Ear congestion is a typical sign of the development of inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes of the ENT organs. Decreased hearing acuity associated with increased perception of one's own voice, most often signals the development of catarrhal processes in the main parts of the middle ear. Ineffective and untimely therapy of ENT disease can cause the spread of foci of inflammation in the inner ear cavity, which is fraught with the development of labyrinthitis.
What to do if the ear is blocked with a cold? Post-infectious complications in the ears occur due to the connection of the respiratory system with the hearing aid. The development of pathogenic flora in the nasopharynx leads to infection of the auditory canal, which communicates the middle ear cavity with the pharynx. Thus, foci of inflammation appear in the auditory analyzer, as a result of which the affected tissues swell. If you experience discomfort in the ear, it is advisable to be examined by a specialist.
A little about anatomy
In most cases, congestion is evidence of dysfunction in the Eustachian tube, which connects the hearing aid (middle ear) to the pharynx. It provides constant air access to the tympanic cavity, thereby balancing the pressure in the middle and outer ear cavities. Maintaining homeostasis is necessary for the normal passage of the sound signal into the ear labyrinth, where it is converted into an electrical impulse.
The cartilaginous part of the Eustachian (auditory) tube ends in a small opening on the lateral wall of the nasopharynx. Its inner surface is covered with mucous (ciliated) epithelium, which contains lymphatic follicles and glands that secrete a clear liquid. Inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane lead to tissue edema, as a result of which the diameter of the tube is greatly narrowed.
Pathological changes in the state of the ENT organs lead to a violation of the drainage and aeration function of the auditory tube. As a result, the air pressure in the tympanic cavity decreases, which leads to the retraction of the ear membrane into the ear. Deformation of the membrane is one of the main causes of the feeling of congestion.
Etiology
How to get rid of ear congestion with a cold? The principles of therapy depend on the etiological factors that provoked the development of an infectious disease. The emergence of pathology in the organ of hearing with ARVI is most often due to the following reasons:
- rhinitis;
- sore throat;
- otitis media;
- myringitis;
- swelling of lymphoid tissue;
- inflammation of the auditory nerve.
Colds lead to a decrease in general and local immunity, as a result of which colonies
opportunistic microorganisms are growing steadily. The development of pathogenic flora in the auditory analyzer causes foci of inflammation, which leads to swelling of the mucous membrane in the auditory tube.
Important! An untreated cold often leads to the development of acute otitis media, which is fraught with perforation of the ear membrane and hearing loss.
Experts warn that intensive blowing out of mucus leads to its penetration into the Eustachian tube, which greatly increases the risk of developing a pathogenic flora inside the auditory analyzer. That is why the treatment of ear congestion always begins with the elimination of the main cause of its occurrence - ARVI.
Principles of therapy
Due to the close relationship of the hearing aid with the upper airway, ear congestion requires an integrated approach to therapy. If after ARVI ears are blocked, what to do? Among the variety of therapeutic methods for solving the problem, pharmacotherapy is considered the most common. To eliminate inflammatory processes in the tissues of the auditory analyzer,
- warming compresses;
- systemic antibiotics;
- antiviral agents;
- vasoconstrictor drops;
- immunostimulants;
- ear drops;
- local anesthetics;
- anti-inflammatory drugs.
Before using the above funds, you need to consult with an otolaryngologist. Some medications have an ototoxic effect, so they can only be used if the dosage recommended by the doctor is strictly observed.
Drug overview
Ear congestion is a symptom, not a separate ENT disease, so treatment is always started with antiviral drugs that eliminate the pathogenic flora in the upper respiratory tract. If an ear is blocked after a cold, how to treat it? To relieve the symptoms of post-infectious complications, the following groups of pharmaceutical preparations can be used:
- vasoconstrictor drops (Galazolin, Pharmazolin) - affect the state of adrenaline
receptors in the nasopharyngeal mucosa, as a result of which vascular permeability decreases and, accordingly, swelling; - anti-inflammatory drops ("Garazon", "Sufradex") - inhibit the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, due to which catarrhal processes are stopped in the auditory canal and eardrum;
- antibacterial drugs ("Amoxicillin", "Dexon") - prevent the development of pathogenic bacteria that contribute to the formation of abscesses inside the foci of inflammation;
- ear phyto-funnels ("Reamed", "Alkion") - eliminate inflammation and pain in the external auditory canal, which leads to an increase in local immunity;
- antihistamines ("Zyrtec", "Erius") - help to eliminate swelling in the tissues, due to which the inner diameter of the Eustachian tube increases;
- anticoagulants ("Zigris", "Fragmin") - accelerate blood circulation, which leads to an improvement in the trophism of the affected tissues.
receptors in the nasopharyngeal mucosa, as a result of which vascular permeability decreases and, accordingly, swelling;In case of damage to the auditory nerve, the pharmacotherapy regimen includes neurometabolic drugs that promote the regeneration of the protective sheath of the nerves.
Antibacterial drugs are used only if a bacterial infection is attached to ARVI. The appearance of bacterial flora in the foci of inflammation is signaled by hyperthermia, suppuration from the ear, and enlargement of the parotid lymph nodes.
Alternative medicine
Plugged ear for a cold, what to do? Folk remedies of anti-inflammatory and analgesic action contribute to the relief of unpleasant symptoms of ENT disease. However, experts warn that they can only be used as an adjunct to the main treatment regimen.
To eliminate inflammation in the auditory analyzer, you can use the following tools:
- anti-inflammatory turundas: bake a clove of garlic in the oven, then wrap it in gauze and insert it into the sore ear for 2-3 hours;
- warming compress: apply a gauze bandage soaked in camphor oil to the area behind the ear; insulate the compress with polyethylene and cotton wool;
- ear drops: dissolve 3 g of mummy in 100 ml of boiled water, adding 1 tsp to the solution. boric alcohol and sodium sulfate; instill in each ear 2 drops of the drug three times a day.
Otolaryngologists do not recommend resorting to self-treatment without an accurate diagnosis. Warming up the ears can cause complications in the presence of bacterial flora in the foci.
