Tubal catarrh – causes, complaints & therapy

In tubal catarrh, the Eustachian tube is inflamed, causing those affected to suffer from negative pressure in the middle ear. The Eustachian tube is a connecting duct between the throat and middle ear and is also known as the auricular tube or tube. The main function of the Eustachian tube is to balance the pressure between the middle ear and the surrounding area. Usually, the auricular tube is closed and is opened only when yawning or swallowing. In addition, with the help of the Eustachian tube, pathogens are also transported from the middle ear to the nasopharynx.

If the tube is inflamed, it closes and a vacuum is created. In most cases, the disease occurs as part of a cold, but it can also become chronic, which is then referred to as tympanic effusion. Other causes that favor negative pressure are flying and diving, in this case referred to as barotrauma.

Causes

A tubal catarrh occurs very often in the course of a cold. If the patients then suffer from inflammation in the middle ear, throat or nose, the pathogens also spread in the Eustachian tube, resulting in tubal catarrh. Children have a very high risk of tubal catarrh because the Eustachian tube is still shortened and therefore more vulnerable.In addition, small children also very often suffer from polyps, which also promotes tubal catarrh. A tubal ventilation disorder can also lead to a massive hearing impairment. As a result, children’s speech comprehension can be severely impaired, so the establishment of normal tube ventilation is absolutely necessary. Sometimes the disease also occurs in the course of hay fever. In allergic reactions, watery nasal secretions are also secreted, which can subsequently lead to tubal catarrh. Other risk factors include active and passive smoking.

Symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of tubal catarrh:

• Feeling of pressure in the ear

• Ringing in the ears

• Earache

• Cold

• Hearing disorders

• Vertigo

• Sore throat

Patients suffering from tubal catarrh complain of a feeling of pressure in the ear, ringing in the ears and hearing impairment. Furthermore, dizziness, runny nose, sinus infections and sore throat also occur. Those affected can perceive pulsation or noise and hear voices or noises only muffled. In chronic tubal catarrh, those affected also suffer from increased or persistent hearing loss.

Diagnosis

If those affected suffer from stabbing pain in the area of the middle ear, this is an indication of a tubal catarrh. The pain is less severe than with a middle ear infection. In some cases, there is also impaired hearing and fluid leaks from the ear. Some patients also suffer from cracking sounds.

For a diagnosis, the doctor examines the ear canal with an otoscope. In many adults, tubal catarrh heals even without special treatment. If this is not the case, it could possibly become chronic and lead to hearing loss.

treatment and therapy

Nose drops are usually prescribed to treat tubal catarrh . The following are also suitable for treatment:

• Glucocorticoid nasal sprays

• Sympathomimetics such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine to inhibit secretion or reduce swelling

• Anti- inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac or ibuprofen

• Antibiotics if there is also a middle ear infection

• Painkillers such as acetaminophen

• Mucolytics such as bromhexine for mucus solution

• Nasal rinses with sea water or saline solution

In naturopathy, steam baths with Swedish herbs or essential oils are also used for this purpose . Heat treatments or inhalations are also helpful. Also, doctors recommend doing mechanical exercises to help loosen the congestion present in the ear. For this purpose, the mouth and nose are covered and the patients try to blow out the air. This creates pressure so that the mucus can drain better. This exercise should be performed once an hour in case of tube catarrh.

Another treatment option is the Politzer procedure. The right nostril is closed with a so-called olive and the other nostril is closed. Then the patient has to say a word in which the consonant K occurs several times, as this closes the palate to the epipharynx. The pressure in the epipharynx is then increased with the help of a rubber balloon and the ear is ventilated.If the inflammation does not heal, the doctor often performs a small operation. To do this, he scratches the eardrum under local anesthesia so that the inflammation can heal. In children, this procedure is usually performed under Anesthesia . In the case of chronic tube catarrh, the doctor sometimes uses a so-called tympanostomy tube. This is a fine metal or plastic tube that ventilates the middle ear from the outside. The tube is then rejected by the body by itself after about six to twelve months.

Prevention

To prevent tube catarrh, a healthy lifestyle is recommended in the cold season. If an infection is already present, you should not blow too hard when blowing your nose, otherwise the pathogens can get into the Eustachian tube more easily. Smokers should reduce their cigarette consumption.