 |
|
|
|
|
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.
 |
|
|
|
https://aforz.biz/linkrank/out.cgi?id=orugel&cg=10&url=www.ocrvcenter.com/
https://www.hypercomments.com/api/go?url=https://www.www.tresportres.es/distribucion/es/module/smartblog/details?id_post=1
I was able to find good info from your content.
http://m.hicbc.com/i/files/acj/?url=https://francisco4i5x1.p2blogs.com/
Great articles. Thank you for the information spanish learning
https://www.spanishtogo.app
Hello, I do believe your web site might be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Apart from that, fantastic site!
http://rd.alice.it/r3/redir.asp?url=https://noticiasdepolonia.com/18-rv-awning-repair-near-me-gif
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article plus the rest of the site is also very good.
http://engine.pitchengine.com/v1/util/link?c=PitchLink&a=/v1/pitches/e829965b-ded0-4c0a-9ffe-757942058364&v=http://www.article.rabia.co.in/140028/how-to-do-research-and-find-the-very-best-trailer-repair-near-me
http://s5.histats.com/stats/r.php?1484558&100&34851&urlr=&proionta-naxou.gr/
Itís hard to come by experienced people about this topic, but you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
https://www.etis.ford.com/externalURL.do?url=https://mail.mobileimg.com/mypictures/index.php?/guestbook&start=361905
I couldnít refrain from commenting. Very well written!
http://sc.devb.gov.hk/TuniS/meryancor.com/
https://vi.paltalk.com/client/webapp/client/External.wmt?url=https://forkliftrepairshop.com/
https://www.rya.org.uk/pages/redir.axd?url=https://josue9a6g6.humor-blog.com/
erectile vacuum pump demonstration https://pharmaceptica.com/
https://gogvo.com/redir.php?k=d58063e997dbb039183c56fe39ebe099&url=https://soulcentre.org/blog/post/index/id/109/category_id/28
Good write-up. I absolutely appreciate this website. Keep writing!
/
I like reading through an article that will make men and women think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
http://ww17.yourname.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=sprinterrepairnearme.com/
http://yellowpages.staradvertiser.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=howtobrews.com/
http://www.xiguaji.com/Service/Link/?url=http://conner9c2x0.snack-blog.com/3494915/top-guidelines-of-rv-service-near-me
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article. Many thanks for supplying these details.
https://clixgalore.com/NoRedirect.aspx?ID=11387&AfID=225385&BID=111815&ER=1&RU=https://serenomiami.com/
tadalafil citrate https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
Howdy! This post could not be written any better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he'll have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!
http://www.pcpitstop.com/offsite.asp?https://www.diplingpaedmediatorreiter.eu/
https://router.usconcealedcarry.com/auth/invalidate?redirectTo=http://ocrv.today
I was able to find good info from your blog posts.
https://auth.lis.curtin.edu.au/cgi-bin/auth-ng/url.cgi?url=http://air-conditioner-repair-in90259.blogmazing.com/3141903/repair-shop-near-me-can-be-fun-for-anyone
I absolutely love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you make this site yourself? Please reply back as Iím trying to create my own site and would like to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Thank you!
http://openforbusinessmagazine01.businesscatalyst.com/Redirect.aspx?destination=http://andy6l0i8.activoblog.com/
http://www.osbar.org/secured/plf/remote_logout.asp?returnurl=https://www.rvinsuranceroihai.blogspot.com/2017/07/rv-insurance-gmac.html
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article. Thanks for providing these details.
https://fussballabzeichen.dfbnet.org/redirect?url=https://soulcentre.org/blog/post/index/id/128
http://salesnews.qantas.com/public/m/closed?msLRR=https://amicalehassaniadesmagistrats.com/component/vitabook/?start=887100
http://opac2.mdah.state.ms.us/stone/SV90I22.php?referer=https://eduardo1j4v8.blogitright.com/3490258/not-known-facts-about-rv-repair-shop
http://www.ref.webhostinghub.com/scripts/click.php?ref_id=nichol54&desturl=http://www.target-directory.com/listing/rv-body-shop-near-me-261337
https://www.feedroll.com/rssviewer/feed2js.php?src=http://riddick.indiedrawingsgig.com/
kredi notu öğrenme
https://www.wangxiao.cn/redirect.aspx?url=http://www.article.rabia.co.in/107206/exactly-how-to-accomplish-analysis-as-well-discover-the-greatest-rv-solar-installation-near-me
An impressive share! I've just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast simply because I stumbled upon it for him... lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this matter here on your web page.
https://wep.wf/r/?url=https://www.exitoempresa.eu/2018/10/27/empresas-de-exito-en-las-que-nadie-confiaba/dos-hombres-de-negocios-confia-en-estrechar-la-mano-durante-una-reunion-en-la-oficina-el-exito-el-trato-el-saludo-y-el-concepto-de-socio_1423-199
http://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=hdorrh+HcDlQ+zUEnZU5qlfKZ1Cl53X6&url=https://www.ocrvmotorcoaches.com/
Hi, I do believe this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may revisit once again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.
https://community.electrochem.org/eWeb/logout.aspx?expires=yes&redirecturl=https://www.backbonehunters.com
http://local.katc.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.backbonehunters.com
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and the rest of the site is very good.
https://www.favy.jp/trackings/redirect_to_source_url?tat=reservation_form&tid=17635&url=https://www.www.backbonehunters.com
Excellent blog you've got here.. Itís hard to find quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!
http://affiliate.joomla-monster.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=789&url=http://backboneleaders.com
http://www.vanpeople.com/space/link.php?url=http://www.backboneleaders.com
http://www.loome.net/demo.php?url=https://backboneleaders.com
Iím amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog thatís both equally educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you've hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which too few folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i'm very happy I found this during my search for something regarding this.
http://s2.aspservice.jp/beautypark/link.php?i=5a0d1ac6bfc45&m=5a0d35dd18e6f&url=https://backboneleaders.com/
best research tadalafil https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
https://edn.embarcadero.com/cn/language?code=cn&returnurl=https://backbonehunters.com
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this post and also the rest of the site is extremely good.
https://www.videoder.com/af/media?mode=2&url=https://backboneleaders.com
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is useful. Thanks for sharing!
https://www.orangelabel.ru/go?url=https://backboneleaders.com
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this article plus the rest of the website is really good.
https://www.ehso.com/ehsord.php?URL=https://www.backboneleaders.com/
May I simply say what a comfort to find somebody who genuinely understands what they're talking about on the internet. You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people must check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you're not more popular given that you definitely possess the gift.
https://dspk.kindredplc.com/redirect.aspx?pid=3789659&bid=25820&redirectUrl=https://backboneleaders.com/
http://p113831.typo3server.info/index.php?id=34&type=0&jumpurl=https://www.backbonehunters.com
https://d-click.alterdata.com.br/u/15028/1120/88002/2068_0/6d5c3/?url=http://backboneleaders.com/
sildenafil 50mg prices https://pharmaceptica.com/
You have made some good points there. I checked on the net for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.
https://pram.elmercurio.com/Logout.aspx?ApplicationName=EMOL&l=yes&SSOTargetUrl=https://www.backbonehunters.com/