[31F] With blocked ear, throat pain, and sinus congestion post-antibiotics

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms you've described—blocked ear, muffled hearing, mild stabbing throat pain, yellow or green phlegm, nasal congestion, facial tenderness, and a headache on the right side of your head—it seems likely that your condition is related to one or more of the following:

1. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD):
   This occurs when the tube connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat becomes blocked, often due to sinus congestion or inflammation. It can cause a sensation of ear fullness, muffled hearing, and sometimes mild pain. ETD is common after sinus infections or colds.

2. Unresolved or Recurrent Sinus Infection (Sinusitis):
   Since you recently had a chronic sinus infection treated with antibiotics, it’s possible that the infection didn’t fully clear or has returned. Sinus infections can cause nasal congestion, facial tenderness, yellow or green phlegm, and headaches. The blocked ear and muffled hearing could be due to fluid buildup in the sinuses affecting the ears.

3. Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media):
   If fluid has accumulated behind your eardrum due to sinus congestion, it can lead to a middle ear infection. This might explain the blocked ear, muffled hearing, and possibly the headache.

4. Postnasal Drip and Throat Irritation:
   The yellow or green phlegm and nasal congestion suggest ongoing inflammation or infection in your sinuses. This can lead to postnasal drip, which might irritate your throat and cause the stabbing pain when swallowing.

5. Sinus-Related Headache:
   The headache on the right side of your head could be due to sinus pressure or inflammation, which is common with sinus infections.

Typical Treatments or Testing:

• A doctor may recommend a nasal endoscopy or imaging (like a CT scan) to evaluate your sinuses and ears.
• If an infection is suspected, they might prescribe a different antibiotic or recommend decongestants, nasal sprays, or antihistamines.
• For ETD or middle ear infections, treatment may include decongestants, nasal steroids, or in some cases, ear drops.

What you can do

Here are some steps you can take to help relieve your symptoms and support your recovery:

1. Relieve Nasal Congestion:

   • Use a saline nasal spray or perform a saline rinse (e.g., with a neti pot) to clear mucus and reduce inflammation.
   • Consider an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray (like oxymetazoline) for short-term relief, but don’t use it for more than 3 days to avoid rebound congestion.

2. Reduce Ear Blockage:

   • Try yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum to help open your Eustachian tubes.
   • Use a warm compress over the affected ear to relieve discomfort.

3. Soothe Throat Pain:

   • Gargle with warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt in 8 oz of water) 2–3 times daily.
   • Stay hydrated and drink warm fluids like tea with honey to soothe your throat.

4. Manage Headache and Facial Tenderness:

   • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to reduce pain and inflammation.
   • Apply a warm compress to your face to relieve sinus pressure.

5. Track Your Symptoms:

   • Use MDandMe to journal your symptoms daily, including any changes in your ear blockage, throat pain, or headache. This can help you and your doctor monitor your progress.

What you should look out for

While your symptoms are not immediately life-threatening, there are certain signs that may require more urgent medical attention:

1. Worsening Symptoms:

   • If your ear pain or hearing loss becomes severe.
   • If your headache worsens or becomes debilitating.

2. Signs of a Serious Infection:

   • High fever (over 100.4°F) or chills.
   • Swelling or redness around your eyes or face.
   • Persistent yellow or green nasal discharge for more than 10 days.

3. Other Concerning Symptoms:

   • Dizziness, balance issues, or ringing in your ears.
   • Vision changes or severe facial pain.

If any of these occur, or if your symptoms persist despite trying the above measures, I recommend seeing a healthcare provider. They may need to evaluate you for complications like a middle ear infection, unresolved sinus infection, or other conditions.

Take care, Natasha, and I hope you feel better soon! Let me know if you need further assistance.