Complications

Complications of swallowing difficulties can include weight loss, refusal to eat, and ear and throat pain. It is important to know that the mouth, throat and middle ear are connected by a small cartilage tube, the tuba auditiva. This cartilage tube is normally closed, but opens involuntarily when swallowing.

This serves to equalize pressure, for example when flying: When the plane takes off and quickly gains altitude, you often feel an extremely unpleasant sensation of pressure on your ears. This is due to the fact that the ambient pressure in the room air no longer corresponds to the pressure in the middle ear. By swallowing, the tuba auditiva – or “Eustachi tube” – can be opened and the pressure equalized.

However, if you have a cold and a cold sore, the Eustachi tube is often swollen and the pressure on the ears becomes permanent. This results in headaches, hearing loss, and a severely debilitating feeling of illness. Nose drops help to reduce the swelling.

But be careful when using them: ear drops are of no use in this case because they do not reach the middle ear through the eardrum – this can only be reached via the mouth and throat. However, the connection between the throat and the middle ear is both a curse and a blessing: just as pressure equalization can take place via the Eustachi tube, bacteria and viruses can also penetrate the small cavity behind the eardrum and cause middle ear inflammation. Inflammation of the middle ear rarely occurs on both sides, but usually on the right or left.

It does not matter whether the inflammation is on the right or left side, there is no difference in its course and treatment. In most cases, antibiotic, decongestant nasal drops are administered; in extreme cases, the eardrum must be opened so that pressure can be relieved. A sore throat can occur relatively quickly if swallowing difficulties persist.

After all, the throat area contains a large number of receptors and sensory cells that react to the constant strain with pain signals. This is a way for the body to signal the brain that something is wrong. However, sore throats can also be the cause and trigger swallowing difficulties.

If the throat is swollen up a lot in the course of a cold, swallowing becomes more difficult. Since the swallowing muscles are located in the throat, it seems only logical that swallowing difficulties and sore throat are interrelated. What you can do about sore throat and what home remedies are available will be discussed further under “Therapy”.