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How to relieve discomfort with nasal spray? The latest treatment for Eustachian tube insufficiency is revealed!
Eustachian tube insufficiency is a physical disorder in which the normally closed Eustachian tubes intermittently remain open. This condition often results in the patient hearing self-generated sounds, such as breathing, voice and heartbeat, transmitted directly to the eardrum, creating a "bucket on the head" effect, making it difficult to focus on the surrounding environmental sounds. According to statistics, approximately 1% of the population is affected by Eustachian tube insufficiency.
Symptoms and signs
When a patient has Eustachian tube insufficiency, changes in upper airway pressure caused by breathing will be transmitted to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, causing an uncomfortable feeling of fullness in the middle ear and changes in auditory perception. Current testing has found that patients often complain of muffled hearing and hearing their own voices, which is very unpleasant.
"In this case, the patient's voice or echo in the ear seems to be intensified, causing a disturbing experience."
Causes
The exact causes of Eustachian tube insufficiency vary and are often elusive, but weight loss is a common culprit, accounting for around a third of cases. Fat tissue normally helps keep the Eustachian tube closed in healthy individuals, but when total body fat decreases, the tissue surrounding the Eustachian tube shrinks, impairing its function.
In addition to weight loss, other possible causes include dehydrating behaviors (such as caffeine, strenuous exercise), hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, and certain neuropathy. It is worth noting that the direct relationship between these possible causes and Eustachian tube insufficiency remains to be further explored in current research.
Diagnostic Methods
To diagnose Eustachian tube insufficiency, doctors can examine the eardrum, which vibrates with every breath. Further testing, such as a tympanogram, can also aid in the diagnosis.
"If rapid inspiration results in significant pressure changes, the likelihood of Eustachian tube insufficiency is high."
Treatment methods
Treatments for Eustachian tube insufficiency include the use of steroid nasal sprays or saturated potassium iodide to induce swelling of the Eustachian tube opening. Some nasal medications containing diluted hydrochloric acid, chlorobutanol, and phenylethyl alcohol are also well received, although these drugs have yet to be approved in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
In extreme cases, surgery may attempt to repair the Eustachian tube tissue or even use fat or other materials to close it. However, the success rate of these methods is not high, and early cases of Teflon injections were discontinued due to certain adverse events. In contrast, surgery to place a ventilating tube in the ear drum has proven to be an effective treatment option, with approximately 50% of patients reporting relief of symptoms of Eustachian tube insufficiency.
"Although surgery may provide short-term relief, its long-term effects need to be carefully evaluated."
Patients with Eustachian tube insufficiency are experiencing a silent struggle. How to find a suitable solution in life and balance health and comfort remains one of the challenges facing modern medicine. Although this disease is uncommon, it is enough to affect the quality of life of many people. Faced with such challenges, what other solutions can patients seek?
