Relieving painful ear pressure when you’re sick

When you’re suffering with a sinus infection, a cold or the flu, it can be a truly miserable experience. Common symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, coughing and just generally feeling terrible are bad enough. When ear pressure and pain are added to the mix, things get even worse.

What causes ear pressure when you’re sick?

It’s pretty common to have that stuffed-up feeling in your ears anytime you have an illness that affects your sinuses or your head. Everything from a sinus infection to seasonal allergies can leave you with muffled hearing and serious discomfort.

Because the ears, nose and throat are closely connected, a problem in one area can cause problems in others.

Eustachian tubes and their role in ear pressure during illness

The Eustachian tubes play an important role in the day-to-day functioning of the ears, nose and throat region. These tubes connect the middle ears to the nasal passages and upper throat; they open and close automatically in order to adjust the pressure in your middle ear, remove excess fluids and circulate new air inside your ears.

Upper respiratory infections and allergies can create partial blockages of the Eustachian tubes if there’s inflammation, causing issues with how the tubes function. This inflammation can lead to fluid buildup, which causes a plugged-up feeling and an increase in ear pressure.

Since the way the Eustachian tubes form is different from person to person, some people are more likely to experience significant discomfort or even pain in the ear than others. Eustachian tubes that narrow or more horizontal are prone to fluid buildup. It’s essentially the reason children are mre prone to middle ear infections than adults are.

Tips for relieving ear pressure at home

That stuffy, plugged-up sensation your ears will usually clear up once your illness has run its course, but there are some ways to reduce the discomfort associated with ear pressure by relieving congestion in the nose and throat.

Some ideas for how to relieve ear pressure and pain at home include:

• Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants
• Swallowing or yawning
• Chewing gum
• Throat lozenges or hard candy
• Take a breath, pinch your nostrils shut, close your mouth and then gently breathe out

If your symptoms don’t improve after a few days or you develop ear pain, fluid drainage and hearing loss, you may be experiencing an ear infection.

If this is the case, schedule an appointment with your doctor or at an urgent care. They’ll be able to examine your ears thoroughly and come up with a solution to help you feel better.