What Causes Ear Congestion And Headache While Recovering From Upper Respiratory Infection?

Posted on Mon, 26 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 26 Dec 2016 Answered on

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : 85 male; after the apparent end of a cold/uri, stopped up ears and sinus area headache appeared and have continued for two weeks. Tried home remedies for ears and continued to use Flonase and saline solution nose sprays, to no seeming improvement. Symptoms greatly reduced when horizontal, but return shortly after arising in the a.m. Not wheezing, not sneezing, no fever. Feel lousy. Any suggestions. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

The para nasal sinuses need to be examined and visualized , both. A CT PNS can be advised if empiric treatment with decongestants like pseudoephedrine in addition to paracetamol for 2 weeks doesn't result in improvement. This would confirm the diagnosis. With sinusitis, usually the antibiotics penetration is poor and requires a higher dose and a prolonged duration. Hopefully, it will improve with the addition of pseudoephedrine and no further investigation may be required.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any query

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar