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What Can Cause Pressure In Ear And Head With Extreme Fatigue?
32 year old female with ear pressure, head pressure, extreme fatigue, very low vitamin D. joint pain in the wrist that comes and goes. Has had a brain CT scan(normal), sinus check from ENT with CT scan (normal), endoscopy (normal), barium swallow, colonoscopy (internal hemroids otherwise normal), low progesterone (took progesterone supps for 60 days). 2 ER visits, 8 doctors (3 family, 2 gastroenterolist, ENT, neurologist, and holistic) 10-12 labs all coming back normal. Negative on allergy testing, candida, celiac(blood check only). All started over a year ago with rapid heart beat at 2 am. followed by 2-3 public panic attacks and constant dizzyness, daily heartburn and constant throat clearing with lump in throat and feeling of post nasal drip but nothing comes up and sinusses are clear. heatburn has gone away but theear and head pressure and serious fatigue is the biggest problem everyday.
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 4 Apr 2020
Answered on
Mon, 13 Apr 2020
Last reviewed on
Hi,
From what you describe you have acid reflux (aka GERD). Acid reflux can cause swelling in the ear tubes that connect to your throat. This would cause a sensation of pressure in your inner ears. It can also aggravate the back of the nose and give you a feeling of something in your throat with the need to clear it constantly. Acid reflux can also contribute to sleep apnea--it aggravates the respiratory passages at night when you lay down and you may be choking at night without knowing. Not sleeping well would cause fatigue during the day.
If the ENT who examined you did a nasal scope and didn't see anything then these effects are less likely. If acid reflux is the main cause then a pill that decreases the acidity of your stomach fluid can help. It is also true that sleep apnea can cause daytime fatigue, head pressure and especially AM headaches and worsen acid reflux symptoms. If you have gained any weight prior to these symptoms starting or changed pillows or mattresses this may be the issue. A watch that monitors your sleep patterns may be helpful.
Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Camellia Babaie, Internal Medicine Specialist
From what you describe you have acid reflux (aka GERD). Acid reflux can cause swelling in the ear tubes that connect to your throat. This would cause a sensation of pressure in your inner ears. It can also aggravate the back of the nose and give you a feeling of something in your throat with the need to clear it constantly. Acid reflux can also contribute to sleep apnea--it aggravates the respiratory passages at night when you lay down and you may be choking at night without knowing. Not sleeping well would cause fatigue during the day.
If the ENT who examined you did a nasal scope and didn't see anything then these effects are less likely. If acid reflux is the main cause then a pill that decreases the acidity of your stomach fluid can help. It is also true that sleep apnea can cause daytime fatigue, head pressure and especially AM headaches and worsen acid reflux symptoms. If you have gained any weight prior to these symptoms starting or changed pillows or mattresses this may be the issue. A watch that monitors your sleep patterns may be helpful.
Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Camellia Babaie, Internal Medicine Specialist
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