Is there a problem with my ear?
Age: 30 years Height: 5'2" Weight: 113 lbs **Health Background:** - Conditions: lupus, high blood pressure, glaucoma, instances of spontaneous vertebral artery dissections (one in 2023, another in June 2025), ADHD, depression. - Current Medications: azathioprine (100 mg), hydroxychloroquine (400 mg), metoprolol (100 mg), losartan (100 mg), spironolactone (25 mg), bupropion (125 mg), aspirin (81 mg), and adderall (15 mg). About a week ago, I had several dental fillings done on my left side, and I’ve been experiencing some lingering discomfort in my teeth. Just yesterday, I began to notice an earache on the corresponding side, which has been quite bothersome. Despite taking ibuprofen, the pain continues, and I’m uncertain whether the discomfort in my ear is a result of dental issues or if it's arising from the ear itself. I’d prefer to avoid visiting urgent care or scheduling another appointment if it turns out that nothing significant is wrong with my ear. This afternoon, I'm not feeling my best. I might be coming down with something since I've been feeling exhausted and have experienced intermittent nausea throughout the day. I have taken Zofran and ibuprofen to manage the nausea and ear pain, yet I still feel somewhat queasy. Additionally, I’ve got a bit of a headache. I plan to head to bed once my husband returns home. With that said, is there anything concerning about my ear in the pictures provided in the comments? From my perspective, it seems fine, but I'm obviously not an expert in medical matters.
Answers (1)
9/15/2025, 9:21:14 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are dealing with a combination of ear pain and discomfort following dental work, accompanied by feelings of exhaustion and nausea. Let's break this down into key points and offer clear next steps.
Key Points:
- Earache Following Dental Work: This could be related to referred pain from dental issues or an issue within the ear itself.
- Symptoms of Exhaustion and Nausea: These could be signs of an underlying infection or simply from the stress of dental procedures and medications.
- Current Health Conditions: Given your lupus and other chronic conditions, it's important to monitor your symptoms closely.
Explanation:
- Dental Influences: Dental work can sometimes lead to discomfort in nearby areas, including the ear, due to nerve pathways. If the fillings are not settling well or there's residual inflammation, this may explain the earache.
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: Sometimes, discomfort can be due to a blocked Eustachian tube, which can happen after dental procedures due to swelling or pressure changes.
- Potential Infections or Illness: Feeling nauseous and exhausted might indicate an infection, especially if the ear pain is persistent and you're experiencing other flu-like symptoms.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your ear pain and any additional symptoms. If the earache or accompanying symptoms worsen (e.g., high fever, increased pain, drainage from the ear, or hearing loss), this warrants immediate attention.
- Hydration and Rest: Ensure you stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. This will help your body recover from any potential infection or stress from the dental work.
- Pain Management: Continue taking ibuprofen for pain, but ensure you follow the recommended dosage. If that does not help over the next 24-48 hours, consider evaluating whether you need to change pain relief strategies.
- Gentle Warm Compress: Applying a warm compress to the affected ear might provide some relief and encourage drainage if there is fluid buildup.
- Further Assessment: If your nausea persists or if you notice new symptoms, consider reaching out for a more specific evaluation. You may also benefit from a follow-up with your dentist regarding the fillings, particularly if the pain increases or doesn't improve.
Listening to your body is key, especially with your existing health conditions. Take care and make sure to give yourself the time to recover. If you have any additional questions or need more clarification, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Concerns About Angular Cheilitis
I’m a 23-year-old woman with no history of smoking, and I’m seeking assistance regarding a health issue. Back in January, I experienced angular cheilitis three times, each episode involving a minor crack at the corner of my mouth that healed within a few days. Following the last occurrence, I became quite anxious due to saliva accumulation in that area. I found myself frequently brushing my finger along that spot. After a few days, I observed a small area forming that appeared white and had a rough texture. Eventually, I realized it was not just a coincidence, and I started taking action, but only after it became noticeably larger. To address it, I cleaned the area with a mix of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. I’m uncertain about what this issue could be, but I’ve recently begun using over-the-counter Clotrimazole cream while also keeping the area moisturized with either lanolin or petroleum jelly. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’m concerned as it seems to be expanding. The patch continues to be rough and excessively dry. Although I can open my mouth wide without any cracks forming, I do feel tension in the skin, similar to having a bandage over that location. At times, I experience a burning sensation after thorough washing, and I’ve noticed tiny red spots appearing on the outer edges of the patch sporadically.
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.
Mass on the Glottis
Patient Details: 63-year-old male, height 165 cm, weight 66 kg, Asian descent. Lifestyle Factors: No history of smoking or alcohol consumption. Medical History: Diagnosed with asthma and angina. Current Medications: Uses a Symbicort inhaler and takes Concor tablets. Main Concern: A mass was detected during a gastroendoscopy carried out a year ago. There is no report of pain, but the patient experiences mild hoarseness. What might be the diagnosis?
Understanding My Experiences with Dissociation and Physical Symptoms
Hello everyone! I'm 15 years old and I’ve been grappling with intense feelings of dissociation recently. About two years back, I experienced what I now refer to as a "silent seizure" for the first time. It happened around 2 PM while I was at school in the band hall. Suddenly, I found myself zoning out completely; I was just sitting there, disassociated from reality, until it dawned on me that I couldn’t seem to reconnect with my surroundings. Feeling lost, I turned to a friend and anxiously asked, "Where am I?" She chuckled, unaware of the seriousness of my situation, but I stood up and wandered out of the classroom, aimlessly walking towards the bathrooms. The sensation was akin to being in a dream—you know you’re somewhere, yet you can’t fully engage with the moment for what felt like 5 to 10 minutes. Strangely, I even had the feeling of observing myself from above as I moved through the halls, like a scene from a dream. In a state of panic, I contacted my mom. By the time I managed to leave school, my mind was clearing. She took me to her workplace where a colleague checked my blood sugar levels, revealing it was low. I had eaten that day, so this was unexpected (especially since my mother also faces issues with low blood sugar). This occurrence was unprecedented for me; thankfully, I haven’t faced such low levels since then. In the following weeks, I experienced intermittent dissociative episodes, prompting me to visit a doctor. I underwent blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a routine examination. Everything appeared normal, except I was diagnosed with anemia—something my mother and sister also deal with. I walked away from that appointment without any real explanations, and after a while, the episodes subsided—thankfully, a relief. FAST FORWARD TO NOW: (15 years old) (Potentially relevant context) Recently, I’ve been enduring severe heart and chest discomfort. I’ve been noticing irregular heartbeats, sporadic strong pulsations, and sharp pain localized in my heart region and upper right chest. Lying on my side can be quite painful, and sometimes I struggle to take deep breaths. I make it a priority to get a full eight hours of sleep each night, I take daily vitamins, and I’m actively involved in competitive cheerleading, maintaining a healthy fitness level for my height and weight. We sought medical advice again, underwent numerous tests, and, once more, everything checked out fine. My heart was deemed healthy, and all other measurements were satisfactory. Initially, we suspected anxiety might be a factor, but my mom is hesitant to consider antidepressants, believing that my age may limit treatment options. She has recommended that I hydrate more and practice breathing exercises (which is somewhat ironic since I struggle to breathe when these pains occur, yet I don’t argue). UPDATE: During practice today, I unexpectedly experienced my first "silent seizure" episode in two years. It was more disconcerting than I recalled. I lost track of my location again and couldn’t re-engage with reality. It felt as if I was observing those around me from a dream-like vantage point. This realization frightened me, thinking that I had moved past these episodes. It took about ten minutes for me to regain my awareness of my environment. Additionally, this week, I noticed moments of dissociation, albeit not as intense as previous episodes. I found myself vacantly staring, and my vision felt oddly lazy, frequently. It's worth noting that I do not have a lazy eye. I plan to document these occurrences meticulously, and if they persist, I will consult my doctor again. Meanwhile, if anyone has suggestions about what might be happening to me, I would greatly appreciate it. Is this potentially linked to anxiety? I’m genuinely confused about my condition!
Identifying a Mysterious Brown Circle on My Scalp
Age: 21 Gender: Female Height: 5'4" Weight: 175 lbs Ethnicity: White (Scottish/Irish) Location: California Current Medication: Testosterone injection administered subcutaneously in the thigh While I was having my hair dyed blue, my girlfriend noticed a perfectly circular brown mark on my scalp. It resembles a circle that appears to have been made with a brown marker. The size of the ring is similar to my thumb’s tip and contrasts sharply with the lighter shade of my scalp. There is no evidence of hair thinning or loss around this circle; we only discovered it because we were parting my hair. I’m curious if this could be connected to the brain fog or headaches I’ve been experiencing lately. I looked online, and while ringworm was suggested, it doesn’t match my symptoms since there are no bald patches or flaky skin. I’m open to answering any additional questions to help clarify this situation, as it's causing me some concern.