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Pontiac, IL
A 26-year-old female asked:

I have been getting frequent ear infections due to sinus problems. what's the best way to prevent these if your tubes don't drain right?

3 doctor answers4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Greer
Family Medicine 46 years experience
Tube in ear: Usually done in younger patients but maybe ENT would recommend a very small tube in your ear drum to equalize pressure. Make sure diabetes is not a cause.
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Dr. Jay Bayer
Family Medicine 53 years experience
Sticky snot: Most cases due non allergic rhinitis. Nose is filter- think all pollution in air- molds, dust. Dust mite poop, viruses. Nose produces mucous to capture particles. But w enuf irritation, environmental dryness, snot thickens. Best consult family doc or ent. There are nasal corticosteroid . All drainage goes over tubes middle ear. Otc_ neil med nasal wash and saline sprays to clear nasal passages.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Ralph Morgan Lewis
A Verified Doctoranswered
Family Medicine 40 years experience
Otitis; sinusitis: What tubes do you mean? Tympanostomy tubes to drain fluid from middle ear, or the eustachian tubes? For t-tubes, consult with pcp/ent. Eustachian tubes may be inflammed & swollen shut; so antiinflammatory NSAID should help as well as decongestant (not antihistamine) like sudafed.. Avoid smoking or 2nd-hand smoke, allergens. Ent may have other options for opening eustachian tubes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated Oct 23, 2017

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