dear doctor.. i have suffered from the following symptoms for about 3 yrs.
last year i had my tonsils out.
1. cracking in my ears, especially in the morning and loud noises makes my
ears crack
2. tightness in throat, along with a sore or stiff neck and a tight jaw.
mucous in my nose and dripping in my throat
i went to 2 ent and the second one recomended that i have my tonsils removed.
also i took a rast test and it was found that i do have allergies, to food
and they are seasonal..
i now take claritin and a weekly allergy shot.
each doctor that looked me over found no reason why my neck would be stiff or
have tightness. there was blood tests done along with many examinations...
they found no swollen lymph nodes. yet i dont have a reason why i suffer
from those symptoms..
my ears crack more in the morning and the mucous in my nose seems to go
right to my throat in which i have to spit it out.
i really need some advice.. i do also suffer from stress which causes
anxiety... i saw a therapist who told me that what i feel can be caused bt
stress... sometimes i believe it but the symptoms are so real... and since i
had my tonsils, which at the time were very infected and had many crypts i
dont feel that much of different, although i do feel better..
every doctor i see tells me the same thing, im healthy young {28} and that
everything is ok, but yet i still feel the symptoms... can you pls give me a
logical reason why?
pls pls advise
Reply: ---------------------------
I am assuming you are primarily asking what would be causing your ear symptoms. The description of your symptom ("cracking" in the ears) would suggest eustachian tube dysfunction. In adults, chronic eustachian tube dysfunction may be related to allergic conditions, environmental irritants, upper respiratory infections, sinus or nasal conditions, etc. In order to diagnose the condition, a careful examination of the ears, nose, and throat is necessary with particular attention paid to examining the nasopharynx (that part of the throat above the soft palate) as well as the nasal passages. Audiometric testing including tympanograms are performed to measure hearing and to assess eustachian tube function. Sinus x-rays and allergy testing may also be performed. Obviously, any abnormal finding that could be associated with the bothersome symptom would need to be addressed. Occasionally, no specific cause for this type of symptom is found and furthermore, there may be relatively little in the way of objective findings. Outside of addressing specific potential factors that might be identified on examination and testing such as allergies, sinusitis, rhinitis, a deviated nasal septum, etc., it is often reasonable to try topical nasal steroid sprays such as Beconase, Flonase, Rhinocort, Vancenase, etc. over a several week period. It is also usually helpful to try and "pop" the ears by plugging one's nose and gently blowing without letting the air escape.
--
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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