The eardrum also known as the tympanic membrane, plays a crucial role in our ability to hear. It is a thin, sensitive, and delicate membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. However, there are instances where the eardrum may become compromised and become a bulged eardrum, leading to various symptoms and potential hearing problems.
It can be a distressing condition that affects both children and adults, resulting in pain, hearing loss, and other symptoms.
Understanding the causes, risk factors, symptoms, prevention measures, and available management options is essential for addressing this condition effectively.
This article will cover homeopathic remedies for bulging eardrum, the cause behind it, symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and management, and its associated complications.
Types of eardrum bulging
Now, let’s know what are the different types of eardrums bulging and their associated symptoms.
1. Retracted eardrum
A retracted eardrum occurs when the tympanic membrane is pulled inward, making it appear sunken or concave. This condition is often caused by negative pressure in the middle ear due to blockage or dysfunction of the eustachian tube.
2. Eustachian tube dysfunction
It refers to the difficulty in equalizing pressure between the middle ear and the environment. If the eustachian tube fails to open properly, it can lead to unequal pressure on both sides of the eardrum.
3. Perforated eardrum
It is a condition in which a hole or tear forms in the tympanic membrane, leading to a visible bulging or rupture.
4. Acute otitis
It refers to the inflammation of the middle ear, often caused by bacterial or viral infections. This condition can lead to fluid buildup behind the eardrum, causing it to bulge outward.
What causes the bulged eardrum and how does it spread?
Eardrum bulging can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from infections to trauma. some common causes include.
1. Ear infections
One of the main culprits behind eardrum bulging is a middle ear infection, also known as otitis media.
This infection can cause the accumulation of pus or fluid within the middle ear, resulting in increased pressure that can lead to the bulging of the eardrum.
2. Barotrauma
Rapid pressure changes, such as those experienced during air travel, scuba diving, or driving at high altitudes, can cause eardrum bulging.
This is known as barotrauma, which occurs when the pressure inside the ear and the surrounding air differs significantly.
3. Eustachian tube dysfunction
The eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, equalizing pressure and draining fluid.
Dysfunctions of this tube, often lead to fluid accumulation and subsequent eardrum bulging.
4. Trauma
Physical trauma to the ear, such as a direct blow or insertion of sharp objects, can cause the eardrum to bulge or rupture.
Signs and symptoms of Bulged Eardrum
- Ear pain or discomfort
- Sharp throbbing pain within the affected ear
- Hearing loss
- Hearing impairment
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Ringing or whistling sound in the ear
- Accumulation of pus in the ear
- Discharge from the ear
- Fever due to infection
Risk factors of Bulged Eardrum
While eardrum bulging can occur in anyone, certain factors may increase the risk. These include:
1. age
Young children, particularly those between 6 months and year of age, are more susceptible to eardrum bulging due to their developing Eustachian tube and immune system.
2. Seasonal allergies
Those with seasonal allergies or chronic sinus problems are more likely to experience Eustachian tube dysfunction, increasing the risk of eardrum bulging.
3. smoking
Tobacco smoke irritates the lining of the Eustachian tube, making it more prone to blockages and fluid buildup.
4. upper respiratory tract infections
Frequent colds, sinus infections, or other upper respiratory infections can increase the chance of developing eardrum bulging.
Diagnosis of bulged eardrums
When you visit a healthcare professional or Ent specialist, they will begin by taking a detailed medical history.
They will ask questions about your symptoms, any recent ear infections, head trauma, exposure to loud noises, or any previous issues with your ears.
The doctor will then perform a visual examination of your ear using a tool called an otoscope. This handle instrument has a light and a magnifying lens, allowing the doctor to look inside your ear.
This examination allows them to identify any visible signs of a bulged eardrum, such as a tear or hole.
Tympanometry is a non-invasive test commonly used to assess the condition of the eardrum and middle ear. It measures the movement of the eardrum in repone to changes in the pressure.
During the test, a small probe is inserted into the ear canal, and air pressure is alternated. This examination can determine if the eardrum is perforated or bulging as a result of fluid buildup or other abnormalities.
In some cases, additional imaging tests may be ordered to get a more detailed view of the ear structures. These tests can include a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the middle and inner ear structures, and the extent of damage, or to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms.
If there is a suspicion of infection, the doctor may take a maple of ear discharge for laboratory analysis. This examination can help identify the specific infection-causing agent and guide the treatment approach.
It is crucial to remember that diagnosing a bulged eardrum requires professional expertise, and self-diagnosis is not recommended.
Prevention and management of Bulged eardrum
- Maintain good ear hygiene: clean your ear regularly, but avoid inserting any objects into the ear canals, as this can damage the eardrum and increase the risk of infection.
- Practice good respiratory hygiene: properly cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of respiratory infection that can contribute to eardrum bulging.
- If you suffer from seasonal allergies or chronic sinus problems, seek proper medical treatment to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of Eustachian tube dysfunction.
- If you are a smoker, consider quitting. If you are not a smoker, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, as it can irritate the eustachian tube and increase the risk of eardrum bulging.
- When facing eardrum bulging, it is essential to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
- In case of eardrum bulging caused by middle ear infections, antibiotics are often prescribed to eliminate the infection and reduce the inflammation.
- If eardrum bulging is a result of chronic allergies, sinus problems, or other underlying conditions, treating and managing these conditions is crucial to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Best homeopathic medicine for Bulged eardrum
Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that treats not only the symptoms of the disease but also the man who is suffering from the disease.
So, after a complete detailed history of present and past disease and considering the family history, a drug is prescribed which will be based on the individualization of every patient.
In mild cases, improvement can be seen within weeks, whereas in severe cases of tinea Bulged eardrum, the improvement will take a longer time. Along with homeopathic medicine, patients must follow a healthy regimen for optimum results.
Now, let us go through some of the homeopathic medicines that can help to treat Bulged eardrum. Some of the best homeopathic medicines for the treatment of this condition are mentioned below: –
- Arsenicum album
- Pulsatilla
- Tellurium
- Psorinum
- Kali bichromicum
- Hydrastis Canadensis
- Lachesis
- Merc sol
- Hepar sulph
1. Arsenic album: for bulged eardrum with fluid discharge.
This medicine Is very effective in treating ear complaints such as bulged eardrums and when the mucus membrane of the internal and middle ear is inflamed and burning.
This medicine can be given when a patient complains about thin excoriating offensive otorrhea, roaring in the ear during paroxysm and paroxysm usually at midnight.
Tissue of meatus red and inflamed oozing clear watery fluid. Burning of the ear pinna was also marked.
Mentally patient is restless, anxious, sad, and depressed. Great anguish and restlessness. Great fever with cold sweat. Thinks that disease is incurable, confused. Predicts the time of death.
Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c 4 globules (pills) dissolved in half a cup of water 2 times a day for 15 days.
2. Pulsatilla: bulged eardrum with catarrhal and inflammatory condition of the ear.
Pulsatilla is a polychrest homeopathic medicine and has action on almost every part of the body. It can be prescribed in the case of treating bulged eardrums when there is a catarrhal and inflammatory condition of the ear with bland yellowish sticky thick discharge.
Pain in the ears is worse at night and ameliorated by walking slowly in cold and open air. Sometimes, the eardrum is ruptured, thus forming a perforation.
It can also be indicated when there is an abscess in the middle ear, otorrhea, and otitis media, especially after an upper respiratory tract infection.
Mentally the patient is indifferent and irritable and has a weeping tendency. The patient cannot narrate the symptoms. Symptoms are ameliorated by consolation and desire the same.
Mental symptoms are aggravated in warm rooms and better by walking in open air.
Dosage and potency: 200c, 4 globes of pulsatilla in half a cup of water thrice a day till the symptoms disappear. Take 15 minutes gap between meals and medication.
3. Tellurium: for rupture of the tympanum and acrid discharge
Tellurium is a highly effective homeopathic remedy for treating skin-related issues, catarrhal infections, and ear-related problems.
This medicine can be given in a bulged eardrum, discharge from the ear, and rupture tympanum. When a large quantity of pus pouring out of the affected ear.
Discharges are very acrid and smells like fish pickle. There is also itching, swelling, and throbbing in the meatus. The tympanic membrane is very irregular.
This medicine works wonders in treating vesicular eruption of the membrane, suppuration, and perforation of the eardrum with impaired hearing.
Mentally patient is confused, negligent, and forgetful. Distortion of mind. Fear of being touched in a sensitive place. Wants to scratch the affected part of sin till it bleeds.
Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c, take 4 drops of dilution in half a cup of water twice a day, till the improvement is seen.
4. Psorinum: for offensive purulent discharges with pustules in the middle ear.
Psorinum is an antipsoric medicine and is usually prescribed when there are skin eruptions around the ear, offensive purulent discharges with pustules in the middle ear, and herpes on the temporals over the pinna.
This medicine can be indicated to patients who have a lack of resistance. There is easy perspiration while walking.
This medicine can also work wonders when the tonsil is greatly swollen, and painful. There is a pain in the ears when the end swallows. This is the best remedy to eradicate the tendency of quinsy.
One of the characteristic features of Psorinum patients is they are very chilly and can tolerate cold weather . Also, they become hungry in the middle of the night.
Mentally patient is hopeless, despair of recovery, and melancholic.
Dosage and potency: 200c potency take 4 globules (pills) twice a day till the improvement occurs.
5. Kali bichromicum: for the bulged eardrum and tearing type of pain in the ear.
Kali bichromicum is an indicated medicine for treating ear complaints such as otorrhea, tinnitus, bulged eardrum, and middle ear infections.
The middle and internal ear are swollen, edematous, and tearing type of pain in the ear defines the prescription of kali bichromicum. There is also discharge from the ear comes. The discharges are sticky, stringy, thick and can be drawn in long strings.
Kali bichromicum will work best in treating the ulcers upon the tympanum which is dry. There is sharp stitching pain from the ear to throat which is also its characteristic feature.
Dosage and potency: 200c or 1m potency of dilution, take 2-3 drops of Kali bichromicum in half a cup of water one time a day for 3 days.
6. Hydrastis: for mucopurulent discharge from the ear
Hydrastis Canadensis is a homeopathic that acts especially on mucus membranes, relaxing them and producing a thick yellowy, ropy secretion.
If a patient is suffering from ear complaints and is having ear discharges, heaviness in the ear, tinnitus, and some symptoms of bulged ear drums then, this medicine will be prescribed.
Hydrastis can be indicated when patients say there is roaring in the ear and dull aching pain in the ear. Also, there is muco-purulent discharge coming from the ear confirming its prescription.
Mentally patient is sad, despondent, melancholic, and very depressed. He talks about death and wants it. On the mental level, there is prolonged grief marked due to which some suicidal thoughts also come.
Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c potency, take 2-3 drops of dilution in half a cup of water and take twice a day till the improvement.
7. Lachesis: for roaring and stinging pain in the ear.
Lachesis is a polychrest homeopathic medicine that is prepared from a snake on a potentized form. As snakes are very sensitive to noise, this remedy is also very effective in treating ear hearing complaints.
This medicine will work wonders in treating bulged eardrum when there is roaring and stinging pain in the ear and the ears of the patients are very sensitive to noise, meatus is oversensitive.
Lachesis is well selected in treating chronic otitis media. The secondary staphylococcal infection is due to auricular swelling and peripheral infection is also treated by this medicine.
Mentally patient is indifferent, has great loquacity, is sad in the morning, and has no desire to mix with the world. There is also jealousy and restlessness and uneasiness is well marked in this medicine.
Dosage and potency: 30c, 200c, 4 globules (pills) of Lachesis twice a day till the improvement is seen. You can take dilution also. Take 10 drops of dilution in half a cup of water once a day for 10 days.
8. Merc sol: for ulceration of the tympanic membrane
Merc sol is also considered as king of anti-syphilitic medicine and usually prescribed when there is a formation of ulcers in the tympanic membrane.
This medicine will work wonders in chronic otitis media secondary to exanthemata and the scrofulous and syphilitic patients. Pain in the ear extending to the face and teeth worse by the heat of the bed.
There is also abundant secretion and continuous flow of pus and blood from the ear which is thick yellowish in color and offensive in nature.
Mentally, the patient is sluggish, and slow in acting and answering the question. Weak memory and loss of willpower. Weary of life, mistrustful.
Dosage and potency: – 200c, 1 M potency, take 4 globules directly on the tongue once a day for 15 days.