How To Safely Drain Fluid From Your Middle Ear At Home
By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 1, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 1, 2024Table of Contents
The fluid build-up in your middle ear might seem trivial. But did you know it can affect our hearing and balance? We have some good news, though! Addressing this minor glitch could be simpler than you think.
Numerous methods, like leveraging gravity or making a vacuum, are popular. Whether you’re just curious or actually affected, we’ve got you, the best advice would be to reach out to an ENT Specialist.
Understanding how important ear conditions are can be insightful indeed, especially for our faculties of hearing and balance.
Ear fluid can play a huge role in our life. How? By seriously reducing our ability to hear. And by tossing our balance out of whack. This makes simple movements, like strolling, surprisingly tricky.
The immune system kicks in, allergies, viral attacks, and even a common cold can lead to fluid. These events can cause the Eustachian tubes to swell up. And what’s next? They block up, leading to fluid collection.
Fluid in the ear is a common condition that does not always need to be treated. But if the fluid is sticky or thick or blood-stained, please make sure to visit an ENT specialist to examine the ear and provide a solution to the problem.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
Did You Know?
Knowing how to ease situations like ear fluid needs basic ear knowledge. The human ear consists of three parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear.
Here’s what the outer ear does. It works with waves of sound first and sends them deep inside the ear.
Next up is the middle ear. It has an eardrum and small bones. It picks up the sound waves and changes them into vibrations.
Last, we have the inner ear. It changes these vibrations into signals. And sends these signals to the brain.
Usually, any fluid made in the middle ear drains into the throat. It goes through the Eustachian tube. Thus, keeping the ear free of any blockage.
But when the Eustachian tubes get blocked, problems start. This can happen due to infection, allergies, or more. What happens then? Well, fluid can’t drain, and so it collects. This is known as middle ear fluid.
Before we move to home remedies, here’s an easy table. It plainly lays out the problem, cause, and likely outcome.
Never try to insert anything inside ear. Incase of fluid build-up, an ENT will prescribe appropriate medications and drain the fluid if needed.
Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Also Read: Sweet Oil For Ears: An Evidence-Based Take On This Old Remedy
Knowledge about the root cause of middle ear fluid is important. Now, let’s look at some home remedies. Mind you, these are preliminary steps only. They don’t replace visiting a medical professional.
A simple earlobe jiggle can help a lot. It makes the Eustachian tubes work. They open up and let the fluid leak out.
Just hold the earlobe gently. Then move it up and down slowly. Remember, be gentle. You don’t want to damage your ear.
Gravity can be your best friend for this issue. By lying the right way, gravity pulls the fluid down. It smartly guides the fluid out of the middle ear.
Simply lie down with the affected ear facing down. Look how gravity does all the work for you!
How can a vacuum help? By dragging the fluid out of the middle ear.
Cover the affected ear with your palm. Push and pull it away from the ear quickly. Repeat several times.
Simple ear drops or sprays from a pharmacy can soften the wax. This helps to drain the fluid. But use them only after consulting the doctor.
Drop a bit of the solution into the affected ear. Lie down like this for a few minutes.
Steam can fight the swelling of the Eustachian tubes. This allows the fluid to exit.
Breathe in the steam from a hot shower. Or from boiling water poured into a bowl. Be careful not to burn yourself.
Salty, warm water reduces swelling. This helps the fluid drain.
Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Gargle for a few minutes, and spit out the solution. Don’t swallow it.
A myringotomy is a procedure to create a hole in the ear drum to allow fluid that is trapped in the middle ear to drain out. The fluid may be blood, pus and/or water. However this is done by otorhinolaryngologist.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)
Home remedies are popular but doctors do not suggest trying anything at home. Always consult an ENT Specialist for problems related to your ear.
To handle very bad ear pain, a health professional can help.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics. This is if the fluid in the middle ear is from a bacterial attack. Remember to finish the course. Even if you feel good before it’s done.
Long-term or repeat cases may need surgery, such as ear tubes, tympanostomy tubes, or myringotomy. These make a small hole in the eardrum. It lets the fluid be sucked out. Or it stops fluid from collecting.
Preventing is better than treating. So, knowing how to skip middle ear fluid triggers can save pain, and money.
Switch to a more healthy way of living. Clean often, eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough rest. This can greatly help your immune system. And ensure the correct functioning of the Eustachian tubes. Frequent check-ups with your doctor can also help prevent middle ear fluid.
Also Read: How to Get Water Out of Your Ear: Safe and Effective Methods Explored
Handling middle ear fluid can be quite a breeze! With just a few home tricks. Like shaking your earlobe or using a warm cloth. You will feel much better.
However, always remember this. Home treatments do not replace expert help. Especially when problems linger or worsen. After all, your health is important. It deserves the care and skill of a professional. Therefore, you need a balance. A mix of good home care and apt professional support. You can manage your or your child’s ear fluid in an efficient way!
A: Regular cleaning will stop wax from building up. But it won’t stop fluid from other causes like the common cold or an allergy.
A: Incase of any discomfort or symptoms indicating a problem related to the ear, consult a doctor without delay.
A: Water in the ear doesn’t make fluids gather in the middle ear. But it could lead to an outer ear infection which mimics middle ear symptoms.
A: Intense ear pain, high fever, and worsening symptoms call for medical attention.
A: Most kids bounce back from middle ear fluid just fine. But repeated infections could potentially damage hearing. Always talk to a doctor if conditions continue or get worse.
A: Easy remedies like a warm cloth or ear drops are safe for kids. However, they don’t replace proper medical steps. Always talk to a doctor if conditions continue or get worse.
The information given here is intended to inform and should not take the place of professional healthcare advice.
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