Question 1

I've had my ears blocked for the past 4 days, and I think it might be due to a cold I had. Not completely sure, though. It sometimes feels like there's water or some fluid in there, and occasionally, when I sneeze, the blockage goes away for a few seconds, but then it comes back. There's a little pain too, which is why I've been taking oxalgin tablets and using drep ear drops. What could be causing this, and should I be doing something different?

Accepted Answer

It sounds like you may be experiencing Eustachian tube dysfunction due to your recent cold. To help relieve the blockage and pain in your ears, I recommend taking a decongestant like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) to help reduce the swelling in the Eustachian tubes. You can also try using a nasal spray like Afrin (oxymetazoline) to further reduce congestion. Additionally, continue using the Otrivin ear drops for relief. Make sure to follow the recommended dosage instructions for each medication. If your symptoms persist or worsen, it would be best to consult with an ENT specialist for further evaluation and management.

Question 2

I've been dealing with some sinus issues since I got the Covishield shot about a week ago, and it's got me worried. You see, I've had this sinus pain, there's a lot of white and yellow mucus, and it sometimes hurts around my upper jaw and between my eyes. Oddly, the pain seems to ease up in the morning but gets worse after eating. There are times when I have headaches on either side of my head, just above the ears, and my nose gets blocked too. I've tried steam inhalation with Karvol capsules, and while it helps for a bit, it doesn't last. I'm also using Otrivin for daily nasal wash, but the relief's so short-lived. I met an ENT specialist a couple of months ago for a precautionary checkup about mucormycosis because of my worries, but my KOH test came back negative, and I don't have diabetes. But they did find four nasal polyps through endoscopy. I'm curious to know if the vaccine could be causing these sinus issues or if it's related to something else?

Accepted Answer

It sounds like you may be experiencing sinusitis, which can be triggered by various factors including viral infections like COVID-19, allergies, or nasal polyps. In your case, the development of sinus symptoms after receiving the Covishield vaccine may be coincidental rather than directly related to the vaccine itself. To help alleviate your symptoms, I recommend taking a course of antibiotics such as Amoxicillin-Clavulanate for the sinus infection. Additionally, you can use a nasal corticosteroid spray like Fluticasone to reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. For nasal polyps, you can try using a nasal corticosteroid spray as well, but if they are large or causing significant symptoms, surgical removal may be necessary. It's important to continue steam inhalation with Karvpul capsules for relief and Otrivin nasal wash for temporary relief. Make sure to follow up with your ENT specialist for further evaluation and management of your sinus issues.

Question 3

I'm having this crackling noise in my left ear for a while now and it's starting to worry me. I went for an audiometry test and they said everything's normal, but I still can't shake the feeling that something's off. It's especially bad when I use my phone on that sideI can hear things but they sound muffled and unclear. Plus, there's this constant tinnitus that's been bothering me. What could be going on?

Accepted Answer

The crackling noise, muffled hearing, and tinnitus in your left ear, despite normal audiometry results, suggest possible conditions like Eustachian tube dysfunction, patulous Eustachian tube, or middle ear myoclonus; consider consulting an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist

You seem to be suffering from acute pharyngo-tonsillitis which is a common type of throat infection. You may need to take antibiotics and painkillers along with antiseptic mouth gargle for few days for faster recovery

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