A patulous Eustachian tube is a condition where the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and upper throat, remains open and does not close as it should ¹ ² ³. Here are some key points about the condition:
Symptoms:
- A sense of fullness in the ears
- Hearing one's own voice, breathing, or bodily functions too loudly
- Hearing the sound of blood pumping
- Autophony (hearing one's own voice, breathing, or heartbeat loudly)
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- Muffled hearing
Causes:
- Weight loss
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, birth control pills, or hormone replacement therapy)
- Chronic nasal allergy
- A history of acid reflux disease
- Stress and anxiety
- Chronic neuromuscular or immunological disease
Diagnosis:
- Ear exam (otoscopy)
- Nasal endoscopy
- Tympanometry
- Computed tomography (CT) scanning
Treatment:
- Limiting decongestants and caffeine
- Drinking more water
- Medicated nasal drops
- Surgery (implants, fillers, grafts, or fat transfers)
Here are some key bullet points regarding P.E.T.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have a patulous Eustachian tube:
1. Autophony: Hearing your own voice, breathing, or heartbeat loudly in your ear.
2. Fullness or blockage: Feeling like your ear is plugged or full of pressure.
3. Tinnitus: Ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in your ear.
4. Muffled hearing: Difficulty hearing or a sense of hearing through a tunnel.
5. Ear popping or clicking: Unusual sounds or sensations in your ear when you swallow, yawn, or change altitude.
6. Nasal congestion: Persistent stuffiness or congestion in your nose.
7. Sinus pressure: Pain or pressure in your sinuses, face, or forehead.
8. Hearing your own breathing: Hearing your own breathing sounds loudly in your ear.
9. Voice changes: Hearing your own voice differently, such as sounding nasal or echoey.
10. Dizziness or lightheadedness: Feeling off-balance or dizzy, especially when changing positions.
If you're experiencing several of these symptoms, it's a good idea to consult an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for a thorough evaluation. They will perform a physical examination, take a detailed medical history, and may conduct tests such as:
1. Otoscopy: Examining the ear canal and eardrum with a scope.
2. Nasal endoscopy: Examining the nasal passages and sinuses with a flexible tube.
3. Tympanometry: Measuring the movement of the eardrum and middle ear structures.
4. Acoustic reflex testing: Testing the reflexes of the middle ear muscles.
Based on the results, your ENT specialist can diagnose a patulous Eustachian tube and recommend appropriate treatment options.
For more details regarding PET, please watch this video: https://youtu.be/KrTqIuSKbvw
Hozzászólások