Concerns Over My Grandma's Longstanding Ear and Nasal Issues
Greetings, everyone. My mother and I find ourselves at a bit of a loss, so I’ve come here in hopes of gainful advice: My grandmother, who is 82, holds a significant place in both our hearts. We are increasingly alarmed by her ongoing difficulties with her ears and nose, which appear to be deteriorating over time. We suspect that these issues may have initiated prior to the COVID pandemic, following a visit from my aunt, who was severely ill—possibly with COVID, although that was never verified. Shortly after her visit, my grandmother became unwell, and we believe her current symptoms began around that period; however, this is merely our theory and not substantiated by concrete evidence. Presently, her conditions are persistent and seem to be getting worse. She frequently experiences a sensation of blockage in her ears and expresses difficulty hearing because of this issue. Additionally, her nose feels perpetually congested, resembling the sensation of having a persistent cold, leading to frequent sniffles. Here are the specifics of her symptoms: - Ears that feel consistently “full” or “blocked” — at times affecting one ear or both. - Muffled hearing attributed to the sensation of blockage. - A noticeable change in her voice when her ears feel blocked — we can discern a difference, and she frequently reports hearing her own voice echoing in her mind. - Chronic nasal congestion. We consulted an ENT specialist who suggested the possibility of chronic inflammation, but this has yet to be confirmed. Unfortunately, none of the treatments have yielded any relief thus far. Recently, the doctor prescribed antihistamines (Fixit) to address potential allergies, along with Nasonex nasal spray for her congestion. Despite two weeks of treatment, we have seen no improvement. Could anyone share insights on what might be causing these issues and how we might find a solution? The continuous sensations of clogged ears and a congested nose profoundly impact my grandmother's quality of life, and she has started to feel quite down because of it. I genuinely appreciate any assistance you may offer. Thank you!
Answers (1)
8/14/2025, 8:02:34 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother's ongoing struggles with her ear and nasal issues. It's understandable to be concerned given how these symptoms are affecting her quality of life, and I appreciate your proactive approach in seeking help. Let's break down her situation and discuss potential next steps.
Main Points:
Your grandmother may be experiencing chronic ear and nasal congestion due to several factors, potentially including chronic inflammation, allergies, or other underlying conditions. Since recent treatments haven't provided relief, it’s key to explore additional strategies and adjustments.
Explanation:
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Blocked Ears & Hearing Changes: The sensation of fullness in the ears, along with muffled hearing, may result from fluid build-up or Eustachian tube dysfunction. The Eustachian tubes help balance pressure in the ears, and dysfunction can lead to disturbances similar to what your grandmother experiences.
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Nasal Congestion: Chronic nasal congestion can occur due to various reasons, including allergies, sinusitis, or structural issues (like nasal polyps). The medication prescribed (antihistamines and a nasal spray) typically helps with allergies, but they might not address all causes of her congestion.
Next Steps:
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Symptom Tracking: Encourage your grandmother to maintain a simple journal of her symptoms, noting when they are better or worse. This could help identify any patterns linked to her activities, diet, or environmental factors (like dust or pollen).
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Review Current Medications: Since she hasn’t seen improvement, it may be beneficial to revisit the ENT specialist for a follow-up. They might consider adjusting her current medications or exploring alternative courses of treatment, like further allergy testing or imaging studies (like a CT scan of the sinuses) to better understand her condition.
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Steam Inhalation: Encourage her to try steam inhalation at home. This can help relieve nasal congestion and may also aid in sinus drainage, offering symptomatic relief.
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Saline Nasal Rinse: A saline nasal rinse (using a neti pot or saline spray) can help clear out mucus and allergens from her nasal passages. This can especially aid in long-term management of nasal congestion.
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Allergy Considerations: If allergies remain suspected, consider discussing with the ENT specialist the potential for intranasal steroid treatment or even allergy immunotherapy, depending on the findings.
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Emotional Support: Lastly, it’s important to address her emotional well-being. Chronic discomfort can lead to feelings of frustration or down-spiritedness. Encourage her to engage in enjoyable activities or social interactions to help improve her mood.
By focusing on these steps, you can provide her with some immediate relief and a clearer pathway to potentially resolving her ongoing symptoms. Please feel free to reach out if you have further questions or need additional information.
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