Sinus/Ear Problems

[AnnoyingPentium]

I presume this is the right bit for this, if it isn't then I'd appreciate a mod moving it to the right bit.

 

Basically, since about 2017, I've had my sinuses getting choked up which then presents an odd issue with my left ear where that it feels like it wants to pop when I breathe in and out through my nose. I've found that a nasal spray has helped clear this, but I'm fed up having to rely on one each time, this issue also happens all year round. Sure, I could go and see a doctor about this, but trying to phone for my GP is a roulette of "will they answer the phone?!". I'm fully aware I'm going off on a tangent here. So anyway, does anyone have any home remedies?

 

Just as a side note, I had my adenoids taken out and grommets put in around 2008, if that's of any relevance since this is an ear related issue.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Ryan B.

Edited 18 November, 2021 by AnnoyingPentium

[Gerrycan]

I went through a phase for about a year where intermittently one nasal passage would get an inordinate amount of congestion while the other side remained clear.

While it was very annoying I found that a simple saline nasal spray really  helped me a lot until it eventually sorted itself out, but I think diligent application of the saline solution assisted the resolution.

Over the counter nasal spray medications that 'dry' up the nose left it feeling odd, uncomfortable and sensitive, compared to the normal side. I have read that they can cause issues if overused.

Sounds like you really need to persevere contacting  your doc and maybe a referral to a specialist with your history.

 

I had my tonsils and adenoids out when I was eleven and it literarily changed my life for the better overnight.

Edited 19 November, 2021 by Gerrycan

[mac11irl]

sounds like a blocked eustachian tube. its a little pipe thst connects the ear canal to the throat to let pressure through. theres a jaw exercise you you do that will help it release

[AnnoyingPentium]

36 minutes ago, Gerrycan said:

I went through a phase for about a year where intermittently one nasal passage would get an inordinate amount of congestion while the other side remained clear.

While it was very annoying I found that a simple saline nasal spray really  helped me a lot until it eventually sorted itself out, but I think diligent application of the saline solution assisted the resolution.

Over the counter nasal spray medications that 'dry' up the nose left it feeling odd, uncomfortable and sensitive, compared to the normal side. I have read that they can cause issues if overused.

Sounds like you really need to persevere contacting  your doc and maybe a referral to a specialist with your history.

 

Thanks @Gerrycan, I do find that the saline spray does help, I use it when I wake up and before going to bed typically as that's when I feel the worst.

 

I'll give them a ring on Monday to see what they can do. Last time I was sent to the ENT Clinic at Ayr Hospital and they done a hearing test and told me I was fine...

 

38 minutes ago, Gerrycan said:

I had my tonsils and adenoids out when I was eleven and it literarily changed my life for the better overnight.

 

I had my tonsils out in 2015 as I was missing a lot of school due to taking tonsillitis almost monthly. Both that and the adenoids definitely made it much better.  

 

12 minutes ago, mac11irl said:

sounds like a blocked eustachian tube. its a little pipe thst connects the ear canal to the throat to let pressure through. theres a jaw exercise you you do that will help it release

 

That seems likely. I'll need to give that a shot. Cheers Mac!

[J.R.]

Do a Valsalva manœuvre, Google for details.

 

It's second nature to me as a diver.

Edited 19 November, 2021 by J.R.

[@Lee]

Get 'em dealt with and you too could look like this  
 

[john999boy]

5 minutes ago, @Lee said:

Get 'em dealt with and you too could look like this  
 

Stop posting scary photos Lee! 😉

[AnnoyingPentium]

Noted.

[Tilt]

@AnnoyingPentium

 

Gerry is correct about future issues with overuse of nasal spray. I speak from experience with Otrivine at least.

 

I do read instructions and especially with medicines but I guess I missed the one line that said do not use for more than 7 days.

After using it for 10 days (iirc) my throat started feeling unusual and this was the only unusual thing that I was using, so i re-read the instructions and then I saw the 7 day bit. I stopped using it immediately.

I have had throat problems ever since. The doctor (in the days when you could get to see one) prescribed me Avamy's, for my congestion and said that Otrivine was evil stuff.

I too have been to ENT without any solution and even had a Bronchoscopy as I mentioned that I had trouble swallowing food without washing it down with a drink., but when I asked them to look for anything unusual with my throat on the way down, they said that they 'don't do throats.

 

They were not very helpful at all. (this was all waaaay pre covid)

[AnnoyingPentium]

4 minutes ago, Tilt said:

@AnnoyingPentium

 

Gerry is correct about future issues with overuse of nasal spray. I speak from experience with Otrivine at least.

 

I do read instructions and especially with medicines but I guess I missed the one line that said do not use for more than 7 days.

After using it for 10 days (iirc) my throat started feeling unusual and this was the only unusual thing that I was using, so i re-read the instructions and then I saw the 7 day bit. I stopped using it immediately.

I have had throat problems ever since. The doctor (in the days when you could get to see one) prescribed me Avamy's, for my congestion and said that Otrivine was evil stuff.

I too have been to ENT without any solution and even had a Bronchoscopy as I mentioned that I had trouble swallowing food without washing it down with a drink., but when I asked them to look for anything unusual with my throat on the way down, they said that they 'don't do throats.

 

They were not very helpful at all. (this was all waaaay pre covid)

 

Sorry that you've had those issues. I've used the Vicks Sinex (Oxymetazoline) one to aid this problem a little. It's been a wee bit better recently compared to the way it was, which is nice.

[mac11irl]

do ye be consuming much cow milk based dairy products?

people assume lactose intolerance only affects the bowels/ stomach, but it can also cause sinus issues. 

both my missus and older son are on lactose free diets as both get heavy nasal congestion from it and swmbo sufers from sore throats from milk too.

[Gerrycan]

Coincidentally my thirty year old son is on a dairy free diet.

He suddenly developed asthma and sinus congestion issues from around three years old. It is not unusual for asthma and allergies to be linked.

Asthma medication enabled him to continue a very active and sporting lifestyle but the congestion was always present. About two years ago he went dairy free and there has been a substantial improvement in both conditions.

It is not the only factor of course, for instance a big night out will always result in days of issues, and it is not milk he drinks  .

 

On the other hand my wife and I consume litres of low fat milk daily, with no ill effects.

Edited 30 November, 2021 by Gerrycan

[AnnoyingPentium]

7 hours ago, mac11irl said:

do ye be consuming much cow milk based dairy products?

 

Not as much as I used to.

 

6 hours ago, Gerrycan said:

He suddenly developed asthma 

 

My late father had asthma. Is it possible for it to have been hereditary?

 

[mac11irl]

2 hours ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

 

Not as much as I used to.

 

 

My late father had asthma. Is it possible for it to have been hereditary?

 

 

yup, asthma can be a genetic trait. 

noone on my side of our familly has it that i know of, but it runs on swmbo's side. what kicks it off can vary though, and how it presents.

[Gerrycan]

My son has inherited a lot of his granddad's genes (on the wife's side) and his family line have a history of allergies and asthma.

 

I developed asthma symptoms out the blue about 20 years ago and while it was initially bad it reduced to being just being exercise induced or when I have a bad chest cold when an occasional puffer controls it. No family history on my side so read what you will into that.

I can do a whole run after forgetting to take a pre-puffer and have no effects but I can't depend on that always happening.

10 years back my wife wanted to do a scuba course which I was also attracted to, so we both had medicals and I failed on the asthma test (dry air of the tank), she passed but did not like doing it without me.

 

Hasn't stopped either of us snorkelling though on various reefs, Great Barrier (marvellous), Lord Howe Island (incredible) and the mass mating of giant cuttlefish off the shore at Whyalla just this year (bucket list item).

 

Edited 30 November, 2021 by Gerrycan