Clogged Ear Cold New! -

This is the dreaded "clogged ear cold," and while it’s rarely dangerous, it is incredibly annoying. Here’s why it happens and, more importantly, how to get relief. It’s not actually earwax. The culprit is the Eustachian tube .

Sounds are muffled. Your own voice echoes in your head. You might feel a little dizzy or off-balance.

Drink more water than you think you need. Water thins the mucus in your entire head. Run a cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep to keep those membranes moist. clogged ear cold

Since the tubes connect to your throat, you need to decongest the nose first. Use an over-the-counter (OTC) nasal spray (like oxymetazoline) or an oral decongestant (like pseudoephedrine). Warning: Don’t use nasal sprays for more than 3 days, or you risk rebound congestion.

Blowing with both nostrils blocked shoots mucus backward into your Eustachian tubes, making the clog worse. Blow one nostril at a time, gently. This is the dreaded "clogged ear cold," and

It sounds too simple, but yawning or chewing gum triggers the muscles that actually pull open the Eustachian tubes. Force a few fake yawns—you might feel a sudden shift. What not to do Do not use ear candles. They are ineffective, dangerous (risk of burns and wax blockage), and not approved by medical professionals.

Have you ever had a cold that turned into a full-blown ear infection? Share your experience in the comments below (but always get a medical opinion for your specific case)! The culprit is the Eustachian tube

Think of this tube as a tiny pressure-release valve that connects your middle ear to the back of your throat. Its job is to drain fluid and keep air pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum.