Why do my ears hurt?

[Anonymous]

So a while back ( August) I travelled and travelling back before the flight I caught a cold
A sinus infection basically
And I thought I healed it but flying back my ear was aching a lot and basically I guess a lot of fluid built up and when I came home my ear was blocked. Felt like water was in there and I had a hard time hearing. That went away but we wanted to check my ears. I went to the docs and turns out had a lot of fluid so the doctor gave me meds for a month and such And went for a check up he said its all good but I can do an ear pressure test to make sure.
Now (December) both my ears feel clogged, not fully but a bit and the right one I have a dull pain. Not my left one which had all of the issues.
Should I just go back to the ENT? Or do I wait after Christmas?
And the ears hurt more at night I don't know why

[WhereAmI]

I'd go back. Any reoccurring fluid or ear infection can lead to hearing loss if untreated. It may not be immediate, so I don't know if you want to go right away or wait until the following Monday. Personally, I'd just take whatever appointment is available the soonest.

[Asker]

I don't know if hospitals close for Christmas 😢 and this happens at night like during the day my ears feel fine

[WhereAmI]

Hospitals are always open. Making a Dr. appointment is another story as they're not generally available. Explain your situation to the nurse when you call and tell him you need to see the doctor right away due to your condition and that you've already been treated. Worse case, find another ENT in your network if you have to wait over a couple weeks.

[Asker]

Well hopefully before Christmas the ENT I sa before should be available

[bryon]

It sounds like you have an inner ear infection. It is advisable to see your Dr. If this is the case it's nothing to mess with , it can become a serious deal

[Asker]

He did give me meds to prevent any ear infection. As well as nasal spray and the meds that actually drain the fluid. So I don't think it's an ear infection if I've taken meds against it

[bryon]

If the meds weren't strong enough to combat all of what was going on it could still be an ear infection. While it cured all the other issues , there is a slim chance it didn't cure them all. Either way something isn't right

[Asker]

I still have some meds and nasal spray would that work? 😢 because I don't know if hospitals close for Christmas

[bryon]

You didn't take all your script?

[bryon]

How long have you been off the meds is a real good question to ask you

[Asker]

I did but my parents got extra because I was complaining about ear ache after the treatment because I felt fluid in my left ear so they just got me the same meds just the dose was lower. I didn't drink the one against ear infection a second time because I didn't aer the need to. I thought I just needed the fluid out so I just drank that

[bryon]

Go back on the extras that your folks got. I hate ear aches more than any other pain so I dang sure can simpatize with you. I only know one sure fire way to get rid of an issue like your describing but not many people are willing to go through it

[Asker]

It says I can just press a warm towel on my ear and that should help. I just realised when I lay down the pain starts. It's not sharp it's dull

[bryon]

More like a dull throb like your heart beat pulses it?

[Asker]

Sort of yeah but only when I lay down. And not always like last night it wasn't there

[bryon]

That doesn't make much sense that it's a come and go sort of thing

[Asker]

That's why I'm confused

[bryon]

It would still be a good idea to ask your Dr about it just to be safe

[bryon]

I hope your feeling better now

[bryon]

And thank you as well

[Anonymous]

Build up of wax deep down in the ear canal combined with pressure get some ear drops it will clear your ears out.

[Asker]

Hopefully. Could I just go to the pharmacy instead of the doctors? They should know what you need isn't it?

[Opinion Owner]

Yes you can get these ears drops from your local Pharmacy, just briefly explain to them and they will know exactly what to give you.

[Anonymous]

My ears hurt a lot during and after flights from the pressure so I have to chew gum while landing but it goes away after a day, maybe you have a blockage that they need to relieve

[Asker]

Mine just get blocked up. Not a lot but this flight was when it hurt so bad. The pain went to my neck and up my skull on my left side plus it got blocked.

[Opinion Owner]

I've had that too, it's bad if it doesn't release the pressure then you will feel it everywhere , maybe you need antibiotics for a sinus infection you may already have plus you can catch other sicknesses riding in a plane anyway

[abc3643]

yes, see an ENT. You may have otitis media.

[Asker]

What's that 😢😢😢

[abc3643]

Whenever you see "-itis", that means "inflammation/infection". "media", in Latin amd medical usage means "middle". "Oto-" means "ear". So, "otitis media" is a middle ear infection. It is common in babies.

www.google.com/search

[Asker]

But I'm 18...

[abc3643]

Otitis media can happen at any age. It happens mostly to babies because they are so small. However, if you swim a lot in underchlorinated water, bacteria can get in there...

I suspect that you don't have otitis media, but you may have an issue with you eustachian tubes not being as open as they should be.

www.m.webmd.com/.../blocked-eustachian-tubes-topic-overview

[Asker]

Yeah that's what my doc told me too but I don't know how to open it. He said that's why I'm more prone to having blocked ears on airplanes. Plus when I was born I wad born deaf for like 5 min so who knows. Maybe all my ear problems stem from that

[abc3643]

Well, perhaps chew more, like gum or eat chewy foods and do so slowly so that you do it for a while. By exercising your jaw, you help open up your eustachian tubes and help drain any fluids from your middle ear in this helps reduce any chance of otitis media. Just like other people need to exercise to stay healthy, you should likely exercise your jaw more to help keep your ears healthy.

[Asker]

Is it weird that after you told me that I started to chew on something and it made my ears less achy

[abc3643]

See what studying or reading can do? In fairness, I worked for a bit in audiology so I know a bit about ears.

[Asker]

Well hopefully but I might delay the ENT simply because I also have other body problems 😂

[Carliexo7]

Go to a doctor