{"id":1308,"date":"2017-11-20T05:29:44","date_gmt":"2017-11-20T05:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=1308"},"modified":"2021-03-16T15:06:08","modified_gmt":"2021-03-16T15:06:08","slug":"10-signs-ear-infection-cant-miss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/10-signs-ear-infection-cant-miss\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Signs of an Ear Infection You Can\u2019t Miss"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Virtually every part of the body is subject to infection, including the ears. When a bacteria or virus invades the middle ear \u2013 the part of the ear that sits just behind the ear drum \u2013 an infection develops. Infections of the middle ear can cause a mild to moderate pain, and the can also impact hearing.<\/p>\n

An ear infection can be either acute or chronic. Though painful, acute infections only last for a short period of time. A chronic ear infection can also be painful, and worse, they occur over and over again, or they do not clear and can cause lasting damage to either the middle or the inner ear \u2013 the inner most part of the ear that contains the cochlea, the auditory and vestibular nerve, as well as the mechanism that allows for balance.<\/p>\n

Ear infections develop when the Eustachian tube \u2013 the canal that links the middle ear to the upper portion of the throat and the back portion of the nasal cavity \u2013 becomes either clogged or swollen as a result of a sinus infection, a cold, swollen adenoids and a variety of other reasons.
\nHere\u2019s a look at 10 tell-tale signs that indicate you have an ear infection.<\/p>\n

1. Feeling like the flu<\/h3>\n

Common symptoms associated with the flu include congestion<\/a>, a headache, a runny nose and a fever; however, while these symptoms are often indicative of the flu, they can also be signs of an ear infection. An ear infection is often the result of sinus congestion that clogs the Eustachian tube.<\/p>\n

When this tube is blocked, it makes sense that it will lead to a headache, congestion, a runny nose and other symptoms that are commonly associated with the flu. If you experience these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, it\u2019s probably an ear infection.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. An uncomfortable feeling<\/h3>\n

One of the most obvious signs of an ear infection is discomfort<\/a> in the ear. This symptom often begins to appear before a full-blown infection sets in. At this stage, the discomfort is generally mild, but still unpleasant. As the infection increases, so will swelling in the ear, which will lead to more consistent, intense and even throbbing pain.<\/p>\n

You might also start to feel pressure or itching in your ear. You might also notice that there is pain radiating out from the ear and down toward the jaw. Discomfort might worsen at night or while moving.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Sleep interruptions<\/h3>\n

When you are experiencing discomfort in your ear as a result of an ear infection<\/a>, it stands to reason that it will become difficult to sleep.<\/p>\n

You might find that it\u2019s difficult to sleep on the side of your head where the ear infection lies, or the pain could just be so intense that it will become difficult to find become comfortable enough to actually fall asleep.<\/p>\n

Moreover, an ear infection can cause ringing to develop in the ear, which can make it even more difficult to fall asleep, and if you do fall asleep, to stay asleep.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Swelling of the ear<\/h3>\n

Another symptom that is often associated with an ear infection is actual swelling<\/a> of the ear. Swelling can occur when a high amount of pressure develops within the ear. This pressure leads to the discomfort that is usually experienced, which can be felt in and\/or around the ear.<\/p>\n

As the swelling worsens, it might start to feel as if the area surrounding your ear is hot.<\/p>\n

Typically, you will not be able to notice the swelling yourself; however, a healthcare provider will be able to see it when he or she is examining the ear.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Itching<\/h3>\n

If you start to experience intense itching in or around your ear, especially if that itching<\/a> is associated with a feeling of fullness or pain in the ear, or if you are noticing the development of a buzzing or ringing sound, it\u2019s more than likely an ear infection.<\/p>\n

As the infection spreads and the swelling progresses, the skin inside the ear, as well as the skin that surrounds it, can become extremely itchy. The itching may develop along the Eustachian tube, or the point inside the head between the ear and the upper throat, which can be impossible to scratch.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. A Fever<\/h3>\n

It is not uncommon to develop a fever<\/a> along with an ear infection. Just like any other bacterial or viral infection, the body reacts to the presence of a foreign pathogen and will try to drive it out by increasing its temperature.<\/p>\n

The goal of a fever is to make your body less habitable for the infection, thus driving it out. As long as the fever remains low-grade (below 102 degrees F) it shouldn\u2019t be any real cause for concern.<\/p>\n

However, if you develop a high-grade fever, you should seek prompt medical attention, as the infection could be spreading.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Dizziness<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s also very common for an ear infection to be accompanied by a feeling of being off-kilter, or dizziness<\/a>. Within the ear lies the mechanism that allows the body to maintain and feel balanced. When an infection of the ear arises, the swelling can push on this mechanism, which can lead to feelings of dizziness.<\/p>\n

You might notice that you feel as if you are on a tilt-a-whirl, and it may even become difficult to walk straight or even stand up. Additionally, you might feel confused or disorientated. If the ear infection goes untreated, long-term balance issues could arise.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Discharge<\/h3>\n

If an ear infection is severe, it can perforate the ear drum, which can cause discharge<\/a> to expel from the affected ear. As fluid builds up in the middle ear, it can actually cause a tear in the ear drum.<\/p>\n

This tear will allow the excess fluid that has built up in the middle ear to leak out of the ear itself.<\/p>\n

The discharge may be clear, or it could have a yellowish or even blood-tinged color to it. There might also be a foul odor associated with it. If this happens, immediate medical treatment is absolutely necessary.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Decreased appetite<\/h3>\n

Whenever you develop any type of infection, your appetite can be affected. The reason for the decreased desire to eat is that your body needs to use as much energy as possible to combat the infection; in this case, the infection that is affecting the ear.<\/p>\n

Moreover, if you are experiencing flu like symptoms, such as a fever and\/or a headache<\/a>, your desire to eat may become even less. Though you may not feel like it, it\u2019s important to eat so your body has the energy that it needs in order to fight off the ear infection.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. Ringing or buzzing in the ear<\/h3>\n

Lastly, another very common sign of an ear infection is hearing a ringing or buzzing sound in the ear. The swelling within the middle ear could actually cause reverberations that affect the ear drum<\/a>, which will result in hearing a buzzing of ringing sound.<\/p>\n

The sound may be mild and hardly noticeable, or it can become intense and high-pitched. It might also wax and wane, meaning that it will be more pronounced at certain times of the day than others. See a doctor as soon as it\u2019s possible to avoid long-term hearing problems.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Rash<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most people experience ear infection symptoms as pain or discomfort inside the ear canal. However, ear infections can affect the entire area around the ear on the surface of your skin as well. Some people may develop a rash<\/a> on the outside of the ear that extends down the side of their face or the neck. The outbreak may also affect the earlobes, but it\u2019s not as common.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since the ear canal leads to the Eustachian tubes, which empty into the throat, the bacteria or virus causing the infection may also enter these passages, leading to inflammation. As a result, the inflammation spreads to the outer layers of your skin, where it starts to cause a rash. The rash may appear as tiny bumps, or affect an area around the side of your throat, looking more like a solid plaque.<\/span><\/p>\n

These symptoms of rash begin to dissipate when the patient starts treatment with antibiotics that kill off the invading bacteria or virus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"12. Disruptions in Hearing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An ear infection starts as bacteria make their home in the dark, damp area inside your ear canal. The warmth from circulation and the darkness provide the ideal environment for the infection to grow and spread. As a result, you may not notice the initial signs of an ear infection until the bacteria or virus reach a critical tipping point where they start to produce severe amounts of inflammation inside the ear.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the infection increases inflammation, it may cause blockages in your ear canal that start to affect your hearing. The vestibular system is a web of 12-nerves that run from the base of your skull through your neck and into the chest area. The vestibular system is responsible for processing noises into waves that our brain interprets as sound. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, when the vestibular system<\/a> inflames due to an ear infection, the affected individual may experience disruptions in sound, as well as a diminished ability to hear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"13. A Stiff Neck<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An ear infection is a painful condition. Not only do you have to worry about pain inside your ear, but the virus or bacteria may also cause other complications in areas of the head and body as the virus or bacteria continues to spread. One of the more common signs of complications involving an ear infection is the development of a stiff neck<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the type of infection, your neck may start to feel stiff and sore, especially when rising from bed in the morning. The sudden engagement of your neck muscles as you tense your neck to stabilize your head as you get out of bed may trigger these pain symptoms, and they tend to progress throughout the day. <\/span><\/p>\n

This pain is an incredibly uncomfortable sensation, and it occurs due to the inflammation of tissues below the ear canal that connect to your neck. Infection of the Eustachian tubes also produces pain symptoms in the neck as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"14. Intensity of Symptoms When Lying Down<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An ear infection starts in the middle ear and spreads throughout the entire complex of canals and tubes in the ear. One of the more common symptoms of advanced ear infection is an increase in pain symptoms that occur when you lie down. <\/span><\/p>\n

As you lie down, your body relieves blood pressure<\/a>, as the heart no longer has the work as hard to bring the blood back up from your lower limbs. This reduction in blood pressure intensifies pain symptoms, and you may notice that you start to develop a throbbing sensation in your ear as the blood rushes through the arteries in your neck on the way to the brain. Sitting up reduces these pain symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

These feelings of pain will reduce with the administration of anti-inflammatories and painkillers to accompany your antibiotic treatment. You should start to notice a reduction in pain symptoms in as little as 24-hours after starting antibiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

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