Patulous Eustachian Tube Causes and Symptoms: How to Cure It Naturally

Patulous Eustachian Tube Causes and Symptoms: How to Cure It Naturally . Patulous Eustachian tube (PET) is a rare benign middle ear problem characterized by fullness in ear, autophony, hearing disturbances and in some cases vertigo. Autophony is hearing of self generated sound. This means, the sound produced while breathing, heart sounds, as well as the voice that you speak vibrate on the eardrum. This creates an effect that something heavy is kept on your head.

The other name is patent Eustachian tube. In normal condition, the Eustachian tube in middle ear remains closed all the time. In PET, the tube opens intermittently producing unwanted symptoms.

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The condition was first described in 1864 by Schwartz. He observed that the scarred eardrum moved synchronously with each respiratory breath.

PET is more common in women than in men. Adults and adolescents are usual sufferer. The condition is not observed in children. There is no absolute cure of the disease, however patient find some relief in vertigo if present with patulous tube.

Causes of Patulous Eustachian Tube

In most cases the cause of patulous Eustachian tube remains obscure. However there are some predisposing factors noted for development of patulous Eustachian tube. Also the cause may vary from person to person.

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Weight loss is suspected to be a major cause for patulous Eustachian tube. Normally the layer of fat and fatty tissue surrounding the Eustachian tube keeps the tube closed most of the time. But due to overall fat loss from the body, the fatty tissue surrounding the ET also diminishes. It allows the Eustachian tube to remain opened.

Dehydration has the same effect on the Eustachian tube. People drinking too much of coffee, tea, are prone to this condition. Dehydration caused as a result of exercise is also responsible for PET.

The hormonal changes in pregnancy can change the surface tension and mucous in the respiratory system.

Certain neurological conditions that may cause muscle shrinkage (atrophy) such as multiple sclerosis, motor neuron diseases etc are also responsible for it.

Adhesions in throat after adenectomy and radiation therapy are also predisposing factors for PET.

Certain medications such as diuretics, oral contraceptives can also cause PET.

Stress, anxiety and temporomadibular joint syndrome is also suspected to play a role in development of PET.

Symptoms of Patulous Eustachian Tube

The function of a normal Eustachian tube is to keep pressure on both the sides of ear drum equal and ease mucus drainage. An abnormal patency of Eustachian tube can generate variety of disturbing ear problems.

• First of all hearing will be affected. There is fullness in the middle ear. There is muffled hearing.
• Distorted autophony is one of the major symptoms of PET. There is an abnormal perception of a person’s own breath and voice.
• Person may feel echoing of his own voice. This precipitates the person to speak in a low tone and thereby affects his speech. He speaks very softly and people find difficult to hear him.
• The ear feels constantly plugged.
• Vertigo is also a common feature as a result of excessive pressure changes in the middle ear.
• Patient may find difficulty in eating too. This is because the noise produced as a result of chewing and swallowing reverberates into the ear and cause lot of distress.
• Patient feels better when he lies down. The abnormal sound is diminished and vertigo calms down. He also feels better when there is excess of mucus in the respiratory tract.
• Use of decongestants worsens the condition.
• The heartbeat sound can be perceived in the ear. The condition is also referred as pulsatile tinnitus.

Treatment Options

Many times the condition is misdiagnosed as nasal congestion and other similar ear problems. However, the distinct feature of autophony and plugged ear can clinch to the diagnosis.

• Reduce physical activity as it is found to be a major reason for PET.
• Avoid excessive gym workouts.
• Since weight loss is also a causative factor, patient should try to put on weight in moderation to accomplish the goal of increasing fatty tissue in the surrounding area of Eustachian tube.
• Dehydrating foods and beverages should be avoided by the patient.
• Certain yoga postures are found to be relaxing and beneficial in this condition.
• Lying down as well as other positional maneuvers give temporary relief in the symptoms.
• Use of estrogen ear drops is beneficial as it helps to swell the opening of Eustachian tube.
• In severe cases where conventional treatment is not satisfactory, surgery may be recommended.
• Patient should also avoid alcohol and smoking.
• Doctors also prescribe certain nasal drops as a treatment for PET.