Ear Pain – What is, Causes, Diagnosis & Best Treatment

 

A severe, dull, or searing discomfort in one or both ears is known as an earache. The discomfort might be temporary or persistent. Included in the conditions are:

  • Medial otitis
  • Swimmer's ear
  • Malignant external otitis

Medications & Treatments for Ear Pain:

Treatment for ear discomfort frequently depends on the underlying cause of the issue. Medication, surgery, and natural cures are frequently used as treatments.

Options for Medication:

Your doctor can suggest over-the-counter (OTC) medications like  Etadol 100mg to treat ear discomfort.

To help with the pain, your doctor could also suggest over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops. However, if there's a risk the eardrum has burst, you should never take them.

Causes of ear pain:

The Eustachian tube connects the back of the neck to the middle portion of each ear. The fluid produced in the middle ear is drained through this tube. Fluid might accumulate if the Eustachian tube becomes obstructed. This might result in ear infections or pressure behind the eardrum.

Adults are less prone to have ear discomfort from an ear infection. Your teeth, your jaw's temporomandibular joint, or even your throat might be the source of any ear pain you have. It is known as "referred" pain.

There are several potential causes of ear discomfort:

  • Inflammation of the jaw
  • Acute (short-term) ear infection
  • Chronic long-term ear infection
  • Pressure change-related ear damage (from high altitudes and other causes)
  • Obstruction in the ear or earwax accumulation
  • Gaping eardrum hole
  • Nasal infection
  • Unwell throat
  • TMJ syndrome: Temporomandibular joint disorder
  • Decay in the teeth

An infection may be the cause of ear discomfort in children or infants. Other potential factors include:

  • Inflammation of the ear canal from cotton-tipped swabs
  • Shampoo or soap remaining in the ear

Ear pain symptoms and signs:

An earache may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Loss of fluid from the ear
  • Loss of hearing
  • Headache
  • Having trouble chewing
  • Jaw ache
  • Popping or clicking
  • (In children) Fussiness and irritability
  • A rise in children's crying
  • Appetite loss in children

How Is Pain in the Ear Diagnosed?

Based on your symptoms and medical history, a doctor can determine the cause of your ear ache. To determine what is causing your ear discomfort, they will probably use an otoscope, a device with a light, to examine your ears, nose, and throat and look for redness or other signs.

A simple test known as a tympanogram that measures middle ear pressure can also be used by a doctor to quickly determine whether an ear infection is present. This involves blowing air against the eardrum to observe if it is moving properly using an otoscope.

 


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