Why do your ears pop when you're sick?

[NewYorkDragons80]

I understand the pressure changes that make your ears pop when changing altitudes, etc., but why do your ears pop when you have a head cold?

[razorboy]

I would guess it has something to do with swollen or infected sinuses and nasal cavities affecting the air pressure in middle ear, leading to the need to equalize it.

[donnie_darko]

seems like you should've posted this in a different forum maybe?
*cough*drsteve*cough*

[landarch]

When you are sick, your ears are often filled with fluid. As you swallow or yawn, your Eustachain tube opens and closes, shifting the fluid in your ears, changing pressure, and hence causing a "pop".

[MisterSmith]

Because you touch yourself at night.




God knows what you are doing in there!!!

http://www.catholicsupply.com/christmas/88083.jpg

[NewYorkDragons80]

seems like you should've posted this in a different forum maybe?
*cough*drsteve*cough*
That's who I intended it for, but I couldn't find it. I'll admit I didn't look that hard, but could somebody post a link?