There’s a physical connection between the sinuses and the middle ear indirectly through the eustachian tubes. These structures are normally air-filled, so this connection keeps air pressure equal throughout. When your ears pop with changes in altitude, that’s the pressure equalization system in action.
This connection also means that, during illness, this connection can be interrupted. While sinusitis and middle ear infections are two separate conditions, the space they share means that there’s plenty of interaction and influence between the sinuses and ears.
When you’re struggling with persistent ear infections or sinusitis, visit us at Lawrence Otolaryngology Associates in Lawrence and Ottawa, Kansas. Our ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists can diagnose and treat the source cause of your infections.
Normally, your sinuses are filled with air. Allergies, bacterial infections, and viral infections can cause the lining of your sinuses to inflame. Mucus is made within the sinuses and normally drains through connected passageways.
When sinus lining tissue swells, these passageways become less effective in training mucus, which can displace air, causing the familiar feeling of sinus congestion. The presence of excess mucus in the sinuses can create a breeding ground for bacteria, starting a spiral effect that keeps you stuffed up.
When you have a middle ear infection, conditions are similar to those in sinus infections. The normally dry environs of the middle ear become filled with mucus and fluids that don’t drain as they usually would through the eustachian tubes.
Reasons for swelling in the eustachian tubes and middle ear are also similar to sinusitis, and bacteria and viruses are usually the infecting agents in the clogged conditions in the middle ear.
Along with the similarities in the infections, there’s interaction between the conditions that’s causal, meaning that one infection can contribute to the start of the other.
When your sinuses are congested and swollen, the eustachian tubes may become blocked, causing fluid backup and infection in the middle ear. Bacterial and viral pathogens may spread to the inner ear, causing a second incidence of the same infection.
The reverse is also true. An infection that starts in the middle ear can spread to the sinuses as well as reducing drainage by blocking the eustachian tubes.
In essence, the eustachian tube is both a physical and infective connection that links the middle ear to the sinuses.
Breaking the cycle of infection is usually the key to clearing up these infections. When the problem is triggered by allergies, this means waiting for pollen levels to subside. Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription antihistamines may help.
Bacterial infections can result from any congestive problem, since bacteria thrive in congested conditions. Bacterial growth can take over from the original problem, creating a chronic ear or sinus infection. Bacterial infections typically require treatment with antibiotics to break the cycle.
Viral infections eventually clear up on their own, and there’s no effective medical treatment to speed the process. Fortunately, viral infections usually clear in 10 to 14 days. OTC decongestants may provide symptomatic relief.
Contact Lawrence Otolaryngology Associates when your sinusitis and/or ear infection persist or cause severe symptoms. Book your appointment with our nearest office, online or by phone, today.
