Eustachiitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the auditory tube that connects the middle ear cavity with the nasopharynx. If untreated, the disease can lead to the development of catarrhal otitis media and other complications. So what are the main symptoms of eustachitis?
What is eustachitis?
As already mentioned, this disease is accompanied by inflammation of the so-called Eustachian tube. It is worth noting that it is thanks to the existence of this channel that the pressure between the external environment and the cavity of the middle ear is balanced.
Before you find out what are the symptoms of eustachitis, it is worthwhile to understand the main causes of the disease. In fact, most often the inflammatory process is the result of infection of the canal with viruses, bacteria or fungal microorganisms. In particular, eustachitis often develops against the background of acute respiratory viral infections, pharyngitis, rhinitis, scarlet fever, tonsillitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In some cases, inflammation is the result of an intense allergic reaction.
The main symptoms of eustachitis
Most often, the inflammatory process is accompanied by obvious signs. Since the narrowing of the channel leads to pressure drops, with eustachitis often there is a periodic occurrence of pain caused by changes in atmospheric parameters. Some patients notice that when you tilt your head to the side, you can hear the sounds of iridescent fluid in your ear.
Severe congestion, heaviness in the head, sudden noises, hearing loss are all symptoms of eustachitis. Quite often, the disease is accompanied by autophony, in this state a person feels the resonance of his own voice in the ear.
Interestingly, congestion disappears during yawning or swallowing, as these processes lead to the contraction of certain muscles, resulting in a temporary expansion of the auditory canal.
Chronic eustachitis: causes and symptoms
Most often, the chronic form of the disease is the result of a lack of treatment for acute inflammation. In some cases, the disease is primary. Indeed, this kind of inflammation often develops in the presence of, for example, chronic tonsillitis. Risk factors include curvature of the nasal septum, the presence of adenoids or benign neoplasms in the pharynx and nasal cavity.
Patients complain of constant congestion in the ear, heaviness and a feeling of fullness. It is worth noting that chronic inflammation leads to a pathological narrowing of the auditory tube and retraction of the eardrum.
How is eustachitis treated?
It is immediately worth noting that only a doctor knows what eustachitis looks like, symptoms, treatment of the disease can only be determined by him. And therapy, of course, depends on the origin of the disease. In the presence of a bacterial infection, antibiotics are used, the viral form of the disease is treated with immunomodulating agents.
In addition, patients are prescribed antihistamines, which help relieve swelling of the mucous membrane and relieve congestion. For this purpose, Suprastin, Claritin, Tavegil and other medicines are used. It is necessary to use special drops for the nose ("Sanorin", "Naphthyzin").
In any case, getting rid of the acute form of the disease is much easier than eliminating chronic inflammation. That is why, when the first symptoms appear, you need to see a doctor.