Do you have a hard time hearing? Does it sound like there is a loud static noise in your ears or ringing in your ears? You may be experiencing an ear infection or allergy-related fullness within your ear. Ear infections can be very serious. To learn more, read on.
Ear Infections can Impact Anyone
Children and adults can both experience an ear infection at different stages of their lives. Symptoms defined mostly in children include: scratching or pulling on the ears, fever, drainage from the ear, hearing difficulties and vomiting.
Older children and teens can also experience dizziness, nausea and the extreme feeling of pressure in the ear.
Adult symptoms include many of the above, plus pain in the ear, also known as earache, loss of balance, and drainage from the ear canal. Because these ear infections can happen just as quickly as an allergy attack, it is important to take note of how you feel during an allergy season and when you have an ear infection.
Sometimes the pain in the ear is so strong that your jaw will begin to hurt, and there could be swelling of the glands in your neck and an acute pressure. Ear infections, if left untreated, will cause other parts of the body to become sickly as well.
Causes of Ear Infections
Ear infections are primarily caused by bacteria. These include Streptococcus pneumoniae (the most common bacterial culprit), Haemophilus influenzae, the second-most common type of bacteria responsible for causing ear infections, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.
Although there are many causes for an ear infection, here are some more common reasons: The Eustachian tube of the ear is blocked for a long period of time, this is the one item that is considered the main reason behind ear infections.
Blockage of the Eustachian tube stems from allergies, the common cold, accumulation of fluids (shower water or swimming) and infections from the respiratory system. A blocked Eustachian tube due to fluids trapped behind the ear drum can cause swelling, redness and earache - possibly resulting in bursting of the ear drum, which can then lead to hearing loss and other complications.
Generally speaking, the most widely known treatment for ear infection is antibiotics. Some cases may require antihistamines, decongestants and a saline nose spray.
If the severity of the pain is such that it prevents you from doing normal daily chores or going to work, your physician may prescribe pain killers.
Surgery is only used in cases where the ear refuses to respond to medication. If you suffer from allergies as many people do, it is wise to keep a good watch on your ears. If you feel any of the symptoms above, please see your physician as soon as possible.
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References:
“Middle Ear, Tympanic Membrane, Infections.” Emedicine.com Accessed February 22, 2009
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