Every adult has faced an unpleasant situation at least once in his life, when his ear is stuffed up and shoots pain in him so that he can climb on the wall. The causes of such symptoms are most often inflammatory diseases. In order not to start the process even deeper, you need to immediately contact a doctor otolaryngologist.
How is the ear arranged?
The auditory analyzer, like all human senses, has a complex structure. It consists of the outer, middle and inner ear.
The outer ear in the form of an auricle is only the very beginning of the sound path. Due to its structure, the auricle performs a protective function, helping the auditory organ to be less affected by the environment, weather conditions and other factors. The auditory canal also extends to the outer ear, extending inward to the eardrum.
The middle ear continues into the tympanic cavity, separated from the outer membrane by the handle of the malleus, the first auditory ossicle. Following the hammer in a chain are a stirrup and anvil. The names of the auditory ossicles come from the fact that they have a very similar appearance with objects of the same name. A sound wave passes through them from the eardrum, conducting sound into the inner ear, which begins with an oval window, where the base of the stapes enters.
The inner ear is the most complex in structure and performs the function of not only the auditory analyzer, but also the organ of balance. The membranous labyrinth, consisting of a cochlea and semicircular canals, is hidden in the temporal bone of the skull, which protects the inner ear from damage and cold.
Why did the ear lay and shoot?
Despite the fact that the hearing organ is protected by the auricle, it is very sensitive to weather and infections. Therefore, the most common cause of discomfort, including when it painfully shoots in the ear, is inflammation.
- External otitis media is inflammation of the auricle and / or auditory canal. Infection leads to the fact that it shoots and pricks in the ears, and it has blocked the ears because a large amount of pus in the ear canal prevents the sound from reaching the tympanum in full.
- Otitis media is a more formidable pathology affecting the middle ear with the auditory ossicles located there. It can be caused by bacteria, as well as influenza viruses, measles. Chronic nasopharyngeal infection and hypothermia can contribute to inflammation in the ear. In this case, it shoots in the ear, and the temperature can reach febrile numbers.
- Internal otitis media or labyrinthitis is an inflammatory process in the deepest part of the ear analyzer. It is dangerous not only with hearing impairment, up to deafness, but also with imbalance and coordination of movements.
- A foreign body in the ear, especially a sharp object, can make the ear hurt, shoot, and block it due to blockage of the ear canal.
- Traumatic damage to the organ of hearing can occur from a direct blow to the ear or when it falls on it, as well as with barotrauma associated with a change in pressure, sound injury.
- Inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx, especially tonsillitis, can spread to the auditory tube, which leads directly to the middle ear. The pain with eustachitis shoots in the ear, and it was blocked by a violation of the patency of the Eustachian tube, which leads to a pressure drop in the tympanic cavity.
- Rhinosinusitis is an infectious and inflammatory problem in the nose and sinuses. If the inflammation proceeds further to the ears, then in addition to the fact that the nose is stuffed up and shoots in the ear, hearing loss may be observed.
- Trigeminal neuritis that occurs with hypothermia, nervous exhaustion, exacerbation of chronic diseases of ENT organs or teeth. Pain in the ear, shooting to the head, as well as radiating to the cheeks and eyebrows, is observed quite often.
The occurrence and symptoms of otitis media
Inflammation of the middle ear is the most common reason why the ear is stuffy, shoots and hurts. The factors provoking the development of the disease are hypothermia of the whole body, being outdoors without a hat in the cold season, chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis, rhinosinusitis, untreated external otitis media, adenoiditis in children, diseased teeth, and a general decrease in the body's immune defense. Under the influence of these reasons, pathogenic bacteria and viruses are able to capture the middle ear, which leads to otitis media. The process can take place in the acute stage, which in the absence of proper treatment becomes chronic.
Otitis manifests itself with unpleasant sensations, as if the ear was laying and shooting. Such pain may be against the background of bursting constant pain of varying intensity. An increase in body temperature to 39 degrees, weakness, muscle aches, sweating, loss of appetite, headache - these are all symptoms of the inflammatory process. Hearing loss is associated with inflammatory changes affecting the eardrum and can lead to damage, that is, perforation. Also, serous or purulent fluid that accumulates in the tympanic cavity due to the action of infectious agents complicates the work of the auditory ossicles and the sound. If the pus does not go away under the influence of drugs, then sometimes you have to pierce the membrane in sterile conditions to ensure the outflow of fluid from the middle ear.
Ear congestion clinic
Many people behave abnormally when laying their ears. What to do depends on the causes of congestion, as well as other symptoms.
If congestion is observed without pain, catarrhal phenomena and fever, most likely, a sulfuric plug appeared in the ear canal.
If it lays ears and head, the causes may be in vascular disorders associated with increased blood pressure, vegetative-vascular dystonia, age-related atherosclerotic problems.
Such a pathological hearing loss is observed with barotrauma, as well as acoustic damage to the eardrum associated with an unbearably loud sound.
Otosclerosis, which occurs against the background of adverse noise and toxic effects, is characterized by hearing loss, noise and stuffiness in the ears and often develops in young women.
Feeling of laying can occur in healthy people, for example, in an airplane during take-off and landing. If the ear is blocked in the airplane, you can ask the stewardess how to relieve congestion. For such cases, they distribute candies, which, when absorbed, increase the amount of saliva in the mouth, which relieves discomfort when swallowed. Knowing this, you can do without sweets, making frequent swallowing movements to balance the pressure in the tympanic cavity.
Complications of the inflammatory process in the ear
Inflammatory processes in the middle ear due to their location are extremely dangerous for the development of complications. Purulent otitis media is able to break through purulent discharge into the mastoid process of the temporal bone adjacent to the ear. In this case, mastoiditis occurs. The pains become pulsating, the skin behind the ear is hot to the touch and reddening, a large swollen swelling may form.
With the further spread of the infection, pus floods a larger area, passing to the labyrinth of the inner ear, as well as the spaces of the neck located between the fascia muscles. If the process goes deep into the skull, an abscess of the brain occurs, which can lead to death. Signs of it are a deterioration in overall well-being - high fever, weakness, severe headache, impaired consciousness and focal symptoms, depending on the area of damage.
Stuffed ear and shoots: what to do?
When shooting pain occurs, hearing loss due to or without fever, it is necessary for the otolaryngologist to appear as soon as possible in order to start treatment on time, without leading to complications and chronicity of the process.
An ENT doctor will perform an otoscopy procedure, that is, an examination of the ear canal and eardrum using an otoscope device. This will assess the condition of the canal, its patency and the integrity of the membrane, the presence or absence of foreign bodies, internal damage.
In case of hearing loss without signs of otitis media, audiometry is prescribed to assess the auditory threshold. The patient with the result of the examination in the form of an audiogram is sent to the audiologist. In addition, tympanometry is often performed, which allows an objective assessment of hearing and pressure without the active participation of the patient.
If you suspect complications of purulent otitis media (abscess, mastoiditis), it is necessary to carry out radiological diagnosis. If the x-ray of the brain does not give a clear picture, then an MRI or computed tomography scan should be performed.
Ultrasound examination of the vessels of the brain will allow you to find out their condition and the impact of pathology on hearing. Consultation with a neurologist and therapist is also necessary if hearing impairment is associated with vascular disease.
All ear diseases should be accompanied by a blood test. A general analysis will show the presence or absence of inflammation. The dynamics of the indicators will help to evaluate the correctness of the therapy.
Bacteriological culture is used in difficult cases in the absence of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy. Excretions from the ear are sown on a special nutrient medium, where they study what colonies of microorganisms have grown and to which drugs they are sensitive, and from which they do not die.
Folk remedies
Home-made folk remedies are actively used for diseases of the ENT organs, when the ear is blocked and it shoots. What to do in order not to harm yourself? First of all, it should be noted that treatment with alternative methods should not remain self-medicated. Contacting a specialist is required.
Putting cotton wool moistened in warm boric alcohol into the ear will help to relieve some of the unpleasant sensations. You can also instill in the ear three drops of this medicine, warmed to room temperature.
Applying a compress to the ear is prohibited. In the absence of temperature, a compress using camphor alcohol is applied around the auricle, making an incision in gauze for the ear. You must remove the napkin no later than four hours from the moment of application, so as not to cause a burn. You can alternate compresses with dry warming dressings.
Ingestion of vitamin herbal teas with lemon will help increase immunity and will quickly cope with the infection. They have anti-inflammatory effect of Ivan-tea, linden, coltsfoot, mint, rose hips, raspberry leaves. From these herbs, individually or in a mixture, you can prepare decoctions and infusions. It is also impossible to abuse herbs, individual sensitivity should be considered.
With sore throat and pharyngitis, when there is an interest in the inflammatory process of the auditory tube, you should carefully rinse your throat. For rinsing with an anti-inflammatory purpose, you can use infusions and decoctions of chamomile, calendula, sage, propolis tincture, eucalyptus.
Treatment
If he shoots and lays his ear, what to treat, the otolaryngologist will prompt after a careful examination of the patient.
In case of otitis media, antibacterial drugs are prescribed:
- Penicillin series ("Amoxicillin").
- Cephalosporins: I generation ("Cephalexin"), II generation ("Cefuroxime"), III generation ("Cefotaxime").
- Macrolides ("Azithromycin").
- Fluoroquinolones (Levofloxacin).
Drops in the ears:
- Sofradex contains antibiotics (gramicidin and framycetin) and the hormone drug dexamethasone, which helps to reduce inflammation and improve regeneration. Hormone is contraindicated in case of damage to the eardrum.
- "Normax" contains the antibiotic norfloxacin from the group of fluoroquinolones.
- Otinum has an anti-inflammatory effect, since choline salicylate (an aspirin derivative) is present in it.
- Otipax is a combination of phenazone and lidocaine, that is, an anti-inflammatory drug plus an anesthetic.
Symptomatic medicines: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain (Diclofenac, Nimesulide, Ketorolac), antipyretic medicines (Aspirin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen), antihistamines (Suprastin, Loratadin "Cetrin") to relieve edema, vasoconstrictor drops ("Xylometazoline", "Naphazoline").
After the acute process subsides and the temperature normalizes, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed: electrophoresis, UHF currents, ultraviolet irradiation, pneumomassage.
Common side effects of drugs
Antibiotics and other medicines used to treat inflammatory infectious processes have a number of undesirable effects.
Amoxicillin may interfere with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
"Azithromycin" often causes headache, discomfort in the abdomen, stool disorders in the form of diarrhea, vomiting, changes in the white blood cell count.
"Cephalexin" can degrade the functioning of the stomach and intestines.
"Cefuroxime" can cause stool, appetite, and an increase in blood levels of liver enzymes.
"Cefotaxime" often affects the work of the gastrointestinal tract, increases transaminases in the blood, which indicates a toxic effect on the liver.
Levofloxacin often causes digestive upsets (diarrhea, nausea).
With prolonged use, Sofradex is able to increase intraocular pressure.
Normax may cause dizziness and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Otinum and Otipax can cause local irritation of the ear canal.
All medicines must be prescribed by a specialist. Self-medication can lead to undesirable consequences, since drugs have contraindications. It should be remembered that there is an allergy to medications, and all of the above funds can cause allergic reactions of various kinds and complexity, up to anaphylactic shock.
Prevention
In order to prevent the occurrence of external otitis media, you must follow the rules of personal hygiene, avoid frostbite, injure your ear with sharp objects, and prevent foreign bodies and insects from getting into your ears.
For the prevention of acute otitis media, its complications and chronicity, it is necessary to carefully and timely treat diseases of the nasopharynx, prevent sinusitis, regularly visit the dentist, getting rid of caries. If the ear is blocked and shoots, it is better not to hesitate and consult a doctor for help.
If a runny nose occurs, one must be very careful, closing each nostril one at a time to prevent injuries to the eardrum.
If otitis media has become chronic, it is necessary to ensure that water does not get into the ears when swimming and swimming. It is better to cover the affected ear with water soaked in oil during water procedures.
Hardening of the body, regular walks in the fresh air, physical education, sports sections, refusal of bad habits, vitaminization due to nutrition, and in winter - intake of vitamin complexes.
When work is associated with pronounced noise, special protective equipment should be used - headphones or ear plugs.
Carefully clean the ears of sulfur accumulated there. If it accumulates quickly, then clean the ears of the otolaryngologist. Protect your ears when working in dusty environments.