Question
How should inner ear effusion be treated?
Answer
The treatment for inner ear effusion includes improving middle ear ventilation, clearing middle ear fluid, and treating the underlying cause. Nasal sprays like Xylometazoline can be used to improve eustachian tube ventilation, but avoid forceful nose blowing during the acute phase. Chronic phase treatment may involve eustachian tube balloon dilation. Those with unilateral effusion accompanied by headaches, nosebleeds, or neck swelling should seek medical attention promptly to rule out the possibility of nasopharyngeal cancer. For patients with nasopharyngeal or nasal diseases, adenoidectomy or inferior turbinate resection may be performed. During the acute phase, antibiotics can be used to prevent or control infection, and dexamethasone or prednisone may be used short-term.