 |
|
|
|
|
September 20th, 2010
11:56 AM ET
How do I drain my ears?Every weekday, a CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question. On Monday, it's Dr. Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician. Question asked by Becky M. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: After taking antibiotics for a sinus infection or ear infection, what is the best way to help encourage drainage of the middle ear or eustachian tube? I have seen many remedies online, some of which recommend using a neti pot, but I feared making the situation worse. Is it normal to still feel some congestion in the ear area even after finishing the antibiotics? Expert answer: Thanks for your question. Sinus infections are very common, affecting more than 30 million adults in the United States each year. In these infections, the sinuses (such as those found in the forehead, under the eyes and along the sides of the nasal bridge) become inflamed and may feel full or painful. The eustachian tube is the channel that connects the middle ear with the back of the nose and throat. During colds, allergies, ear infections or sinusitis, the eustachian tube can become blocked by mucus and cause a person's ears to feel clogged, with a temporary loss of hearing. These symptoms may continue for a few weeks after a cold or other upper respiratory problem has resolved. In many instances, the sinuses and eustachian tubes will clear on their own after a few days. Treating the underlying cause of the problem (sinusitis, allergies, etc.) is the first step. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help with the discomfort in the meantime. Some people require antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection of the ears or sinuses. In addition, it can be helpful to try other remedies to clear the head of mucus. I consulted with Dr. Aaron Rogers, an otolaryngologist in Atlanta, Georgia, who shared the following information about some common remedies: • Nasal washes: Saline rinses, sprays and neti pots don't directly treat the eustachian tube but can be a huge help for sinusitis and runny or stuffy noses. Be sure to clean neti pots with soap and water, and use commercial saline products or make the saline solution yourself with sterile or distilled rather than tap water. • Nasal steroid sprays: These are available by prescription and can help open up the eustachian tube. • Physical maneuvers: Chewing gum is a common way to try to keep the eustachian tubes open. You can also pinch your nose and swallow or close your mouth, pinch your nose and blow. • Nasal decongestant sprays: These medications are available over the counter (such as Afrin) or by prescription and are especially helpful when flying (use 30 minutes before takeoff and landing). They are recommended to be used for no more than about three days at a time, since longer use can cause "rebound" swelling of the nasal passages. Of note, nasal sprays containing zinc should be avoided, as they have been reported to cause the permanent loss of the sense of smell in some cases. • Oral decongestant medicines: Examples of ingredients include pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. While the problem of rebound is less common with oral decongestants, some people experience palpitations or a rise in blood pressure. • Oral steroids and antihistamines are sometimes used, particularly in longer-lasting sinus infections; however, they may have side effects such as drying up the mucous membranes of the nasal tissue and thickening the secretions. These are not routinely recommended for the treatment of uncomplicated sinusitis or ear infections. Since every person's situation may be a little different, it's always best to talk to your own physician for the most appropriate treatment for your case. Good luck! |
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
http://local.ktvq.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=spokanevalleyseo.com
http://jenileecosmetics.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bestshopnearme.com
http://www.grandstrategy.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=rankemailads.com
Itís hard to find knowledgeable people about this subject, but you sound like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
http://www.pedonorthtexas.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=reviewnearme.com
http://fromthepaddock.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.fun
http://www.hastaneinfeksiyonlaridergisi.org/redirect.aspx?op=REDPDF&ref_ind_id=261&url=https://ocrvandtrucks.com
Everyone loves it when people get together and share ideas. Great site, continue the good work!
http://ads.pukpik.com/myads/click.php?banner_id=316&banner_url=https://affordableranking.com
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who was doing a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me dinner simply because I discovered it for him... lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this matter here on your web page.
http://www.rtkk.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://reviewnearme.com
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post! It's the little changes that will make the greatest changes. Thanks for sharing!
http://apollo.danirvinrather.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.nearmyspot.com
http://nexstrip.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.info
I really like reading through a post that can make people think. Also, thanks for allowing for me to comment!
http://derbydirt.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=boosterpackforlife.com/
Iím amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog thatís both educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy that I found this during my hunt for something concerning this.
http://www.towereed.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrv.us
Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
http://yellowpages.13abc.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=reviewnearme.com
Hi there, I think your website could possibly be having web browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in I.E., it's got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, excellent blog!
http://librarylive.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.xyz
I love it whenever people get together and share ideas. Great blog, continue the good work!
http://www.eoprice.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvshop.com
http://onsetcomp.co.in/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvmotorcoachsales.com
You have made some really good points there. I looked on the internet for more info about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.
http://daniella.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=juicycalls.com
I want to to thank you for this very good read!! I absolutely loved every bit of it. I've got you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you postÖ
http://copterfest.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.club
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and the rest of the site is also really good.
http://www.m-thong.com/go.php?go=ocrv.art
Iím amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog thatís equally educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you've hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I came across this during my hunt for something relating to this.
http://www.request-response.com/blog/ct.ashx?id=40794232-f39b-4068-a536-23c5b56a9216&url=http://ocrv.org/
http://hindustanonline.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=quotenearme.com
Having read this I believed it was very informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
https://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=29219&merchantID=2543&programmeID=6678&mediaID=0&tracking=&url=https://nearmyspot.com/
https://eridan.websrvcs.com/System/Login.asp?id=48747&Referer=https://www.hiddenapples.com
http://silvermod.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.store
http://m.ok.ru/dk?st.cmd=outLinkWarning&st.cln=off&st.typ=link&st.rtu=/dk?st.cmd=friendMediaStatusComments&st.topicId=64845785423965&st.friendId=145033792093&st.unrd=off&_prevCmd=friendMediaStatusComments&tkn=3554#lst&st.rfn=https://quotenearme.com/?url=ya-disk-public3A2F2F2BM2BpU9IjP12BXSp08VWibNtlWSQipZNfvzmXG1TrSIXQ3D&name=71_SV-AK.pdf&page=2&c=56af4478dd97&_prevCmd=friendMediaStatusComments&tkn=3220
http://www.paperjourney.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=online-website-marketing.com
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously think this site needs a lot more attention. Iíll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the advice!
http://365dog.church/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.consciousgrowthmarketing.com
http://wood-harbinger.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvmotorsports.us
Very good info. Lucky me I came across your site by accident (stumbleupon). I've book marked it for later!
http://www.knowledge.matrixplus.ru/out.php?link=https://marketingpostfalls.com
http://davistps.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=developingprospects.com
I absolutely love your website.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you develop this site yourself? Please reply back as Iím attempting to create my own personal website and want to know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Many thanks!
http://fbetpay.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.bestservicenearme.com/
https://profitquery.com/share/?url=https://ocrvcenter.com/
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the most useful blogs on the web. I am going to recommend this web site!
http://www.dlszywz.com/index.php?c=scene&a=link&id=273020&url=ocrvcenter.com/
http://aurora.network/redirect?url=https://www.ocrvcenter.com/
You are so interesting! I do not think I've truly read through something like this before. So good to find another person with some original thoughts on this subject. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that's needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
http://rd.nakanohito.jp/redirect/index/?url=https://www.ocrvcenter.com/
https://www.metta.org.uk/eweb/?web=www.ocrvcenter.com/
This is the right web site for everyone who hopes to find out about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally will need toÖHaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject that has been written about for decades. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!
http://paltalk.com/client/webapp/client/External.wmt?url=https://www.ocrvcenter.com
https://www.yszx360.com/go.php?id=http://www.ocrvcenter.com/
https://www.worldcat.org/?jHome=http://ocrvcenter.com/&linktype=best
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and also the rest of the site is also really good.
https://turn.com/r/click?id=f6wz9fvWpSEJ7QEA4QUBAA&url=ocrvcenter.com
I could not resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
https://akce.letuska.cz/acontent/click?target=http://ocrvcenter.com
I was able to find good info from your blog articles.
http://vulnweb.com/redir.php?r=ocrvcenter.com
https://www.antiqueweek.com/scripts/sendoffsite.asp?url=http://www.ocrvcenter.com
I read this post fully concerning the difference of hottest and previous technologies, it's remarkable
article.
Hello! I could have sworn Iíve been to your blog before but after looking at some of the articles I realized itís new to me. Regardless, Iím definitely delighted I found it and Iíll be bookmarking it and checking back often!
https://www.kif.re.kr/kif2/publication/viewer.aspx?controlno=217165&returnurl=https://ocrvcenter.com/
http://liducks.com/tracker/index.html?t=ad&pool_id=41&ad_id=45&url=https://www.ocrvcenter.com/
I have to thank you for the efforts you've put in penning this site. I am hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own blog now 😉
https://m.qjis.com/go.php?id=http://www.ocrvcenter.com
https://ecommzone.com/lz/srr/00as0z/06e397d17325825ee6006c3c5ee495f922/actions/redirect.aspx?url=ocrvcenter.com/
Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Taking the time and actual effort to generate a good articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I procrastinate a whole lot and never seem to get anything done.
http://info-proekt.ru/bitrix/redirect.php?goto=www.ocrvcenter.com/
After going over a number of the articles on your website, I truly appreciate your technique of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site as well and let me know what you think.
https://www.mysitepanel.net/Home/ChangeCulture?langCode=ar&returnUrl=http://ocrvcenter.com/