Ear infection - Symptoms and causes

Introduction

Ear infections result from a viral or bacterial infection that affects the middle ear, the area of the Ear just behind the eardrum. Ear infections can be painful due to inflammation of the middle Ear and accumulation of fluid.

Ear infections can be chronic or acute. Acute infection is painful but short-lived.

Chronic ear infection does not go away or occur many times. Chronic otitis media can cause permanent damage to the middle and inner Ear.

Symptoms

Mild ear pain and discomfort
Persistent pressure in the ears
Irritability in young infants
Pus-like drainage from the ears
Deafness

These symptoms may persist or go and come. Signs can occur in one or both ears. Pain is usually exacerbated by infections in both ears (infections in both ears). Symptoms of chronic infection may be less noticeable than those of acute.

Children under six months with symptoms of fever and ear infections should see a doctor. Consult an ENT specialist in Karachi if your child has a fever above 39 ° C (102 ° F) or has severe ear pain.

Causes

Ear infections appear when one of the Eustachian tubes becomes swollen or clogged, and the middle Ear becomes hydrated. The Eustachian tube is a small tube that extends directly from each Ear to the back of the throat.

The causes of Eustachian tube hindrance are:

Cold
Allergy
Smoking
Sinus infection
Excess mucus
Infected or inflamed adenoids (tissues near the tonsils that trap harmful bacteria and viruses)
Alteration in air pressure

Diagnosis

Healthcare providers examine their ears with an instrument called an otoscope equipped with lights and magnifying glass. The test may reveal:

Liquid filled with redness, air bubbles, or pus in the middle ear
Fluid coming from the Middle Ear
Perforation of the eardrum
Swelling or collapse of the eardrum

If the infection progresses, doctors may take a sample of the fluid in the Ear and test for certain types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Doctors can also order a computed tomography (CT) scan of your head to determine if the infection has spread beyond your middle Ear. Finally, a hearing test may be needed, especially if you have a chronic ear infection.

Treatment

Most mild ear infections go away without intervention. Some of the following methods are effective in relieving the symptoms of mild ear infections.

Apply a warm washcloth to the affected ear

Medications:

Take over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Use over-the-counter ear drops or prescription ear drops to relieve pain.
Take over-the-counter decongestants such as Pseudoephedrine.
Talk to your doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve. You can also consult.
If the ear infection is chronic or not improved, antibiotics can be prescribed.
If a child under the age of 2 has symptoms of an ear infection, the doctor will probably also give antibiotics.
It is essential to complete the entire course of prescribed antibiotics.

Surgery:

Surgery may be an option if the ear infections do not go away with conventional treatments or if there are many ear infections in a short period. In most cases, a tube is placed in the Ear to allow the liquid to drain.

Surgical removal of the adenoid may be required if an enlarged adenoid is involved.

Some serious complications

If the condition is left untreated for the long term, it may cause serious complications such as:

Deafness
Child speech or language delay
Mastoiditis ( mastoid infection-bone of the skull)
Meningitis (Membrane’s bacterial infection-membrane that lines the brain and spinal cord)
Cracked eardrum

Preventive Measures

You can reduce the risk of ear infections in the following ways:

Wash your hands regularly
Avoid crowded areas
Give up pacifiers with babies and toddlers
Breastfeeding baby
Avoid indirect smoking
Keep vaccinations up to date

Risk factors:

Ear infections are most common in young children because the Eustachian tubes are short and thin. Baby bottle-fed babies have a higher incidence of ear infections than breastfed babies.

Other factors that increase your risk of developing ear infections are:

Change height
Climate change
Exposure to cigarette smoke
Use of a pacifier
Recent illness or ear infection

Who to consult?

If you or your family members are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed above, you should consult an ear specialist. The condition should not be avoided, as it may cause serious complications, even the complete loss of hearing.