Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Ear infections can be painful and even cause you to experience imbalance. They usually affect your middle ear, outer or inner part of the ear. Usually, ear infections symptoms occur because of viruses or bacteria. When a virus or bacteria infects your ear fluid, this causes ear infections. While ear infections are common among children and adults, these are the main reasons for ear pain in children.

Due to severe ear pain and infection, your eardrum becomes swollen. Ear infection treatment involves antibiotics and other medicines to ease the pain and fight infection. 

If you neglect ear infections, these may even lead to hearing issues or other complications. However, with timely ear infection treatment, adults and children can get quick relief from ear pain and infection.

According to a study, ear infections affecting the middle ear are common among young children between 6-24 months of age. Before children start their schooling, approximately 80-90% are at risk of middle ear infections [1]. Another report reveals that around 709 million children below five years of age acquire middle ear infections [2]. Some of the most common symptoms in children suffering from middle ear infections include the following.  

• Fever 
• Severe pain in the ear 
• Minor issues with hearing 
• Low energy 

In adults, earphone usage for a prolonged period may result in ear infections, as per a report. A few common symptoms noted here include the following.  

• Poor concentration 
• Discharge of watery fluid from the ear 
• Dizziness 
• Earaches 
• Fever 
• Persistent headaches 

By following an ideal ear infection treatment, adults and kids can overcome these symptoms and lead healthy lives. While symptoms of acute ear infections occur only for a short period, chronic ear infections can constantly keep recurring and causing you discomfort. To know more about ear infections, their symptoms, and ear infection treatment, read on.

Ear Infections Symptoms 

Mild ear infections get resolved on their own. However, your doctor may prescribe certain pain killers to relieve your ear pain and infection. In case of severe ear infections, you have to take antibiotics. Here are the most common symptoms of ear infections that occur in children and adults. 

• Headaches 
• Fever 
• Restless behavior 
• Poor appetite 
• Lack of balance and dizziness   
• Constant itching that makes your rub your ears frequently 
• Increased pressure buildup in your ear 
• Pus formation in the ear 
• Discomfort due to ear pain and infection 

Ear infections last for a week or more, depending on their severity. Make sure to follow the ear infection treatment plan properly for effective relief against ear pain.

Ear Infections Causes

If you are prone to any allergy, flu, or cold, you have a higher chance of developing ear infections. The congestion in your nasal passage and throat causes ear infections. Tiny tubes in your ear connect the ear to the backside of your throat. Any block in these tubes results in fluid accumulation of your middle ear. A few common reasons for blockage in these tubes include the following.  

• Sinusitis 
• Smoking 
• Air pressure differences 
• Presence of excess mucus 
• Allergy 
• Common cold 

In case of an adenoid gland infection, you may get ear pain. This is because adenoid glands are behind the nose and help ward off infections. If these glands get affected, it results in ear infections.

There are various risk factors that can increase the incidence of ear infections. 

• Bottle-fed babies are more prone to ear pain and infection than breastfed kids. 
• School-going children get ear infections more frequently than kids who stay at home. 
• Kids between 6 months and two years are more prone to ear infections due to developing immune systems. 
• Individuals with seasonal allergies develop ear infections frequently. 
• Increased pollution can cause ear infections. 
• Children with cleft palate conditions acquire ear infections quickly. 
• Constant exposure to smoke can make you prone to ear infections. 

Additional read: Effective Dust Allergy Remedies 

Ear Infections Diagnosis

Using an otoscope, your ENT specialist may examine your ears. Your doctor will check for any redness or fluid formation in your middle ear. Further, your eardrum may be examined for any bulge or perforation. In extreme pain, you may undergo a few additional tests, such as: 

• Hearing test 
• CT scan to assess the spread of infection 
• Acoustic reflectometry to check your sound reflection and fluid content in the ear 
• Tympanometry to measure air pressure changes in the ear 
• Blood tests to check your immunity levels 

Ear Infections Treatment

For mild ear infections, you can follow simple home remedies as a part of the ear infection treatment regime. Few measures for easing your ear pain and infection include the following.  

• Applying ear drops to relieve your pain 
• Placing a warm cloth near the ear 
• Taking pain relievers like ibuprofen 
• Using decongestants 

In case of severe ear infections, your ENT specialist may prescribe antibiotics for the infection to subside. However, if a virus is the main cause of your ear infection, these antibiotics may not work. To get effective results in ear infection treatment, adults and children are treated using a wait-and-see technique.

Overdosage of antibiotics may result in antibiotic resistance. So, only when your symptoms start to worsen, you'll be put on antibiotics. Your specialist may consider surgery if your symptoms of ear infections do not get better despite following a systematic ear infection treatment regime. Ear tubes may be placed in your ears surgically to extract the excess fluid from your ears.

If you are suffering from ear pain, take proper precautions and meet a doctor if symptoms do not subside. As you already know, the causes of ear infections and ear infection treatment, adults and children can be treated immediately for instant relief from any pain. For professional advice, you may connect to reputed ENT specialists on Bajaj Finserv Health. Get a doctor's consultation and address your symptoms without any delay. Any infections concerning your ears, nose, and throat, such as tonsillitis or hearing loss, can be resolved effectively. Follow your doctor's advice meticulously to recover sooner! If you want to protect yourself from any disease, you can avail of health insurance.