Most people take ear health for granted, failing to notice its condition until an ear infection or eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) occurs. These issues create spurts of pain and discomfort that make it difficult to hear and enjoy ourselves. If you notice symptoms like vertigo, ear pain, and muffled hearing, seek nearby professional advice and ENT services in the Rockville, MD, area immediately.
Below, we describe eustachian tube dysfunction, its causes, and how we treat it:
What Is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
Whenever you swallow, sneeze, or yawn, your eustachian tubes—which connect your middle ears to your upper throat—open and let air flow through. In ETD cases, these tubes are blocked and create discomfort, hearing difficulties, and a feeling of “fullness” in your ear.
Although most ETD symptoms resolve in a few days, they sometimes persist and require treatment or—in the most significant cases—surgery to clear. If you have noticed persistent symptoms and discomfort, call an ENT specialist immediately.
What Are the Treatment Options?
While minor forms of ETD may resolve without treatment, surgery and other remedies may become necessary if your symptoms last more than 2 weeks. ETDn treatment depends on the cause and severity of your condition.
Chewing gum and trying the Valsalva maneuver can help sometimes. So can antihistamines, acetaminophen, and other over-the-counter medications. However, severe ETD may require surgery. A qualified ENT professional can perform one of the following types of surgery to address the issue:
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Treatments in Rockville, MD
Eustachian tube dysfunction can be painful, distracting, and uncomfortable. But the qualified team of ENT surgeons at ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery Specialists can get you situated with treatment to ease your ear pain and discomfort. We have served Rockville, MD, residents for over 42 years, providing patients with the highest quality comprehensive ear, nose, throat, and facial plastic surgery care. To make an appointment with our qualified ENT technicians, call (301) 719-5649 today.
