What Causes Sore Blocked Ear Post Vomiting?

Posted on Sun, 27 Jul 2014

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

Sun, 27 Jul 2014 Answered on

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi .. I vomited last night a few times and now my ear is sore and blocked .. is this normal ?

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Eustachian tube inflammation will be the cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the query.

During a forceful vomiting, there is chance that the vomitus gets pushed through the eustachian tube towards middle ear or just touches the nasopharyngeal opening of eustachian tube and both these conditions can lead to inflammation of the mucosa of middle ear.

This will be the reason for pain in ear most of the times.

Please use nasal decongestant drops along with an analgesic and if the things don't improve or worsen, see an ENT.

Feel free to ask another query.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Prahlad Duggal (3 hours later)

okay thanks ... does this usually heal on its own ? is it serious ? or should be better in a few days ?

Thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes can heal on its own

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.

Yes it usually heals on its own.

Use of decongestant nasal drops helps in early healing.

Feel free to ask another query.

Regards

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