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For the last two weeks I have had pressure in both ears and ...

Sent to Health Experts January 2 2008 at 5:52 AM
   

For the last two weeks I have had pressure in both ears and in my nose. This occurs for about 15 minutes each day and then it goes away. I had been diagnosed with a dental abcess prior to feeling these strange sensations. The abscess was treated with a root canal and antibiotics. The pressure sometimes feels so intense like my head is going to pop. What can be the cause of this?

 

Optional Information:
Female, Age: 34, Florida

Already Tried:
I went to urgent care where they gave me allergy meds (haven't helped).

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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January 2 2008 at 7:01 AM (4 minutes later)
         
Reply to Dr.M.D.Mazumdar, MD's Post: No I don't have any other symptoms of a tract infection.

The ear pressure just seems to go away on its own. It doesn't feel like the kind of pressure you feel when you fly. I can hear just fine....it just seems like my ears get warm and then the pressure sets it.

I feel the nose pressure in between my eyes.
Answer
January 2 2008 at 7:17 AM (16 minutes and 49 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Hello,

Pressure between the eyes indicates that you have an infection and inflammation of the frontal sinuses. Since you an inflammation of the sinuses, it is very possible that you do have an inflammation of the eustachian tube - a small tube that connects the ears with the throat. Presssure inside the ears usually occur when this tube gets blocked due to any reason - usually an inflammation of the throat.

It is likely that the tissues of the upper respiratory tract got infected from the dental abscess.

please take the following steps at home and see if it helps:

- Gargle with hot, saline water - mix 2 teaspoonfuls of salt in 1 glass of hot water and gargle thrice daily.

- Steam inhalation - Take a bowl of hot water, and put 2 tsf of salt in it. You can also put menthol in it if you have some. Inhale the steam that rises from the water. You can put a towel over the head as you inhale for quicker relief.

- Drink a glass of warm lemon juice daily. Squeeze a wedge of lemon in a glass of warm water and mix 1 pinch of salt and 1 tablespoonful of sugar for taste. You can increase the amount of water if you find the lemon too sour to taste

- You can suck on hard sweets - the saliva trickling down the throat will be soothing. .

- Take Motrin tablets (500mg twice daily for 5 days).

- Improve your immunity by taking a multivitamin multimineral supplement. A tablet of Vitamin C 500mg will help to build up your resistance to infections. Vitamin C is known to be a potent agent against respiratory infections.

- Drink at least 8 - 10 glasses of water daily. Dehydration leaves you more prone to get infections.

- If you do not get better in 7 days, please see a doctor.

 

I hope this helps.

Let me know if you need more input. If not, please click on the green"Accept" button on this page. A positive rating and adding a bonus will be warmly appreciated.

 

 




Experienced in the management of Pregnancy,Infertility,Menopause and all problems in Pregnancy and Gynecology
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January 2 2008 at 7:20 AM (2 minutes and 44 seconds later)
         
Reply to Dr.M.D.Mazumdar, MD's Post: I have taken two weeks of antibiotics. I just finished my last dose this past Sunday and the pressure is still there.

If it was an infection wouldn't the antibiotics have helped by now?
Answer
January 2 2008 at 7:28 AM (7 minutes and 26 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Antiiotics kill off the bacteria causing the infection. But the damage they cause to the tissues tend to remain for some time - the tissues can continue to remain inflamed even if there is no active bacteria.

The inflammation can decrease spontaneously after some time. Or they can weaken the tissues and make them prone to get infected again.

The steps outlined above should help to decrease the inflammation quite ffast.




Experienced in the management of Pregnancy,Infertility,Menopause and all problems in Pregnancy and Gynecology
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January 2 2008 at 7:34 AM (6 minutes and 11 seconds later)
         
Reply to Dr.M.D.Mazumdar, MD's Post: The pressure in my ears and nose (upper nose just between the eyes) seems to occur generally once or twice a day.....each episode lasting an average of 15 minutes then it seems to subside. I also mentioned that my ears feel warm. I've also noticed that my blood pressure seems to go up as a result of this (on average 130/80; my regular BP is 110/70). Is my BP going up b/c of the pressure in my head or is the BP rising causing the pressure in my head? Does all this information seem to coorelate to an infection and inflamation of the sinus tissues? I did go to an urgent care where I asked about the possibility of sinus infection. They dismissed it b/c they said I had no pain in the sinus areas. I would appreciate your further input.
Answer
January 2 2008 at 7:42 AM (8 minutes and 3 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Hello,

Inflammation of the frontal sinuses may not cause pain on pressure. Only an Xray or MRI scan of the skull will be diagnostic.

A rise in BP though can cause warmth and pressure on the ears. But is unlikely to cause pressure in the frontal sinuses.

It is unlikely that a throat and sinus inflammation will cause a rise in BP.

What is important is that fluctuations of BP is not a healthy sign. You need to consult your doctor for a thorough evaluation - a cardiac scan, ECG, ECG with holter monitor for 24 hours, blood tests like AST, creatinine kinase, a complete lipid panel etc.

An evaluation by an ENT specialist should also be helpful in the diagnosis of frontal sinusitis.

 




Experienced in the management of Pregnancy,Infertility,Menopause and all problems in Pregnancy and Gynecology
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January 2 2008 at 7:46 AM (3 minutes and 57 seconds later)
         
Reply to Dr.M.D.Mazumdar, MD's Post: I had a full evaluation by a cardiologist a few months ago (EKG,ECG, holter, stress test, blood work etc.) and everything came back just fine.

All in all what is your overall conclusion of what I've told you? Do you still believe it to be an inflamtion of the sinus tissues? Which sinus area specifically?
Answer
January 2 2008 at 7:54 AM (8 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Overall, I think you have an inflammation of the frontal sinuses as well as a mild inflammation of the throat.

You can see an image of the location of the different sinuses here:

- http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/1205/images/sinus.jpg

 



Edited by Dr.M.D.Mazumdar, MD on January 2 2008 at 7:55 AM



Experienced in the management of Pregnancy,Infertility,Menopause and all problems in Pregnancy and Gynecology
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