Causing pain for children and adults alike, middle ear infections can lead to many problems. Seeking medical attention for your ear infection is the best solution to make sure that you receive adequate treatment and prevent complications.
Causes and Concerns
Ear infections are not as common in adults as they are in children, but they can still occur. A middle ear infection occurs in the space behind your ear drum. When this space becomes filled with fluid, it can lead to an infection due to viral or bacterial growth. Germs from your nose and throat can become trapped in this space and lead to an infection.
There is a tube that connects your throat and ear together, called the Eustachian tube. When this tube becomes swollen due to sickness, fluid can also get trapped in the space behind your eardrum.
Risk factors for ear infections include:
- Persistent or untreated allergies
- Frequent upper respiratory infections
- Dysfunctional Eustachian tubes
- Congenital health conditions
Symptoms and Signs
There are a few symptoms associated with an ear infection, and the most common one is an earache. An earache can range anywhere from mild to severe, and it can be intermittent or continuous. You may also experience itching or drainage from the ear when an infection is present. Other symptoms associated with an ear infection include:
- Tinnitus
- Dizziness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Fever
- Nasal drainage
- Cough
- Stuffy nose
Solutions and Options
To have an ear infection diagnosed, you will need to see one of our ear specialists. The doctor will take a look inside your ear to determine whether or not you have an infection, and from there, assess the severity of it. The doctor will be able to see if there is any fluid trapped in the space behind the eardrum with a tool called an otoscope. They may also perform a test called a tympanogram.
Ear infections do not typically need special treatment, as those caused by viruses often go away on their own. Over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibruprofen) are recommended for the pain. You can ease the pain associated with an ear infection by placing a warm wash cloth on your ear and letting it rest there.
However, some infections are caused by bacteria and require antibiotics. In children, minor surgery is sometimes necessary to heal an ear infection. When someone has recurrent infections, the ear specialist may insert ototubes into the eardrum to drain the fluid.
Ear infections typically last for about 10–14 days, but they may heal quicker or last longer than that. If you feel that your ear infection is becoming worse, or the earache is growing in intensity, you should talk to an ear specialist. Our doctors are specifically trained to treat ear infections and other ear-related disorders.
There are ways to prevent an ear infection. Because one major cause for ear infections is smoking or exposure to smoke, you should avoid smoking or being around secondhand smoke. Smoke tends to block and clog the tube that connects your throat and ear, and it can cause fluid to build up in the space. Also, make sure to avoid people who are sick and, if you cannot, then limit your exposure. Additionally, always wash your hands after touching doorknobs and using the bathroom.
Summary
If you suspect you or your child has an ear infection, you should seek medical care to assess the situation and receive treatment. An ear infection will cause pain in both adults and children, and it can make babies irritable and fussy. Consult one of our caring ear specialists today for an evaluation.
Additional Reading: https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ear-infection/default.htm