Ear Infections

When the eustachian tubes in the back of your throat become swollen and clogged, they can cause blockage leading to mucus accumulation in the middle ear. This mucus formation can further lead to ear infections. The fluid build-up then becomes sticky and thick in about 3 months and can, in certain cases, put heavy pressure, ultimately tearing down your eardrum. In some children, this fluid remains even after the infection and causes impairment in their hearing, speech and language learning. This is also called the glue ear. 

Infections of the middle ear can be of several types such as:

1. Acute otitis media
2. Otitis media with effusion
3. Chronic otitis media with effusion 

Middle ear, a small vacuum behind your eardrum hosts tiny vibrating bones that send sounds to your inner ear. The eustachian tubes are thin canals, acting as connectors between the middle ear and the back of your throat. Their core functionality is to regulate air pressure within and drain normal fluids so that it doesn’t become a breeding ground for bacteria, germs, and viruses. Any interference here in the tube by means of swelling or irritation can cause the fluid to accumulate inside.

Causes Of Ear Infections

It may not always be feasible to prevent ear infections fully, especially if they are occurring as secondary infections in conditions like common cold. Ear infections are mainly caused by the growth of bacteria, fungi or viruses. You are at a higher risk of ear infections in the following cases -

• Tobacco smoking (including passive smoking)
• Poor air quality
• Upper respiratory infections
• Allergies
• Common cold
• Sinus infection
• Feeding children with bottle while they are lying down
• More hours in the day care
• Being male
• Sore throat
• Air pressure (during flight journey)
• Constant moisture due to poor drying after bath 
• Unsuitability to swimming pool water
• Overdoing when it comes to cleaning ears 
• Scratches or cuts due to frequent touching

Diagnosing Ear Infections 

Ear infections are extremely common, and often resolve on their own without any specific treatment, generally, in about 3 days time. In children, you can characterize their symptoms in ear infections slightly differently. For instance: Your child keeps rubbing or pulling its ears, expresses discomfort around the ear, has fever, redness, and swelling around the ear, behaves irritably and is less active than usual, cries uncontrollably, faces challenges in sleeping, and exhibits Flu-like symptoms i.e. cold, sore throat, runny nose.

Symptoms of Ear Infections

Here are some signs that indicate an infection in your middle ear:

1. High fever
2. Feeling unwell
3. Pain in the ears
4. Challenges in hearing
5. Sore throat
6. Discharge flowing from the ear
7. Heaviness inside the ear
8. Weakness
9. Nasal congestion
10. Not willing to eat during feeding (in infants)
11. Discomfort or pressure in the ear
12. Itchy sensation in and around the ear
13. Irritation and scaling in and around the ear
14. Pus buildup
15. Cough
16. Loss of appetite
17. Noises within the ear like that of a buzzing, or a ringing sound
18. Feeling heat inside the ear
19. Nausea or vomiting
20. Imbalance, in very rare cases

Ear Infection Treatment
 

Here are some dos and don’ts to follow in order to get faster recovery and relief while getting treated for ear infections.

1. Wipe off with a clean cloth or cotton wool, any discharge secreting from the ear
2. Keep a warm cloth on the affected ear and avoid sleeping on the same side as the affected ear
3. Do not put anything into the ear canal like earbuds, or your fingers to pull out the wax
4. Be careful while bathing or washing your hair / face to not let water / shampoo pass into the ears during an infection
5. Avoid swimming when you are recovering from an ear infection
6. It is advisable to use earplugs for swimming even after the infection has resided to avoid any relapse
7. If there is persistent pain or discomfort, swelling or fluid discharge, repeated ear infection and hearing loss, see a doctor immediately. Your ear specialist will examine inside your ear with a lighted tool (otoscope) and at times, blow air using pneumatic otoscope to find out blockages if any
8. Eardrops and other medicines may be prescribed by the doctor after assessing the cause of your ear infection and its severity 
9. Proper cleaning shall be done by the doctor 
10. Avoid any improper self-cleaning methods for your child, as the body is tuned to clean the ear by itself and needs no external intervention from your end
11. The doctor, in specific rare cases, where fluid continues to stay even after the infection is gone, may ask for a small ear tube to be placed (that are meant to fall out on their own or by surgery later), through an operation procedure called myringotomy

In extremely rare conditions, ear infections can also lead to further complications like mastoiditis (infection of the bones behind the ears), meningitis (infection of the brain membrane), sepsis, and paralysis of a nerve on your face.

Disclaimer: 

This page is for informational purposes only and not a replacement to any direct medical consultation provided by professionals. Should you have any questions about your health, reach out to qualified healthcare providers and medical experts for personalized advice and further guidance.