or in other words, equalize the pressure of the middle ear with the pressure of the external environment. For this, it may be recommended to swallow, drink water, suck a piece of sugar, yawn or chew gum. After these actions, ear congestion opens along with the pit sound heard. In addition, after taking a deep breath, slowly exhaling through the nose, closing the nose with your hand while doing this procedure can also be good for ear congestion. Inhaling hot water vapor, increasing fluid intake, and taking a hot shower may also be recommended to relieve the ears.
If you also have a complaint of ear congestion and methods such as yawning, swallowing do not work, do not forget to make an appointment with an otolaryngologist and be examined without wasting time.