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What Causes Clogged Ears Along With Dizziness?
Posted on
Mon, 22 Jun 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 22 Jun 2015
Answered on
Fri, 10 Jul 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : For the last 6 months I have had clogged ears and feeling light headed. They are constantly feeling plugged. I have seen a TON of doctors. I saw an ENT and he said it was TMJ, so I started seeing a chiropractor to do active release. I also wear a night guard. I saw another doctor who said it was allergies, so I started using a neti pot twice a day and using api-mometasone twice a day. I also take reactine. But nothing seems to work. Do you have any thoughts? Could these be allergies? Is it just TMJ?
I think the fact it is not going away is scaring me. They were not concerned it was something neurological, but basically the only test I haven't done is an MRI. Should I be concerned?
I just want to note that I was doing active release with a chiropractor but have since stopped for a month or so.
I think the fact it is not going away is scaring me. They were not concerned it was something neurological, but basically the only test I haven't done is an MRI. Should I be concerned?
I just want to note that I was doing active release with a chiropractor but have since stopped for a month or so.
Brief Answer:
eustachian tube dysfunction
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to healthcaremagic,
From your symptoms it seems possible that you have Eustachian tube dysfunction.
These tubes connect the nose to the ears. They get blocked due to allergies or infections of the nose and sinuses.
I would suggest you try treating it with steroid nasal spray that you are taking along with decongestant nose drops like otrivin (oxymetazoline) for a few weeks. You should feel better if it is not from TMJ dysfunction or other causes. These drops keep the tubes patent and help to ventilate the ears better
Instil 3 drops in each nostril 3 times a day for 6 days and follow it up with steam inhalation.
You can also try an exercise called valsalva. The details are available on YouTube.
Drink plenty of fluids and avoid air conditioning.
If you do not feel better soon then you will need to undergo a nasal endoscopy to rule out mechanical obstruction to the tubes by polyps or growths. I would consider mechanical obstructions from polyps or growth as more likely than TMJ.
Do not worry , I do not think its anything serious.
Regards,
DR Rajkishori Godhi MS ENT
eustachian tube dysfunction
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to healthcaremagic,
From your symptoms it seems possible that you have Eustachian tube dysfunction.
These tubes connect the nose to the ears. They get blocked due to allergies or infections of the nose and sinuses.
I would suggest you try treating it with steroid nasal spray that you are taking along with decongestant nose drops like otrivin (oxymetazoline) for a few weeks. You should feel better if it is not from TMJ dysfunction or other causes. These drops keep the tubes patent and help to ventilate the ears better
Instil 3 drops in each nostril 3 times a day for 6 days and follow it up with steam inhalation.
You can also try an exercise called valsalva. The details are available on YouTube.
Drink plenty of fluids and avoid air conditioning.
If you do not feel better soon then you will need to undergo a nasal endoscopy to rule out mechanical obstruction to the tubes by polyps or growths. I would consider mechanical obstructions from polyps or growth as more likely than TMJ.
Do not worry , I do not think its anything serious.
Regards,
DR Rajkishori Godhi MS ENT
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for your prompt reply.
How often should I be doing the valsalva exercise? Is there too many times in a given period? I actually had been doing this exercise to try to pop my ears, but was concerned I shouldn't be doing it too much.
Would it be helpful to have a humidifier on? We live in an extremely dry climate.
What should I do to maximize steam inhalation? When I am sick I take a hot bowl of water and put a towel over my head to inhale the steam.
Thank you for all your help!
How often should I be doing the valsalva exercise? Is there too many times in a given period? I actually had been doing this exercise to try to pop my ears, but was concerned I shouldn't be doing it too much.
Would it be helpful to have a humidifier on? We live in an extremely dry climate.
What should I do to maximize steam inhalation? When I am sick I take a hot bowl of water and put a towel over my head to inhale the steam.
Thank you for all your help!
Brief Answer:
humidifier will help you
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow up,
You can do valsalva for 5 minutes 3 times a day for a few weeks. If it is resulting in ear ache , then do not do it.
A humidifier would definitely help you.. go for it.
The steam inhalation technique that you are following is correct.
I would like to make one correction... decongestants like otrivin should never be taken for more than 6 days at a time. In my previous answer I have written that you can take it for a few weeks which is wrong and I am sorry for the mistake.
Regards,
DR Rajkishori Godhi MS ENT
humidifier will help you
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow up,
You can do valsalva for 5 minutes 3 times a day for a few weeks. If it is resulting in ear ache , then do not do it.
A humidifier would definitely help you.. go for it.
The steam inhalation technique that you are following is correct.
I would like to make one correction... decongestants like otrivin should never be taken for more than 6 days at a time. In my previous answer I have written that you can take it for a few weeks which is wrong and I am sorry for the mistake.
Regards,
DR Rajkishori Godhi MS ENT
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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