Anyone at any age can develop an ear infection. This occurs when we are infants or children but can happen to adults as well. The middle ear experiences pain when fluids build up. This is usually an upper respiratory complication rather than a singular occurrence. There is a tube that runs between the throat and the inner ear. Bacteria can breed and multiply to dangerous proportions when fluid builds up there due to a swelling and closing off the Eustachian tube. Irritatingly and persistent pain in the ear is called Otitis Media.

Otitis Media Brings With It:

– Possible loss of hearing
– A ringing in the ear or a false sense of the ear being stuffed with something, usually described as fullness in the ear
– You may also experience fever
– Dizziness
– A runny nose
– A severe headache

Antibiotics Will Help Prevent Infection

If you develop Otitis Media, you will need to visit your doctor. More than likely, he will prescribe a decongestant and possibly an antibiotic ointment. There are also things that you can do to help yourself recover.

Earache Recovery Includes…

– Rest-and plenty of it
– Drink clear fluids
– When you blow your nose, keep your mouth open and blow gently
– Cover the infected ear with a warm pad or water bottle. Heat will help with your comfort level
– A vaporizer will moisten the air. This will help with congestion. Use a cool mist vaporizer because as is more effective for breathing
– Shrink mucus membranes and decrease congestions with nose drops like antihistamines or other decongestants
– Tylenol, ibuprofen, or aspirin will help with the pain, however, never give aspirin to teens or younger as it could cause Reye\’s syndrome, a rare but deadly condition.

Don\’t Stick That In Your Ear

The urge to put a cotton swab or other item into your ear to alleviate pain will be great, but you must resist. The eardrum could rupture. Any build-up of pressure, a sharp blow to the ear or head, or inserting a sharp object into the ear could cause a rupture of the eardrum. A ruptured eardrum can lead to serious problems and you should see a doctor right away. Your information will be protected by the HIPAA Security Rule. Signs that your eardrum has ruptured or that something is seriously wrong includes…

– Ear pain that can be mild to severe
– Partial hearing loss, usually temporary
– Yellowish-white discharge from the ear, while gross, is an indication that your eardrum has been blown

Temporary Or Permanent Hearing Loss

A ruptured eardrum will be susceptible to infection. If this occurs, you could lose your hearing permanently. You should see your doctor to get antibiotics to treat for infection. It usually takes two or more months for your eardrum to heal during which time it is extremely important to protect against further damage. A ruptured ear, while very painful, will heal and hearing should return but if you re-injure the eardrum, you could lose your hearing permanently. A one-time rupture is not dangerous but numerous ruptures are dangerous. Protect your hearing.

Author Bio: For more information please visit our Blood Borne Pathogens Training website.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Hearing Loss,HIPAA Security Rule,vaporizer ,Media,Ear Drum Rupture