For the past 4 days, my ears feel like I'm in an airplane - all plugged up. If I pinch my nose and blow, they clear out but only for a couple minutes before sealing up again. Pretty much just like on a plane. My doctor told me today (after determing there is no infection) that swimmers are prone to problems with the eustachian tubes and that there's not much that can be done about it. He suggested wearing ear plugs while swimming, though I'm skeptical that is going to help. Anybody else have experience with this problem? It's REALLY annoying. I never get ear infections (not since I was about 10, anyway) and I use Swim-Ear always after swimming to dry out my ears. It really seems to have nothing to do with water in the ears, just this sudden inability to balance the pressure.
Allergies would be a great diagnosis IF ear infection has been ruled out along with water in the ear. I see lots of people with allergies that manifest themselves with the symptom of my head is in a barrel.
Questions to ask yourself:
Have you had seasonal symptoms before?
Are you getting older? Allergies increase as we get older.
Do you have an unexplained running nose, headache, sneezing, dizzyness, or post nasal drip, stopped up head?
Was this a sudden onset?
Do you have this problem every year at the same time? Plants come out about the same time each year.
If so do the following:
Try to take an antihistamine and decongestant to start. I like Clariten and Sudafed. It will take several days for this to take effect. In addition a warm cloth ( dont burn yourself) placed below the ear lobe on your neck will also help the fluid to move out of your ear canal. You should see an improvement shortly and as your head feels better you can stop the Sudafed. I do not like to recommend the Sudafed for more than a few days at a time because of HBP. If the above does not clear up the problem you might talk with your doctor about adding Flonase for additional help.
If it turns out to be an allergy next year start two weeks before you have your trouble taking Claritin. If you start early you can avoid the Sudafed.
Have a great day
Paul
Allergies would be a great diagnosis IF ear infection has been ruled out along with water in the ear. I see lots of people with allergies that manifest themselves with the symptom of my head is in a barrel.
Questions to ask yourself:
Have you had seasonal symptoms before?
Are you getting older? Allergies increase as we get older.
Do you have an unexplained running nose, headache, sneezing, dizzyness, or post nasal drip, stopped up head?
Was this a sudden onset?
Do you have this problem every year at the same time? Plants come out about the same time each year.
If so do the following:
Try to take an antihistamine and decongestant to start. I like Clariten and Sudafed. It will take several days for this to take effect. In addition a warm cloth ( dont burn yourself) placed below the ear lobe on your neck will also help the fluid to move out of your ear canal. You should see an improvement shortly and as your head feels better you can stop the Sudafed. I do not like to recommend the Sudafed for more than a few days at a time because of HBP. If the above does not clear up the problem you might talk with your doctor about adding Flonase for additional help.
If it turns out to be an allergy next year start two weeks before you have your trouble taking Claritin. If you start early you can avoid the Sudafed.
Have a great day
Paul
