The Eustachian tube is also called the Eustachian tube. Obstruction of the Eustachian tube usually occurs due to some kind of allergy, sinusitis, or colds. It may be cured by medication, but in the case of chronic Eustachian tube blockage, treatment requires surgical intervention.
In this article, learn about the causes of Eustachian tube blockage, symptoms, and the latest methods of treating Eustachian tube blockage in Turkey.
The Eustachian tube (Eustachian tube) runs between the ears and the throat. This canal maintains a stable and balanced air pressure in the ears.
Blockage of the Eustachian tubes, causing a change in air pressure in the ears. The blockage leads to a collection of mucus formed from the common cold, which causes ear pain and impaired hearing capabilities.
A rapid change in air pressure can cause the eustachian tubes to become blocked. This may happen when the plane's altitude changes or when the diver rises or falls underwater.
More than 1 million people worldwide have a eustachian tube obstruction. Eustachian tube obstruction often resolves on its own or after treatment with antibiotics. But if the eustachian tube is still blocked, surgery may be needed.
Who is most likely to have a blocked Eustachian tube?
People who smoke are at increased risk of eustachian tube blockage because smoking damages the cilia — tiny hairs that line the middle ear and help clear mucus toward the throat.
People who are obese are also at greater risk of developing duct obstruction due to fatty deposits that can form around the eustachian tubes, leading to duct obstruction.
Allergies and chronic sinusitis are also risk factors because they cause obstruction of the duct, where the mucous tissues in the duct swell due to allergies and thus obstruct the passage of mucus into the throat.
Nasal polyps, cleft palate, or a tumor may increase the risk of eustachian tube obstruction by up to 80%. There is no increased risk of eustachian tube obstruction based on gender or ethnicity.
What are the complications of eustachian tube obstruction?
In severe cases, blockage of the Eustachian tube may lead to:
- Inflammation of the middle ear chronic;
- Otitis media with effusion, or "sticky ear," is a buildup of fluid in the middle ear that can last for weeks and can damage hearing.
- Inward retraction of the eardrum, when the eardrum appears to be sucked in further into the ear canal.
Most cases of Eustachian tube dysfunction and blockage go away within a few days with the help of over-the-counter medications and home remedies, but symptoms can last 1-2 weeks. If symptoms last longer, get worse, or seem recurrent, you should see a doctor.
What are the symptoms of eustachian tube obstruction?
A buildup of mucus in the ear causes symptoms, which are often mild and limited to a few days due to a cold or the flu. If it persists for more than two weeks, recurs frequently, or is severe, see a specialist. We mention some of them:
- clogged or full ears
- Itching - pain - ringing or crackling in the ear
- Balance problem may occur
- The sound is muffled
How is Eustachian tube obstruction diagnosed in Turkey?
Your doctor will ask you how you're feeling and will carefully examine your ear canals, eardrum, nose and throat for signs of inflammation and mucus buildup. A recent infection with the flu, common cold, or sinus infection is often enough to diagnose Eustachian tube blockage. If symptoms persist, recur, or worsen, your doctor may want to check for other problems that may be causing the pain, ear fullness, and auditory changes. Tests may include:
Valsva maneuver
Closing the nose and mouth and trying to exhale through the nose can sometimes help relieve a blocked duct if the problem is caused by a change in air pressure.
audiogram
This test measures hearing abilities. You will hear sounds sent by the audiologist and press a button to indicate when you hear something that the audiologist determines how blockage in the eustachian tube affects hearing.
tympanic membrane movement planning
This procedure measures pressure behind the eardrum by inserting a manometer probe into the auditory canal. The instrument generates different pressures and pure pitch, and measures the drum's responses to sound at different pressures.
nasopharyngoscopy
This involves inserting a small, flexible camera into the nose, so that the doctor can see the openings of the duct.
CT scan
X-rays can provide a detailed look at the inner and middle ear. Depending on the results of the evaluations above — or if the condition persists for more than three months and conservative treatment fails — your doctor may recommend a eustachian tube dilation.
What is the treatment of eustachian tube obstruction in Turkey?
Ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists offer a wide range of Eustachian tube blockage treatment options depending on the cause of the blockage. Methods for treating blockages range from decongestants to surgery. Team Bimaristan Medical center It helps you to select an appropriate treatment method for each individual patient, and the most effective one that will provide a successful outcome in the long term.
Allergy and nasal congestion treatment
Determining the cause and treatment of nasal allergies may help reduce swelling in the eustachian tube. There are a number of different ways we can treat allergies, and we'll discuss the options together:
- Identify the causes of allergies and avoid them.
- Use of anti-inflammatory drugs inside the nose to reduce inflammation of the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube. We recommend trying anti-inflammatory drugs for two weeks to see if the medication helps.
- Decongestants, which help open a blocked eustachian tube by reducing swelling of the nasal lining. These medicines work immediately and can be taken as needed.
Nasal sprays work well in treating nasal congestion and clear it up directly. However, because the body quickly gets used to the medication, it should not be used for more than three consecutive days only.
Antihistamines reduce the body's inflammatory response to allergens. These medications may be beneficial for some patients and can be taken as needed.
Eustachian tube obstruction with the Valsava maneuver
Closing your nose and “popping” your ear can be an effective way to relieve a blocked Eustachian tube.
The air opens the Eustachian tubes and relieves the severity of obstruction symptoms.
You can also achieve the same result when blowing up balloons. The pressure required to inflate the balloons is usually sufficient to force air into the Eustachian tube and relieve the symptoms of a blocked Eustachian tube. This technique is very useful in treating Eustachian tube obstruction and can be repeated as often as needed.
Don't do this when you have a cold or a cold, as it may push mucus and bacteria into the middle ear and cause an infection.
Surgical treatment of eustachian tube obstruction
The primary goal of surgical treatment is to bypass the role of the Eustachian tube by ventilating the middle ear. Surgery can restore hearing, relieve the feeling of heaviness in the ear, and reduce the possibility of otitis media. Types of surgery include:
tympanoplasty
We make a small incision in the eardrum and suction out any fluid in the middle ear. In adults, the incision is often left open long enough to allow swelling in the lining of the Eustachian tube to subside. After the eardrum has healed (usually within one to three days), fluid in the middle ear may begin to build up again if the lining of the Eustachian tube has not recovered. In the event that it does not heal, we may resort totympanoplasty.
ventilation tubes
During this procedure we will: Make an incision in the eardrum and suck out any fluid in the middle ear A small hollow tube made of plastic or metal will be inserted into the eardrum. Over time, the tube is pushed out as the tympanic membrane heals. The benefit may last for six to 12 months. Often, the Eustachian tubes have healed by this time, and the tubes won't need to be replaced. However, if you have a chronic condition, we can use longer lasting tubes. For adults, the procedure takes about five minutes and can be done in the office with a local anesthetic. In children, we will use a mild general anesthetic.
How is the ventilator tubes used to treat Eustachian tube obstruction taken care of?
It is important to keep water out of your ears; this means:
- Earplugs or a cotton ball dipped in Vaseline should be used while showering.
- Wear earplugs that fit your ear when you go swimming.
Water entering the auditory canal can carry bacteria through the tube into the middle ear and cause inflammation. This is called purulent drainage (white, green or yellow pus) from the ear. We treat this type of infection with antibiotic drops. The other risk of tympanoplasty or ventilation is that the incision may not heal. This may eventually require surgery (tympanoplasty) to close the hole.
Eustachian tube balloon
The Eustachian tube balloon is the latest method of treating blocked Eustachian tubes, and this technique is now available in Turkey.
This balloon helps restore ductal function and relieve symptoms of obstruction. The XprESS™ ENT Dilation System provides safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment for people with Eustachian tube obstruction.
During this procedure, your doctor will insert a small balloon through your nose into the eustachian tube. Then the balloon is gently inflated, and after treatment and expansion of the duct and removal of the purulent fluid, if any, the balloon is removed. The operation is performed under the influence of local anesthesia.
What is the relationship of eustachian tube obstruction to flight?
Individuals with eustachian tube obstruction may have difficulty balancing the pressures in the middle ear when flying.
When traveling by plane, the ears are subject to large fluctuations in atmospheric pressure.
Because when the plane ascends, the cabin air pressure drops and relative positive pressure builds up in the middle ears. For most people, this pressure is easily relieved by the Eustachian tube. Thus, the pressures of the middle ear and the cabin air balance out on either side of the tympanic membrane (about 6,000 feet above sea level).
Pressure balancing during descent is more difficult. The cabin air pressure gradually increases when descending. Consequently, relative negative pressure develops in the middle ear leading to blockage of the Eustachian tube. In these cases, yawning, swallowing, chewing gum, or trying to “pop” the ears help the Eustachian tube open at some point.
Most adults can fly without difficulty unless they have an illness that has temporarily swollen the lining of the Eustachian tube and narrowed its passage. Some adults have very mild Eustachian tube blockage and only show symptoms when they fly.
Prevention of Eustachian tube blockage during flight
Valsva maneuver periodically
The Eustachian tube is normally closed except when swallowing or yawning. Get chewing gum, hard candy, or liquid refreshments to help with frequent swallowing as the plane descends. Do not sleep during the last part of the trip because you will wake up with ear pain and a blocked Eustachian tube.
decongestants
Decongestants help reduce swelling in the lining of the Eustachian tube. These medicines should be taken so that their maximum effectiveness is within the last hour of the flight. In general, oral decongestants should be taken 2 to 3 hours before expected arrival time while nasal sprays should be used approximately 1 hour prior to arrival.
Avoid flying when you have a cold, flu or allergic rhinitis
Ventilation tubes
The ventilation tube helps the Eustachian tube to equalize ear pressure.
Although the risks of ear infection and perforation of the eardrum must be weighed against this benefit.
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