# Can Valsalva maneuver cause ear blockage or fluid accumulation?

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/can-valsalva-maneuver-cause-ear-blockage-or-fluid-accumulation/3079>\
**Category:** Medical Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [August 21, 2018, 6:34pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/can-valsalva-maneuver-cause-ear-blockage-or-fluid-accumulation/3079 "2018-08-21T18:34:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![protectedbywookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@protectedbywookies](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/protectedbywookies)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2018, 6:34pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/can-valsalva-maneuver-cause-ear-blockage-or-fluid-accumulation/3079/1 "2018-08-21T18:34:31Z")

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For my own recurring (every 2-3 weeks) ear blockage and hearing loss (diagnosed as otitis media and treated), I have done some search online and saw suggestions to tie valsalva maneuver to the cause of it. In your experience, is this a weak and uncommon reason for ear blockage and swelling? Is it true that keeping your mouth slightly open during Valsalva can help preventing this from happening to the ears?

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/can-valsalva-maneuver-cause-ear-blockage-or-fluid-accumulation/3079/2 "2018-08-21T20:44:37Z")

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No, the valsalva maneuver does not cause otitis media.

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**Author:** ![protectedbywookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@protectedbywookies](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/protectedbywookies)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2018, 9:19pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/can-valsalva-maneuver-cause-ear-blockage-or-fluid-accumulation/3079/3 "2018-08-21T21:19:17Z")

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What if otitis media was a misdiagnosis? If people can burst their blood vessels in the eyes, can the same happen in the ears and cause some swelling or fluid buildup inside? (I know how unscientific that sounds by the way…)

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2018, 2:32pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/can-valsalva-maneuver-cause-ear-blockage-or-fluid-accumulation/3079/4 "2018-08-23T14:32:58Z")

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It is possible to rupture the tympanic membrane, yes. This looks differently than otitis media, though.