Ear congestion and the importance of timely treatment
Did you ever have to go through the problem of not being able to hear properly? Did prolonged deafness, muffled noises, or fullness in the ears make you uncomfortable? Worry not! It might not be life-threatening initially, but getting it cured can possibly save you from impending dangers. It could be a possible case of ear congestion and getting an ear congestion treatment on time is crucial.

What is ear congestion and when does it occur?

• As the word suggests, ear congestion is when there is some kind of obstruction in one or both of your ears.
• This obstruction can occur when the pressure outside your body and the pressure inside your middle ear is not the same.
• A small canal known as the eustachian tube, which is located between your nose and your middle ear, equalizes this pressure. The obstruction may have occurred here.

What are the probable causes of ear congestion?

• You have probably been asked to stay away from cigarettes, and that is because smoke is one of the probable causes of ear congestion.
• Blowing your nose with great force can cause obstructions in the ear tube.
• Sometimes, the common cold or a congestion in the nasal cavity can also lead to ear congestion.
• An ear infection, because of which pus forms in the middle ear, can be a cause of ear congestion.
• Rapid changes in air pressure when you are traveling on an airplane can also lead to ear congestion.

What are some easy treatments to cure ear congestion?
Mild ear congestion might not be an issue. You could follow the given points and easily get relief from it. The following suggestions vary and totally depend on the intensity of the congestion you are affected by.

• Drink lots of water as it will thin the mucus in your nose.
• You may even start by blowing your nose gently to relieve the pressure.
• You could even use a standard decongestant available with most drugstores.
• Quit smoking.
• Just in case excess water has made its way into your ear during a swim or shower, tilt your head toward your shoulder and tug on your earlobe.
• Hydrogen peroxide ear drops can be medicinal in case excess water has made its way into your ears.

What should be kept in mind when using ear decongestants?

• Some pain relievers like acetaminophen, naproxen, and ibuprofen are easily available at a majority of the drugstores. However, you must be wary when dealing with decongestants.
• Just as in the case of any medicine, you would want to have approval from an expert.
• Decongestants are not recommended for children below the age of 12.
• Decongestant nasal sprays should not be used more than 3, or a maximum of 5, days, otherwise there could be a rebound of the congestion.
• Some decongestants like Sudafed, which are taken by mouth for ear congestion treatment, can have side effects, making you feel dizzy or nervous. Therefore, it is important that you read the instructions properly before application.

Where can the pain occur when suffering from ear congestion?
Let’s take a look at the probable places where pain could occur:

• The pain could be restricted to your ears.
• The pain may have reached your outer ear or several parts of your face.

When should you see a doctor for ear congestion – treatment?
If you see the following signs over a long period of time, it would be better if you go and check with a doctor. You would certainly not want permanent eardrum damage. In any of the following cases, ear congestion treatment from a specialist could just be the right decision.

• If you are getting a fever because of the congestion in the ear.
• If there is prolonged deafness.
• If you are finding it difficult to maintain balance.
• The congestion itself has been prevalent for a long period of time.
• If the ear pain or swelling persists even after you have taken the necessary precautions and medication.