Tubal catarrh is a condition that affects the aeration of the eardrum as a result of hypersecretion of an eustachian tube. This usually occurs as a result of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, such as a cold or the flu. Catarrh can go away quickly on its own. However, it can last for several days. He can make your ears feel blocked or even develop an infection, such as otitis media. Treatment for a tubal catarrh involves treating the disorder from which it results. To prevent tubal catarrhs ​​and their possible complications, it is advisable to adopt certain gestures that promote good nasal hygiene.

While the general term “catarrh” denotes inflammation of a mucous membrane which is accompanied by hypersecretion, “tubal catarrh” particularly denotes acute or chronic inflammation which affects the aeration of the eardrum, that is, that is, the air-filled cavity located at the level of the middle ear.

Tubal catarrh results from hypersecretion of mucus, which becomes difficult to drain into the ear canal, and which more or less completely obstructs an Eustachian tube, the bony and fibro-cartilaginous duct, lined with mucous membrane, which connects the anterior wall of the middle ear to the nasopharynx, and which allows air exchange between the two, during yawning or swallowing in particular. The eustachian tube performs the following different functions:

• protection of the middle ear thanks to its insulating action against nasopharyngeal secretions;
• drainage of secretions towards the back of the throat via its mucous membranes and its vertical orientation;
• maintenance of aeration and pressure balance in the tympanic cavity.

Less frequent in summer than in winter, tubal catarrh manifests itself particularly during the seasonal epidemic of colds and flu.

Tubal catarrh can have different causes:

• an obstruction at the end of a eustachian tube;
• inflammation of the walls of the Eustachian tube as a result of a viral infection (cold, flu, etc.);
• tubal obstruction related to inflammation of the nasopharynx (nasopharyngitis);
• an anatomical peculiarity of the eustachian tubes (especially in young growing children);
• exposure to significant variations in the surrounding atmospheric pressure (barotraumatism) ;
• an obstruction due to the presence of a tumor, in the case of cancer of the cavum (cancer of the nasopharynx).

Symptoms of tubal catarrh include:

• earache, that is, pain in the ear;
• autophony, characterized by the fact that the patient hears his voice resonating when speaking, causing unpleasant sensations;
• hearing loss or decreased hearing sensitivity;
• buzzing;
• tinnitus, that is to say the perception of a sound without an external origin to the body;
• a feeling of blocked ear and fullness in the ear.

These sensations are generally transient and disappear as the inflammation decreases. However, if the tube is severely blocked, the hypersecretion can invade the eardrum and cause hearing loss which can become permanent. If the inflammation becomes chronic, it can also cause recurrent infections, including serous otitis media, with fluid effusion behind the eardrum.

Tubal catarrh can go away quickly on its own. However, it can last for several days. If this is the case, especially in cases of otalgia, that is to say pain, an ENT doctor should be consulted so that he can establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment accordingly.  

Treatment

The treatment for a tubal catarrh is the same as the treatment for the disease that caused it. Thus, the doctor can prescribe:

• painkillers to eliminate fever or possible pain (headache) associated with the inflammation of the mucous membranes and the discharge that accompanies it;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• decongestants, to be taken by mouth or as a nasal spray (the latter should not be used in children);
• antibiotics if the disease causing the catarrh is bacterial;
• It may also be recommended to gargle or wash the nose with salt water, or to take inhalations.

Finally, in the event of chronicity, it is thermotherapy which is most often used as a treatment for tubal catarrh. This is a medical technique that allows the use of a device using temperature variation (hyperthermia or cryotherapy), or a medication that acts on thermoregulation.

Prevention

To prevent tubal catarrhs ​​and their possible complications such as otitis media, it is advisable to adopt certain gestures to promote good nasal hygiene:

• blow your nose regularly;
• avoid sniffing;
• avoid frequent use of nasal drops or local decongestants without your doctor’s advice;
• when lying down, raise your head slightly to prevent mucus from flowing to the ears.