Allergies And Dizziness: The Cause And The Treatment
If youre feeling dizzy, you might be wondering whats causing it. Dehydration, medications, and a variety of conditions can cause you to feel dizzy and nauseated.
While dizziness might seem like a mild condition, it can actually be very disruptive to daily life. It can even be so severe that it leaves you stuck in bed for hours or days.
Dizziness can sometimes be caused by allergies.
An allergy is the immune systems response to a foreign substance thats not typically harmful to your body. These foreign substances are called allergens. They may include certain foods, pollen, or pet dander.
Allergy-related nasal and sinus congestion can lead to dizziness or a more severe type of dizziness called vertigo.
Tips For Relieving Ear Pressure
Ear pressure refers to a feeling of fullness in the ears. This sensation is the result of the Eustachian tubes which help drain fluids from the middle ear as well as regulate air pressure malfunction or become blocked. Ear pressure is rarely the sign of anything serious, but it can still be unpleasant to deal with. Below we outline common causes of ear pressure and how to find relief.
How To Deal With A Blocked Ear
by Gomer Hearing Center | May 22, 2019 | Hearing Loss Articles
You try swallowing hard and yawning but to no avail, your ears are clogged and you cant do anything about it. Youve tried popping your ear, chewing gum, or trying to open your ear canal with your finger. Hoping your ears will simply clear up by themselves, eventually, you might just stop trying. And honestly, you wouldnt be incorrect to try waiting a little bit to see if the situation clears up on its own unless, of course, you have soreness, discharge, or other symptoms of an infection.
A little passageway that connects the middle ear to the place behind the nose and controls the pressure that goes the ears, called the eustachian tube, will get plugged if it remains open or closed for too long. You may hear a crackling or popping noise in your ears as this tube closes and opens when you swallow or yawn. Normal hormonal changes cause the ear to stay open and viruses or ear infections will cause the ear to remain closed. Both issues will clear up over time, but it could take quite a long time for your ears to return to normal.
Blocked ears can also be caused by a buildup of earwax. Ear treatment can clear this type of blockage, depending on the seriousness, this can be at home or at the hearing specialist. Here are a few guidelines when dealing with plugged ears:
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If Youre Experiencing Ear Pain It May Be Allergies
If youre experiencing itchy, watery eyes, congestion, runny nose, sneezing or sore throat, you have your allergies to thank. Another symptom you can add to the list is ear pain, which may be the result of inflammation or infection caused by allergies. Below we review what causes allergy symptoms, the types of ear pain associated with allergies and how to seek treatment.
How To Relieve Sinus Pain & Pressure: 13 Tips From An Ent Doctor
Dr. Menachof, MD, has specialized in conditions around the head, throat, ear, nose, neck and face for over 20 years, and was the first to bring sublingual allergy drops to Colorado in 2005. He has been recognized as a Fellow by multiple academies, named one of Americas Top Facial Plastic Surgeons continually since 2003 and is featured in multiple national publications.
Sinus pain and pressure can make you feel like your head is about to explode. Experiencing this pressure on a regular basis can be frustrating and even limit your daily lifestyle. Most causes of sinus pain, such as sinusitis, will resolve themselves within seven to ten days, but those with symptoms for any longer should consider getting help from an Ear, Nose and Throat expert.
Rest assured, there are a variety of prescription and at-home remedies that can help relieve your sinus pain and pressure. Dr. Michael Menachof, a leading ENT specialist, has created a list of 13 ways to help alleviate your painful sinuses and head pressure.
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What To Do If Your Ears Wont Pop And You Feel Constant Pressure
Typically, clogged ears will ease up within a few days. If you have a head cold, COVID-19, or allergies, symptoms may last a little longer. But if clogged ears continue beyond a few weeks, it may be time to see a healthcare professional about your treatment options.
For newly clogged ears, try chewing gum, yawning, and swallowing. If you have nasal or sinus congestion, an over-the-counter decongestant or steroid nasal spray may help .
You should see a healthcare professional sooner if you have any of the following symptoms:
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Problems with balance or vertigo
Allergies And Your Ears
Allergies affect one infive peoplein the U.S. These allergies can take many forms and affectvarious parts of the body, including the ears. If you regularly experience eardiscomfort or hearing problems, allergies could play a role in your distress.
Thankfully, you can do something about your allergy-relatedear issues once you understand why they occur and how to get the properdiagnosis and treatment. Get started by examining these frequently asked earallergy questions and their answers.
Why Would an Allergy Affect Your Ears?
Allergies occur when your immune system responds to anormally harmless substance as if it posed a legitimate threat to your health.It reacts by sending out antibodies to attack the substance while alsoproducing a chemical called histamine.
Histamine triggers sinuses to produce excess mucus, whichmay then run down the Eustachian tubes, producing both ear discomfort andthroat irritation. At the same time, tissue swelling may prevent fluiddrainage, causing congestion. Since the ear canals connect to the Eustachiantubes, you may experience ear symptoms.
If you suffer from the ailment commonly known as hay fever, you may have ear problems every time the seasons changeand the air fills with mold spores, tree pollen, or grass pollen. Constant exposureto year-round airborne allergens can leave you with chronic ear trouble.
What Ear Symptoms Can Allergies Cause?
How Do Ear Allergies Contribute to Other Ear Disorders?
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How Are Your Ears Affected
Our ears are made up of three parts the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Allergic reactions can cause the outer ear to itch or swell. The middle ear contains the Eustachian tube, which acts as a drainage tube of sorts. When mucus clogs the middle ear it affects that drainage. Pressure builds, which can lead to discomfort, popping in the ears or an earache. Your middle ear may itch as well. The inner ear is filled with fluid, and if this fluid becomes infected, you may suffer dizziness, ringing in the ear or loss of balance.
Sometimes a stuffy nose and sinus pressure can radiate to the ears, causing pressure or earaches.
Some people experience a short-term hearing loss due to an allergic reaction. This is known as conductive hearing loss and usually is temporary and resolves itself when the allergies subside.
Young children commonly experience middle ear infections, which may be triggered by allergies. These infections are known as otitis media. If these occur often, a professional may recommend allergy tests.
Managing Middle Ear Fluid
Most people are aware that middle ear infections are very common in young children. Many pediatrician visits result in treatment for otitis media, which, in children, often presents as glue ear and may be accompanied by pain, fever and reduced hearing. Children are known to be more prone to this condition due to their more horizontal Eustachian tubes and propensity for harvesting infections in general. Pain may increase until the eardrum ruptures from fluid pressure. Over 5 million cases of acute Otitis Media are reported annually in the US.
Adults can find themselves with middle ear fluid as well. This may or may not be associated with an infection. Patients often report their primary physician suspected fluid in the ears. Often the fluid trapped behind adults eardrums is serous and is typically painless. This may be the result of Eustachian tube dysfunction, in which the middle ear space cannot drain to the throat adequately, often due to congestion in the tube itself. The tympanic membrane is drawn backwards from negative pressure, and yellow watery fluid may be present, having been drawn from the tissues lining the middle ear cavity.
Symptoms most seen in adults include drainage, ear pain, recent decrease in hearing, ear fullness sensations, recent dizziness or balance difficulty, fever , and even pain, especially in children. It should be correctly diagnosed and treated swiftly.
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Middle And External Ear Infections
A middle ear infection can cause ear congestion, as well as dizziness, ear pain, and occasionally fluid drainage. Theyre usually caused by colds or other respiratory problems that travel to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.
External ear infections, also known as swimmers ear, are usually caused by water that remains in your ear after swimming or bathing, providing an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. You may experience pain, itching, redness, and clear fluid drainage or a discharge of pus.
Ear infections often resolve without treatment. Over-the-counter ear drops and pain medication can help relieve your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or last more than two days, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Why Do You Feel Pressure In Your Ears
You feel ear pressure when the pressure in your middle ear is different from the pressure in the outside environment. It can also be described as a feeling of discomfort, stuffiness, or fullness.
Small tubes called eustachian tubes regulate the pressure in your middle ear. You have one eustachian tube on each side of your head. They start in the middle ear and end in the area where your nasal cavity and upper throat meet.
Normally, the eustachian tubes open when you do things like swallow or yawn. This naturally equalizes the pressure in your middle ear.
If the eustachian tubes become narrowed or blocked due to a disease or condition, you may feel ear pressure that doesnt go away naturally.
Here are explanations for some of the more common causes of ear pressure:
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Why Do You Have An Allergic Reaction
When a foreign substance, such as pollen. causes hypersensitivity, your immune system responds by producing antibodies that release histamine. Histamines cause itching, mucus and sometimes swelling. Allergies can occur year-round, but for many people pollen and grass allergies are more likely to occur in the spring or fall.
What Causes Allergy Symptoms
The immune systems job is to protect your body from diseases, viruses and infections. But for people with allergies, the immune system mistakes harmless substances, known as allergens, like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold and certain foods as dangerous intruders and attacks.
To fight the intruder, the immune system releases antibodies called Immunoglobulin E , which causes your cells to release histamine. Histamine increases mucus production and causes inflammation. In short, its this chemical thats responsible for your allergy symptoms.
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How To Cope With Stuffy Ears
Clogged ears can have several causes this time of year it’s likely allergy-related. Over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants might help relieve the problem of excess fluid if it is caused by allergies. Some other remedies that can reduce fluid build-up include exercising, eating a low-sodium diet, or eating fruits and vegetables that act as diureticsgrapes, watermelon, celery, bell peppers and asparagus all offer health benefits that include reducing fluid retention.
Since continuous pressure in the middle ear could result in permanent hearing loss, if you are experiencing any changes in hearing be sure to see a hearing healthcare professional or otolaryngologist to make sure the problem isnt something more serious.
The excess fluid build-up as a result of allergies, barometric pressure changes or inner ear conditions can not only cause a feeling of fullness or pressure, but can also cause conductive hearing loss as a result of sound being prevented from traveling to the cochlea. Another risk of excessive fluid build-up when the Eustachian tubes arent functioning properly is ear infections the increased fluid provides an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.
Tips And Precautions For Using Tea Tree Oil:
- Always dilute tea tree oil before use, otherwise it may cause irritation, discomfort, and swelling of skin or mucous membranes.
- Dilute with olive oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, or water, and make sure your solutions contain 3% or less of tea tree oil.
- If your ear infection lasts more than 48 hours, or if it becomes severely painful and comes with a fever, consult a doctor immediately.
- If you experience unexpected or severe side effects, stop using tea tree oil and contact a doctor right away.
- When consumed by mouth undiluted, tea tree oil can cause confusion, unsteadiness, rash, and even coma.
- Pregnant women should avoid using tea tree oil.
Have you tried any of these methods for using tea tree oil to cure ear infection? Which ones worked best for you? Share your experience with us!
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What Causes Sinus Pain And Pressure
There are several different conditions or causes that may be the source of your sinus pressure and pain. Sinus infections are the most common cause of intense sinus pain, but other causes and contributing factors include allergies, nasal polyps, deviated septum, and respiratory infections.
When your sinuses are affected by one of the triggers above, the nasal and sinus passages can become swollen and filled with fluid. This fluid has difficulty draining when the sinuses are inflamed, which causes the pressure and often pain that many suffer from. If this inflammation and fluid build-up continues, bacteria can develop and cause a sinus infection, or sinusitis.
Sinus infections can be acute, meaning they last for a shorter length of time and usually heal within the expected seven to ten days. When sinus infections last or recur for several months on end, this is called chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis usually means there is an underlying root cause that needs to be addressed, such as allergies or deviated septum.
Why Do Your Ears Feel Blocked When Youre Sick With Something Like A Cold Or Flu
Your ears, nose, and throat link up via tiny canals called eustachian tubes1. These tubes, located on each side of your head, start in the middle of your ear and end at the back of your nose and upper throat, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine .
These tubes open and close regularly to adjust the air pressure in your middle ear, remove natural fluids from your middle ear, and circulate new air inside your ear, according to the Mayo Clinic. When youre dealing with something like a respiratory infection, which includes things like the common cold,2 flu, or COVID-19, your eustachian tube openings can become partially blocked due to tissue inflammation and mucus secretions, Dr. Woodworth says.
This blockage can interfere with the normal functioning of the tubes, leading to a pressure imbalance, Anthony Del Signore, MD, director of rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery at Mount Sinai Union Square in New York City, tells SELF. When the eustachian tubes are partially blocked, its harder for those middle ear secretions to flow down the back of your throat , which can make your ear feel clogged.
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Infection And Other Complications
If an infection develops, a person may experience intense itching and increasing pain. The ear may become too painful to touch. A person may also experience fluid drainage or a discharge of pus. A severe infection may lead to fever, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, and pain in the face, neck, or side of the head.
Complications of swimmers ear may include temporary hearing difficulties and pain. Rare complications include long-term infection, deep tissue infection, bone and cartilage damage, and infection that spreads to the brain or nerves.
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Why Is Sinus Pressure In The Ears So Painful
When experiencing pain and pressure in the ears caused by sinus congestion, there are many questions that may cross your mind. How do I make it go away? The cause of the pain in your ears is usually due to sinus pressure. This is because sinus congestion and stuffiness can affect the pressure in your ears. The pressure in your sinuses affects more than just your nose. It can also cause pain in your ears, dizziness, and the feeling that your ears feel stuffed up or clogged. The good news is, there are several remedies to bring you relief.
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Stuffiness Ear Discomfort And Sinus Pain
Get moisture. Use a nasal saline spray several times a day, or hold a warm, moist washcloth to your face. This can ease the pressure and pain.
Humidifiers will also help keep your sinuses from drying out. Or you can sit in the bathroom with a hot shower running for 15 minutes to curb pain.
Check the medicine cabinet. Try an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen, to ease an earache or pain from sinus pressure.
Try a . Over-the-counter tablets or nasal sprays can ease sinus blockage which in turn can relieve clogged ears. But don’t use nasal decongestant sprays for more than 3 days, or you will rebound⦠meaning the more you use it the more you need it because youâre congested.
Avoid extreme temperatures. They can make sinus-related ear problems worse. If your ears bother you, it isnât the time to go jogging on a hot day or build a snow fort with the kids.
Keep your head up. If you bend forward with your head down, it can make the pressure worse. Youâll want to skip yoga class until the sinus problem is over.
Blow your nose gently. Block one nostril while you blow through the other.
Drink plenty of fluids. Down lots of water in the evening. When you stay hydrated, it keeps nasal mucus thin. That helps it drain and means less nighttime stuffiness.
