I am a 30 year old female and in good health. Over the last year I have developed problems with my ears continually popping. It is not painful, unless I am flying or there is a change in altitude. The popping occurs every time I swallow & yawn. I have been put on numerous courses of antibiotics and steroid sprays and nothing has helped, in fact it seems the pressure is getting worse. Is there any chance that Candida Albicans overgrowth from the antibiotic use could be causing this? I have also increased my dairy intake over the last year. Could an allergy to dairy be causing this problem? If I were to eliminate dairy from my diet (and that is the cause), how long would it take to know if that was the reason for the pressure. Any info would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks--
Reply: -------------------
The symptoms you have described are suggestive of eustachian tube dysfunction which can be related to problems with the eustachian tube itself or may be associated with more generalized upper throat, nasal or sinus conditions. Based upon the longetivity of your symptoms I would strongly recommend a consultation with an ears, nose, and throat specialist if you have not already done so. Food allergy or other environmental allergies are certainly potential factors amongst many others in chronic eustachian tube dysfunction. Please refer to the "Review previous consultations" section under eustachian tube or dysfunctional eustachian tube for further discussions of this problem.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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