Blocked eustachian tubes

[Dave]

Hi Shelley,

I've been trying various treatments for a tension headache problem I've had since March this year. I've ruled out any kind of lesion via CT and MRI scans plus I've also been seeing a naturopath. Thus far, no real improvement.

One angle I'd like to check out is the fact that my ears have felt blocked for quite some time - probably a couple of years - but the feeling has been more pronounced in recent times. I think the original cause may have been the amount of flights I was taking as part of my job but not sure about that. I haven't been travelling much at all this year.

Anyway, I've had a few ear candling sessions and apparently my outer ear canal is fairly clear. I think the problem is probably with my eustachian tubes. My GP suggested an over the counter hayfever treatment to clear up mucous but it had no effect so I discontinued after a few days as it claimed to provide rapid relief.

Can you suggest any treatments for clearing my eustachian tubes?

Thx,

Dave

[shelley]

I don't recommend anything that "clears up mucus" unless you have a terrible cold. Drying up those mucus membranes does them no good! They are supposed to be moist.

Have you gotten one of those Sinucleanse things or Neti pots yet? Often the ear tubes get blocked because our sinuses are not draining properly, so that is something that needs to be addressed if you're going to be thorough about this.

If you're sure it's a tension headache and not migraine then hot compresses of Epsom salts at the back of the neck are a great way of taking headaches away.

[Dave]

Hi Shelley,

I tried Sinucleanse a few weeks ago but it didn't have any effect. I don't feel any discomfort in my sinuses nor am I producing any excess mucous so sinuses may not be the cause in my case.

I also tried the hot compress but no relief from that either.

The headache is present 24/7 as a pressure around the skull generally rather than localised in any partciular part. Often worse on waking, say 6-7/10 pain which typically reduces to say a 3-4/10 pain over the course of about 30mins after which it may spike up at various points during the day. Weight training and sitting in front of a computer screen often exacerbate the problem. It doesn't seem to fit the migraine profile as I have no light sensitivity, nausea, etc and it is present constantly rather than episodic.

As well as the sensation of my ears being blocked, another condition I have that seems to be getting worse and may be related to the headaches (my instincts tell me that the whole problem could be vascular but it's just speculation) is proliferation of spider veins around my body (esp. feet, calves, torso, chest, shoulders) as well as very prominent larger veins, particularly on my arms but also in other areas. I've noticed that when I raise my arms above my head the prominent veins retreat considerably but reappear within about 10 secs when I lower them again. They are starting to get a bit unsightly.

I have been eating a fairly healthy diet (salads, veggies, lean protein sources, oats, vit/min, fish oil, acv, rezveratrol, very low sugar, etc.) for some time and recently did a supervised 10 day fast with daily colema, etc in the hope that the cleansing would help with the above symptoms but unfortunately no improvement.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[shelley]

Get your blood pressure tested right away.

If that's okay, then see a physical therapist or a chiropractor, and then see an eye doctor.

[Dave]

Hi Shelley,

My blood pressure tested normal.

I received some shoulder/neck/jaw soft tissue treatment from a physical therapist. Also had one session with an osteopath. No results from that.

I also saw an opthalmic neurologist who ran a battery of eye tests but everything was normal.

Any other suggestions? I'll try anything at this stage!

Thanks!

[shelley]

Fascinating. I think I'd have to meet with you in person or speak on the phone to figure out this one!

[shelley]

Fascinating. I think I'd have to meet with you in person or speak on the phone to figure out this one! Are you by chance planning on visiting So Cal anytime soon? Or Vegas - we could hook up there if I take some vacation time...