Symptom Throbbing: Harmless or Dangerous?

Throbbing pain can occur in various parts of the body, for example in the ear, head or eye. Often, the throbbing is in the same rhythm as the heartbeat (pulse synchronous): so you can feel your own pulse. This is usually an expression of increased or altered blood flow in the affected region – for example, in the case of an inflammation. In rare cases, however, a vessel bulge or a tumor can also be behind the throbbing. Therefore, you should have persistent throbbing pain clarified by a doctor.

Throbbing in the ear with middle ear infection

In the ear, throbbing is often noticeable as a pulsating sound. If it occurs together with ear pain, a middle ear infection is often the cause. It is usually accompanied by fever, fatigue and hearing loss in the affected ear. A middle ear infection can usually be easily diagnosed by a family doctor or an ear, nose and throat specialist through an otoscopy. Treatment may involve an antibiotic, which is then taken for about five to seven days.

Vascular disease as a cause

If the throbbing in the ear occurs without accompanying ear pain, a vascular disease may be behind it. In older people, vascular calcification (arteriosclerosis), which increases with age, often causes narrowing of the vessels. The blood then has to overcome increased resistance, which can be heard as a throbbing sound in the vessels in the head area. In addition, a throbbing in the ear can have the following causes:

  • Vascular outpouching (aneurysm).
  • Malformation of veins or arteries
  • Splitting of the wall layers of a vessel (dissection).
  • “Short circuit” between arteries and veins (arteriovenous fistula).
  • Increase in intracranial pressure
  • Anemia (anemia)
  • Vascular tumor

If the throbbing in the ear occurs independently of the rhythm of the heartbeat, it may possibly be a form of tinnitus. The difference from pulse-synchronous throbbing is that in tinnitus there is no real source of noise – such as blood flow. So, if you hear or feel a throbbing in your ear for several days, it’s best to see an ear, nose and throat doctor. He or she can determine a possible ear condition and may order a CT scan or MRI to find out the cause of the throbbing in the ear.

Throbbing toothache

Throbbing in the tooth is usually an indication of inflammation of the tooth root. The most common cause is advanced tooth decay, which has already penetrated through the enamel to the inside of the tooth. Less frequently, tooth grinding or a crooked wisdom tooth can also cause root inflammation. Occasionally, after the wisdom teeth have been removed, the wound becomes inflamed, which can also be manifested by a throbbing sensation. In addition, inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) or inflammation of the tooth bed (periodontitis) can cause a throbbing toothache. You should have a throbbing tooth clarified by a dentist as early as possible, because if left untreated, inflammation in the tooth area can spread quickly and possibly lead to the loss of the affected teeth.

Mostly harmless: throbbing in the head

Throbbing headaches are very common and may occur with migraines or tension headaches. Occasional throbbing in the head that responds to pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen is usually harmless. However, if you suffer from headaches more frequently than eight times a month, you should have it checked out by a doctor. In particular, if other symptoms such as nausea, neck stiffness, paralysis or tingling are added, a medical examination is essential. If an extremely severe headache starts suddenly (“annihilation headache”) or if there is any loss of consciousness or confusion, you should call 911 immediately, as this could possibly be a sign of a brain hemorrhage or stroke.

Throbbing in the eye

A throbbing sensation on the upper or lower eyelid of the eye may occur as part of a harmless muscle twitch. These involuntary contractions of the small muscles around the eye occur temporarily in many people and are not usually a cause for alarm. The exact causes of eye twitching are unknown – it is only suspected that stress or a magnesium deficiency may play a role.If the throbbing of the eye occurs in connection with a painful swelling of the eyelid, an inflammation of the sebaceous or sweat glands – a so-called sty – could possibly be behind it. In most cases, a stye heals on its own without the need for treatment. Supportive red light or (dry) warm compresses can be applied to relieve the pain. If the stye does not heal or the whole eye is very painful and red, you should see an ophthalmologist.

Heart throbbing: Normal with stress

Feeling your own heartbeat as a thump in your chest during excitement or physical exertion is completely normal. Even an occasional extra heartbeat or “heart pounding” is often harmless, but it can also be an indication of a heart rhythm disorder or heart valve disease. Therefore, you should consult a doctor if you notice an irregular heart pounding. This also applies if the thumping heart is noticeable at rest.

Throbbing in the abdomen: rule out aneurysm

A throbbing in the abdomen is often caused by the pulse of the aorta. In very slender people, the pulsing may even be visible through the abdominal wall. This is also usually harmless; however, a bulging of the aorta (aortic aneurysm) may be the cause. This can usually be ruled out with a simple ultrasound examination by a physician.