A Simple Guide to Ear Infections
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What are Ear Infections?
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What are Ear Infections?
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Otitis Externa
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The most common infections of the ear is in the external ear.
Wax in the ear over time can cause blockage to the external canal.
Digging for wax in the ear irritates the lining of the external canal and allows bacteria to infect the external ear and the eardrum.
Foreign bodies such as cotton from cotton buds used to clean the ear, beads in children, may be stucked in the ear causing bacterial or fungal infection. Other foreign body are insects which flew into the ear and cannot get out, leaving the dead insect in the ear.
Trauma or injury to the ear may also cause bacteria to enter the injured tissue of the ear.
The most common infections of the ear is in the external ear.
Wax in the ear over time can cause blockage to the external canal.
Digging for wax in the ear irritates the lining of the external canal and allows bacteria to infect the external ear and the eardrum.
Foreign bodies such as cotton from cotton buds used to clean the ear, beads in children, may be stucked in the ear causing bacterial or fungal infection. Other foreign body are insects which flew into the ear and cannot get out, leaving the dead insect in the ear.
Trauma or injury to the ear may also cause bacteria to enter the injured tissue of the ear.
Otitis Media
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Infection or inflammation of the middle ear (Otitis Media) is another common cause of earaches.
It is common for ear infections to develop when a person suffers a cold, flu or another type of respiratory infection. This is because the middle ear is connected to the upper respiratory tract by a pair of tiny conduits known as Eustachian tubes.
Ear infections occur more frequently in infants and children but can also affect adults.
Infection or inflammation of the middle ear (Otitis Media) is another common cause of earaches.
It is common for ear infections to develop when a person suffers a cold, flu or another type of respiratory infection. This is because the middle ear is connected to the upper respiratory tract by a pair of tiny conduits known as Eustachian tubes.
Ear infections occur more frequently in infants and children but can also affect adults.
What are the Symptoms of Ear Infections?
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In adults:
Earache (this may be felt as a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain)
Fever and chills
Nasal congestion
Feeling of fullness in the ear
Muffled hearing
In adults:
Earache (this may be felt as a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain)
Fever and chills
Nasal congestion
Feeling of fullness in the ear
Muffled hearing
In Children:
Tugging at the ear
Poor sleep
Fever
Irritability or restlessness
Ear discharge
Nasal discharge
Diminished appetite
Crying at night when lying down
What is theTreatment for Ear infections?
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Tugging at the ear
Poor sleep
Fever
Irritability or restlessness
Ear discharge
Nasal discharge
Diminished appetite
Crying at night when lying down
What is theTreatment for Ear infections?
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Ear infections caused by viral infections are treated with decongestants to reduce the swelling in the Eustachian tubes.
Ear infections caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics.
Wax and foreign bodies are usually removed by aural toilet(washing of external ear canal with warm water)
What are complications of ear infections?
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Most external ear infections can be treated easily and resolved without any damage to the surrouding tissues.
In Otitis Media, there is danger of spread of the infections to the surounding bone tissue, labrynth, facial nerve, meninges and brain.
Acute mastoiditis
labrynthitis
Meningitis
Brain abscess
Facial palsy
Deafness
Acute mastoiditis
labrynthitis
Meningitis
Brain abscess
Facial palsy
Deafness
