My ear ringing worsens when I bend. What to consider?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 32-year-old female who is obese and catches colds easily. Since last month, I have been taking raw fenugreek seeds on an empty stomach and exercising. Last month, I had ice cream at night but did not catch a cold.

However, starting the next day, whenever I bent down, I felt a ringing sensation in my ears, as if something was blocking them.

After two days, I began hearing a rhythmic sound similar to my heartbeat, which then became continuous. I visited the doctor, who said the cold or water might have caused the blockage.

He prescribed some medication, which reduced the sound, but it started again today after I did some bending work. I have only heard this sound in the past two weeks, and it worsens when I bend down.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Ear blockage, ringing, or unstimulated sound in the ear after a cold happens due to eustachian tube (ET) blockage. ET connects the middle ear with the back of the nose and serves to equalize pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane and also drains the secretions from the middle ear into the back of the nose.

After a cold, the opening of the tube at the back of the nose may get blocked due to inflammation or congestion, leading to failure of air pressure equalization and build-up of fluid in the middle ear. You need nasal and systemic decongestants and probably some mucolytics with steam inhalation.

The increased blockage or sound in the ear while bending may be due to more pressure built up inside the ear due to gravity and increased blood flow.

I hope this has helped you. Please feel free to reach me again in case of further queries.

Thank you.