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What Causes Fullness In The Ears And Vertigo?
Posted on
Thu, 27 Oct 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 27 Oct 2016
Answered on
Thu, 17 Nov 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I havent had any colds recently other than small fall allergies. I have noticed now for a couple of weeks when I blow my nose (those fall allergies) my right ear plugs and when it does that I have a dizzy spell. When I swab my ears to make sure to remove any wax, I find nothing or very very small amounts of wax on the qtip. I experience varying levels of dizziness, but when it plugs after blowing I feel like I am on mary-go-round and at times I even have to right myself by holding on to something....Then it pops at some point down the road, perhaps as long as 30-45 minutes later. In the interim my hearing is fine in the left ear, but clearly muffled in the right ear...and is terribly annoying..what to do?
Brief Answer:
Consider taking an antihistamine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXX,
The eustachian tube connects the throat with the middle ear. When there is drainage down the throat and when people blow their nose, fluid can back up into the ear. This can explain the muffled hearing and the crackling or popping. There is likely some fluid, and increased pressure in the middle ear. Not everyone gets the vertiginous symptoms you described with it, but it is possible.
So basically the problem is that fluid is getting trapped (temporarily) in the middle ear.
The reason swabbing your ear won't show anything is because the fluid is behind the ear drum rather than in the auditory (ear) canal.
Here is a diagram of the ear and eustachian tube that might help: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/96/71/23/0000b10bcd6d16ab1c6911d1e.jpg
Some people find that decongestants help, such as pseudoephedrine. If the primary problem is due to allergies, a good antihistamine such as Zyrtec (generic ceterizine) might help stop the problem at it's source. You can also try a nasal steroid such as Flonase - know that it will take a few days of daily use for the Flonase to start working.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Consider taking an antihistamine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXX,
The eustachian tube connects the throat with the middle ear. When there is drainage down the throat and when people blow their nose, fluid can back up into the ear. This can explain the muffled hearing and the crackling or popping. There is likely some fluid, and increased pressure in the middle ear. Not everyone gets the vertiginous symptoms you described with it, but it is possible.
So basically the problem is that fluid is getting trapped (temporarily) in the middle ear.
The reason swabbing your ear won't show anything is because the fluid is behind the ear drum rather than in the auditory (ear) canal.
Here is a diagram of the ear and eustachian tube that might help: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/96/71/23/0000b10bcd6d16ab1c6911d1e.jpg
Some people find that decongestants help, such as pseudoephedrine. If the primary problem is due to allergies, a good antihistamine such as Zyrtec (generic ceterizine) might help stop the problem at it's source. You can also try a nasal steroid such as Flonase - know that it will take a few days of daily use for the Flonase to start working.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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