About this topic
The eustachian tube is a small passageway that connects your throat to your middle ear. Sometimes, the opening to this tube gets blocked. This is called eustachian tube dysfunction or ETD. Many things may cause ETD. Sometimes, it is caused by a cold, allergies, or an ear infection. Pressure changes like those that happen with riding in an airplane or scuba diving may also cause ETD. ‚
Children are more likely to have ETD. They have a shorter eustachian tube. It is easier for germs to get inside the ear. It is also easier for fluid to get trapped there. Children have a harder time fighting off infections. Their immune system is not as fully developed as an adults immune system. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may place a tube inside your ear to drain any fluid. You may see yellowish, greenish, or bloody fluid coming out of your ear.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you had surgery, there may be a tube inside the ear to drain fluids. You may have a follow-up visit after a week to check this tube.
- You doctor will tell you if you need to see a specialist.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
- Treat stuffiness or congestion
- Help with allergies
Make sure to take all the drugs ordered by your doctor even if you are feeling better. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Ask your doctor if you need to avoid doing activities where you have pressure changes in your ears. This may include things like riding elevators or airplanes or going scuba diving. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Ear infections
- Dizziness
- Damaged eardrum
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid riding in airplanes and going scuba diving when you have a cough or cold.
- Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
- Use nose decongestants and drugs for allergies. Talk to your doctor about drugs that you can take.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Very bad ear pain
- Yellow, green, or bloody drainage from the ear
- A stiff neck
- Problem swallowing
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
These may help open your eustachian tubes: ‚
- Chewing gum
- Swallowing
- Yawning
- Taking a deep breath and blowing with your mouth shut and your nose pinched closed
- Giving your baby a bottle or a pacifier to suck
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my ears.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have ear pain, drainage from my ear, or problems swallowing.
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/eustachian-tube-dysfunction.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚