Ear congestion during pregnancy is a symptom that signals the occurrence of physiological and pathological changes in the body. As a rule, discomfort occurs in the first and second trimester of pregnancy and is largely due to hormonal imbalance. The rapid restructuring of the body, coupled with a change in physiological processes, affects blood pressure, immunity and blood microcirculation in the main parts of the hearing organ.
During gestation, changes are observed in the female body, entailing an increase in hydrostatic pressure in the cells (turgor). It is for this reason that many pregnant women complain of swelling of the limbs and mucous membranes in the ENT organs. This inevitably leads to a difference in external and internal pressure on the eardrum, which becomes the cause of ear congestion.
Ear anatomy
Why does ears clog up during pregnancy? To answer the question, you need to understand the structural features of the human ear, which consists of three main sections:
- ear labyrinth (semicircular canals, vestibule, cochlea);
- middle ear (tympanic cavity, eustachian tube, auditory ossicles);
- the outer ear (external auditory canal and ear membrane).
The tympanic cavity is separated from the external auditory canal by an airtight ear membrane. She takes part in amplifying the sound signals entering the auditory analyzer. Normal functioning of the membrane is possible only in the case of equal pressure on it from the outer and middle ear.
Equalization of pressure on the eardrum is provided by the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. During swallowing or yawning, the muscles responsible for opening the mouth of the auditory tube contract. With swelling of the mucous membrane in the nasopharynx, the auditory canal is blocked, which leads to a violation of its aeration function. As a result, a vacuum is created in the middle ear cavity, as a result of which atmospheric pressure presses on the ear membrane, which leads to its stretching. Thus, a person experiences discomfort associated with a feeling of congestion in the ears.
Etiology
Experts note an interesting fact: during gestation, most women complain of discomfort in the right ear. Why do pregnant women get stuffy ears? According to doctors, the occurrence of an unpleasant symptom is most often due to the following reasons:
- hypotension;
- Iron-deficiency anemia;
- impaired blood circulation;
- hypertension;
- reduced reactivity of the immune system;
- hormonal imbalance;
- overweight;
- hypodynamia.
Important! A congestion in the ear can be a sign of an ear pathology leading to the development of hearing loss. If a problem arises, it is advisable to undergo an examination by an otolaryngologist.
Hearing loss associated with ear congestion does not always occur during pregnancy. Experts do not exclude the likelihood of ear pathologies as a result of more serious systemic disorders.
Hormonal imbalance
Discomfort in the ear during gestation most often occurs due to hormonal changes in the body. Due to the intensive development of the fetus and the formation of the placenta, the secretion of estrogen and progesterone increases. Female hormones affect the rate of excretion of excess fluid from the body, which leads to an increase in cellular turgor and swelling of the mucous membranes.
Swelling of the nasopharynx leads to blockage of the mouth of the auditory tube and the development of vasomotor rhinitis. If the ears are blocked during pregnancy, this indicates an increase in the pressure difference in the middle and outer ear. As a result, the ear membrane protrudes into the tympanic cavity, which leads to its stretching. When the sound signal passes, the membrane practically does not experience vibrations, as a result of which a feeling of congestion arises.
Pressure surges
If the ear is blocked during pregnancy, this may signal a surge in blood pressure. At about 13 weeks of fetal development, the volume of circulating blood in a woman's body increases 3 times. This puts additional stress on the detoxification organs. Physiological changes lead to high blood pressure, which can stretch the walls of blood vessels.
Hypertension is one of the key causes of hearing discomfort. Due to the increase in pressure, vascular permeability increases, which inevitably leads to tissue edema. The inner diameter of the auditory tube, which is responsible for ventilation of the middle ear, is only 2 mm. A decrease in its lumen leads to the formation of a vacuum in the tympanic cavity.
In about 30% of women at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, specialists diagnose arterial hypotension (hypotension). As a rule, it is asymptomatic, but in the case of a decrease in organ perfusion, ear congestion may become a manifestation of pathology. The development of hypotension is associated with the production of a hormone that suppresses the activity of the pituitary gland. At the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy, the placenta begins to produce hormones that help to reduce the amount of pressor substances in the body that affect blood pressure.
Decreased immunity
The reason for the uncomfortable sensations in the ears can be a reduced reactivity of the body. According to doctors, weakening of the immune system is a "forced measure" necessary for the normal development of the fetus. This significantly reduces the risk of rejection of a fertilized egg, subsequently leading to miscarriage or premature birth.
During egg implantation, the level of the hCG glycoprotein increases in the blood, which contributes to the deactivation of protective cells, which reduces the risk of fetal rejection. Thus, the body's resistance is sharply reduced, which is the main reason for the emergence of pathogenic flora in the ENT organs.
Malfunctions of the immune system contribute to the development of infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, which include:
pharyngitis;- sinusitis;
- laryngitis;
- bronchitis;
- tonsillitis;
- rhinitis;
- tracheitis;
- pneumonia;
- sinusitis.
pharyngitis;With the progression of most of the above pathologies, inflammation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa is observed. In addition, reduced body resistance leads to the development of ear pathologies such as tubo-otitis, otitis media, labyrinthitis, etc. If the ears are blocked during pregnancy due to the development of an infectious disease, treatment is carried out in a hospital.
Features of therapy
The principles of eliminating a pathological condition are largely determined by the reasons that provoked the onset of discomfort in the ears. You can stop an unpleasant symptom during pregnancy as follows:
- drug therapy - helps to eliminate swelling in the mucous epithelium and foci of inflammation arising from infectious lesions of the ENT organs. Treatment of ENT diseases during gestation involves the use of medications with a minimal ototoxic effect;
- physiotherapy - normalizes blood circulation in the organ of hearing and pressure on the ear membrane. To relieve the feeling of congestion, blowing according to Politzer, electrocoagulation, magnetotherapy, etc .;
- surgical treatment - used to eliminate tumors, abscesses and granulations in the organ of hearing, leading to the occurrence of audiological disorders.
Do not self-medicate during pregnancy. Inappropriate use of antibiotics, cytostatics and vasoconstrictors can cause abnormal fetal development.
Special exercises
If the ear is blocked during pregnancy, what should I do? In cases where discomfort is caused by air travel, a sudden change in body position or a trip in transport, you can use simple exercises to restore normal pressure on the membrane:
- press the wings of the nose against the cartilaginous septum and, closing the mouth, try to exhale through the nose;
- pinch your nose with your fingers and make a few swallowing movements; pressing your palms tightly to your ears, pull them sharply;
- closing your mouth and nose, make movements with your lower jaw: back and forth.
The success of the manipulation can be determined by clicking in the ear. However, it should be borne in mind that a sharp blowing of air through the nose can lead to barotrauma and damage to the ear membrane. In the absence of a positive result, experts advise chewing gum or drinking water for a while. During swallowing, the mouth of the Eustachian tube should expand, as a result of which pressure in the tympanic cavity will be restored.
