What Side Should I Sleep on With a Ruptured Eardrum?

Experience ruptured eardrum symptoms such as sharp ear pain and fluid leakage from the ear can be painful and can affect comfort. This can cause concern and lead you to wonder, “On which side should you sleep with the ruptured eardrum?” A proper sleep position can make a big difference in healing, so it should be implemented to avoid further damage. This article will guide you to a proper sleep position that will help prevent discomfort and promote recovery. So let’s get started

Which side should I sleep with my ruptured eardrum? Best sleep position

If you experience pain or discomfort after the ruptured eardrum, it can be difficult to sleep. Depending on which ears are affected, you can sleep in the following ways:

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  If only one ear is affected

According to the Sleep Foundation, for one ruptured eardrum, the best sleep position is to sleep on the unaffected side. This means that if your left ear is injured, you will sleep on the right side. This helps reduce the risk of debris and fluids that enter the infected ears, and cause more irritation and damage. Additionally, it minimizes pressure and discomfort in affected ears, allowing for a restful sleep.

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  If both ears are affected

In this case, it is best to use an extra pillow to lift your head and sleep on your back. This position prevents pressure on both ears and allows for better drainage.

Note: A specific recommendation is to meet your auditory specialist for personalized advice, as the severity of the condition and other underlying issues may vary.

Sleep locations to avoid

• Sleep on your stomach – put pressure on your ears.

• Sleep in affected ears – exacerbate irritation and slow healing.

Why a proper sleep position is important

Sleeping position affects the way your ears are drained and healed. You can sleep wrongly:

• Increases pain and pressure.

• It allows for fluid accumulation and causes infection.

• It slows healing by causing further irritation.

Other tips for sleeping better with ruptured eardrums

1. Use warm compression before bedtime for 10 minutes to relieve pain.

2. Leave your ears dry (use cotton balls while taking a shower).

3. Do not insert anything into your ear, such as a cotton swab.

4. If your tinnitus keeps you awake, use white noise or soft music.

5. Take OTC painkillers like ibuprofen for pain relief.

Causes of ruptured eardrum

Understanding what led to the rupture helps to prevent it from happening again. Common causes are:

• Ear Infections: Viral or bacterial infections can cause pressure and fluid buildup that lead to an explosion of the eardrum.

• Sudden pressure change: Fast air pressure changes during scuba diving or during air movement can cause tympanic membrane rupture.

• Injury or Trauma: According to researchusing a cotton swab, inserting an object, or using direct ear damage can cause the eardrum to burst.

• Exposure to water for a long time: Exposure to long water can weaken your eardrum, which can lead to the risk of its rupture.

• Head Injury: Head injuries at a skull base can also cause tympanic rupture.

• Loud sounds: Exposure to sounds such as very loud sounds or explosions, shootings, or sudden high decibel sounds. It can rupture the eardrum.

Symptoms of ruptured eardrum

Living with a ruptured eardrum can be uncomfortable as it can cause several symptoms that last for a short period of time. However, if it lasts longer, see an ear specialist. Related symptoms include:

• Sudden sharp ear pain

• Clear, cloudy or bloody liquid leakage from the ears

• Ear cries or buzz (known as tinnitus)

• itch

• Temporary hearing loss

• Dizziness or dizziness

• heat

• Faintness in the face (in severe cases)

To avoid these symptoms, the first thing you can do to promote healing is to sleep in the right place. You can also follow home care tips.

Home medications to manage ruptured eardrums at home

Minor cases of ruptured eardrums can be cured on their own within a month or two. However, if it causes severe pain or drainage, consult your doctor. On the other hand, you can take these tips into consideration to find peace of mind.

• Keep your ears dry: Protect with cotton balls and earplugs to avoid pouring water into infected areas while showering or swimming.

• Use warm compression: reduce ear pain by increasing blood circulation to the damaged area. Apply warm compression to the affected area for 10 minutes.

• Take over-the-counter painkillers: Painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can relieve ear pain.

• Drainage monitoring: If there is pus leakage from the ears, use a clean cloth or towel to absorb the liquid.

• Get plenty of rest: It promotes the body’s healing process, so you get plenty of rest.

When do you meet a doctor?

If you experience persistent or worsening symptoms of the eardrum, see your auditory specialist. However, consult your doctor immediately if:

• Severe ear pain that doesn’t improve.

• Persistent fluid drainage (especially pus or blood).

• Serious hearing loss.

• Extreme dizziness or balance issues.

• Fever, nausea, or vomiting.

• Foreign objects stuck in your ears.

Professional treatment for ruptured eardrum

If the eardrum does not heal on its own, your doctor can recommend:

1. Antibiotic

If the ruptured eardrum is caused by an ear infection, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics in the form of tablets or ear rings.

• Oral antibiotics include amoxicillin clavulanic acid and topical antibiotic droplets ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin.

• Oral medications are prescribed for 5-10 days, with topical antibiotic drops sometimes prescribed several times daily.

• To relieve pain, the provider may provide acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

2. Mythdymuscle surgery (tympanic surgery)

If there is a large hole in the eardrum, your doctor may suggest a surgery called “tympanoplasty.” Here’s how it works:

• The surgeon will provide local or general anesthesia to paralyze the patient.

• An incision is made behind the ear.

• Infected tissue or debris is then removed.

• The surgeon then places the graft material (made of human cartilage or fascia or synthetic material) over the hole in the ruptured eardrum.

• Secure the graft in place using adhesive or sutures.

Note: Recovery may take several weeks. You may experience mild pain, a feeling of draining the ear, a feeling of bloating in the ear, or temporary hair loss. The success rate of this surgery ranges from 35% to 95%, but can also be accompanied by side effects. These effects may include bleeding, infection, graft failure, or dizziness. If you are experiencing anything, talk to your doctor.

Complications of untreated ruptured eardrums

If the ruptured eardrum is not healed or left untreated, it can lead to:

• Hearing loss

• Middle ear infection

• Biliary ductoma (cyst in the middle ear)

• Mastosis (infection of mastoid bone)

• Long-term dizziness or dizziness

Therefore, prevention is important to avoid ensuring such complications.

How to prevent ruptured eardrums?

To avoid recurrence of tympanic rupture:

• Immediate treatment for ear infections

• Do not insert any cotton swabs or objects into your ears

• Use earplugs during flights, loud events, or during water activities.

• Avoid direct trauma or ear injuries.

Final thoughts

The person to sleep with a ruptured eardrum is a common question for people as it can cause a great discomfort. If the eardrums rupture, lie down on the unaffected side, and if both eardrums rupture, sleep on your back with an extra pillow under your head to avoid additional pressure. Additionally, avoiding insertion into the ear, dry ears, taking OTC painkillers, and using warm compression to relieve discomfort and support recovery. You can try some tips.

However, if symptoms persist or worsen, hearing loss, dizziness, or prolonged drainage, consult your doctor.

Take good rest, take care of your ears, and prioritize healing!

Read again: Is ear infections contagious? This is the truth

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