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Can An Ear Infection Give You A Headache

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What Causes Inner Ear Infections

How Can Ear Problems Cause Dizziness? | Ear Problems

Infections can happen in any part of the ear, including the inner section. When the inner ear is infected, the problem is sometimes known as labyrinthitis.

The infection can be caused by a virus or bacteria, which usually reach the inner ear after affecting another part of your body.

  • Viral Infections: Lots of different viruses can affect the inner ear, including the common cold and flu. The infection usually spread to the inner ear from other parts of the body , so you may start to develop symptoms related to your inner ear after noticing cold-like symptoms. Antibiotics cant help with this type of infection.
  • Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections are less common, especially in adults, but they can happen. Bacteria are more likely to get into the inner ear if the membranes separating it from the inner ear are broken, which might happen if you have a middle ear infection. If the infection is caused by bacteria then taking antibiotics might help.

In some cases, the problem that we call an inner ear infection isnt actually an infection at all. Labyrinthitis can happen when the inner ear becomes inflamed for other reasons, for example if you have an autoimmune condition that causes your immune system to mistakenly attack the tissue. You might need to get treatment for this underlying condition in order to prevent the inner ear problems from returning.

Headaches And Inner Ear Disease

There is an increasing association between headaches and inner ear disease. Migraine related ear symptoms may vary from patient to patient and may take the form of episodic vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo , recurrent benign positional vertigo, Menieres disease, ear pain, aural pressure, tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss, and sudden hearing loss. Awareness of these possible associations is important because symptoms often respond to migraine treatments.

Can You Treat Migraine Earaches

The next question is how to treat the earaches. One small study by an ENT found that 92 percent of 26 patients in his practice who unexplained ear pain found relief from migraine treatment.1 Thats great if you have effective migraine abortives or preventives. If not, applying heat or an ice pack to the location of the pain may provide some relief.

The good news is that your ears are probably fine . The bad news is that the treatment is the same thing youre probably already searching for helpful migraine medications , other preventive treatments, and ways to avoid or minimize triggers.

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Other Considerations Warnings And Precautions

The conditions discussed represent the leading causes of the paired symptoms of headache and earache. However, other less common ailments might also trigger these symptoms. See your doctor if you experience coexisting head and ear pain, especially if these symptoms persist for more than a few days.

Contact your doctor right away or seek urgent medical care if your symptoms are accompanied by any warning signs or symptoms, including:

  • Fever or chills
  • Confusion, agitation, drowsiness or other mental changes
  • Dizziness or a spinning sensation
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • The conditions discussed represent the leading causes of the paired symptoms of headache and earache.
  • See your doctor if you experience coexisting head and ear pain, especially if these symptoms persist for more than a few days.

How Are People With Migraines Different

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Migraines are an inherited problem of ion channels in the brain. This may be caused by a sensitive brain. Most individuals exposed to loud noise, bright light, or excessive motion can adapt to these strong stimuli within minutes, but in the brain of someone who suffers from migraines, the continued stimulus can cause a migraine.

This lack of ability to adapt to strong sensory stimulation helps us understand why so many patients have a migraine headache or other migraine symptoms that can be caused by bright light, excessive noise, strong smells, excessive motion, and painful stimuli.

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Clogged Ear: The Sinus

A sinus infection primarily affects your nose, but symptoms can extend to the ears as well. The sinus-ear connection stems from the fact that your sinuses and ears are connected; therefore, clogged and congested sinuses also affect the ears.

There are many ways you can help improve your sinus infection and obtain relief in your ears. Below are some tips that can help decongest your sinuses.

  • Use a nasal saline or apply a warm moist washcloth to your nose to add moisture. Humidifiers are also useful to help add moisture to the air and not dry out your nose.
  • Over-the-counter pain medications can help relieve ear pain.
  • Over-the-counter decongestants can help clear out sinus cavities.
  • Avoid extreme temperatures; hot or cold weather can worsen sinuses.
  • Keep your head up; putting it down applies added pressure.

Sinus-related ear problems can also lead to dizziness. If you experience dizziness due to sinuses, you may want to avoid fast movements as it can increase dizziness. Its also important to drink plenty of water to thin mucus and avoid caffeine, salt, alcohol and tobacco, which alter blood flow and can worsen dizziness.

Related:;Sinusitis Vertigo and Dizziness, A Complication of Sinus Infection

How Are Headaches Treated

Treatment for headaches depends on what the doctor thinks is the likely cause. But you can care for most everyday headaches at home.

To help ease the pain, have your child:

  • Lie down in a cool, dark, quiet room.
  • Put a cool, moist cloth across the forehead or eyes.
  • Relax.
  • Breathe easily and deeply.

Make sure your child has had something to eat and drink. Kids with migraines often just want to sleep and may feel better when they wake up. A big part of treating migraines is avoiding the triggers that can cause them. That’s where a headache diary can be helpful.

You also can give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Read the label to make sure that you give the right dose at the right time. If you have any questions about how much to give, check with the doctor. And if your child is under age 2 or has other medical problems, call your doctor before giving any pain reliever. Your doctor can tell you whether you should give it and, if so, how much .

Never give aspirin to kids or teens unless the doctor advises you to. Aspirin can cause Reye syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.

If your child gets migraine headaches often, the doctor may prescribe a medicine to take when they start or daily to try to prevent them.

Discuss pain management with your doctor. This might include trying things that don’t involve medicine, such as:

  • relaxation exercises
  • avoiding triggers

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What Causes Middle Ear Infections

Most middle ear infections occur when an infection such as a cold, leads to a build-up of mucus in the middle ear and causes the Eustachian tube to become swollen or blocked.

This mean mucus can’t drain away properly, making it easier for an infection to spread into the middle ear.

An enlarged adenoid can also block the Eustachian tube. The adenoid can be removed if it causes persistent or frequent ear infections. Read more about removing adenoids.

Younger children are particularly vulnerable to middle ear infections as:

  • the Eustachian tube is smaller in children than in adults
  • a child’s adenoids are relatively much larger than an adults

Certain conditions can also increase the risk of middle ear infections, including:

  • having a cleft palate a type of birth defect where a child has a split in the roof of their mouth
  • having Down’s syndrome a genetic condition that typically causes some level of learning disability and a characteristic range of physical features

Ear Ache Headache And Upset Stomach

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Earache and accompanying headache can be related to infections anywhere in the ear canal or a sinus infection. Migraine could also be a less common cause of these symptoms. Upset stomach can develop with migraine or other types of headache or pain. Be sure to seek the advice of a doctor if you develop ear and head pain along with nausea or upset stomach.

While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:

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Medicines For Outer Ear Infection

Your GP may recommend or prescribe the following medicines to treat your outer ear infection and ease your symptoms.

  • Over-the-counter painkillers. Your GP may recommend over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease any pain. They may prescribe codeine if your pain is severe.
  • Ear drops or sprays. Your GP may prescribe ear drops or a spray containing an antibiotic or an antifungal. Sometimes this may be combined with a corticosteroid. You usually need to use these for at least seven days and up to a maximum of 14 days.
  • Antibiotic tablets or capsules. Oral antibiotics arent usually needed for outer ear infections. But your GP may prescribe them if you have a serious infection or an infection that cant be treated with ear drops and sprays. Your GP may refer you to a specialist if you need oral antibiotics.

Always read the instruction leaflet that comes with your medicines. If you have any questions about your medicines and how to take them, ask your pharmacist. We have more information on applying ear drops in our FAQ: What is the best way to apply ear drops?

Preventing Outer Ear Infection

The following tips can help to reduce your risk of having an outer ear infection.

  • Try to keep the inside of your ears dry by keeping shampoo and water out of your ears when youre having a shower or a bath. Dry your ears with a dry towel or hair dryer afterwards.
  • Dont use cotton buds or other objects to clean your ear canal.
  • Use ear plugs and/or a tight-fitting swimming cap when you go swimming, to prevent water getting in your ears. Dont swim in polluted water.
  • Consider using acidic drops before and after swimming if youre prone to outer ear infections. You can buy these from a pharmacy.
  • If you have a skin condition such as eczema;or psoriasis, make sure you keep it under control as much as possible.
  • If you have a build-up of earwax, see a doctor or nurse to check if you need to get it removed. Dont try to do it yourself.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Middle Ear Infection In Adults

When bacteria or viruses get stuck behind the ear from the mouth, eye and nasal passages, then there is an infection of the middle ear. Which results are ear pain and ear plugs. Because of this, some people may also have trouble hearing.

Some symptoms of middle ear infection in adult :-

  • Ear pain
  • Feeling of fullness in the hear
  • Fluid draining the ear
  • Also some possible complications of a middle ear infection are including :-

  • Infection in other parts of the head
  • Hosting hearing loss.
  • Speech and language problems.
  • Middle ear infection can affects both children and adults. Pain and fever are the most common symptoms which can occur in both children and adults.

    Signs Of Ear Infection Complications

    Can My Kid Still Get an Ear Infection With Tubes?

    An ear infection is generally a non-serious condition, with complications being rare. In some cases, however, minor complications can occur. These may include:

    • Rupture of the eardrum: Also known as a tympanic membrane rupture, this is one of the most common ear infection complications. The rupture does not hurt and may lead to relief from earache. The rupture will usually heal quickly, but antibiotics may be necessary.
    • Hearing loss: The fluid buildup that may occur as a result of infection can persist after the infection itself has resolved. This can cause short-term, but also prolonged hearing loss. Generally, the fluid will disappear naturally, though surgical treatment is available if it persists for longer than roughly three months.

    If you are concerned that you may be experiencing a complication of an ear infection, try using the Ada app to find out what the problem may be.

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    Olive Oil For Pain Behind The Ear

    You can use olive oil as a natural medicine to soften ear wax and help treat a mild infection of the outer ear. Warm olive oil helps to loosen and dissolve ear wax to naturally unblock your ears.

    How to use olive oil for earache:

  • Slightly warm the olive oil.
  • Put some of the warm olive oil into a dropper.
  • Lie on your side and put some drops of the olive oil remedy in your sore ear.
  • Let the remedy go to work for a few minutes.
  • Put a cotton ball on your ear, sit up, and remove excess wax from your outer ear.
  • Repeat a few times a day until the pain behind your ear has gone for good.
  • You can also use food grade 3% hydrogen peroxide to help clear a mild outer ear infection that is causing you pain.

    How Are Cluster Headaches Treated

    Unfortunately, there is no cure for cluster headaches. But you do have treatment options that can make them a little less painful. Treatment options include:

    • Abortive treatment to stop attacks: Often, a headache will stop before you have a chance to see a healthcare provider. But if you get there in time, there are several effective ways to stop a cluster headache. A healthcare provider may give you injected medications or a nasal spray. These include sumatriptan, dihydroergotamine and zolmitriptan. The provider may also give you oxygen through a mask.
    • Medications to improve quality of life: Prescription medications can shorten a headache cycle. They can also make the headaches less severe. Calcium channel blockers, verapamil, lithium carbonate, divalproex sodium, melatonin or topiramate may help. There is a new preventive therapy that is a calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody.
    • Other options when needed: Surgeons have tried operations for cluster headaches. But they havent had much success preventing them. Researchers are now testing newer therapies to see if they can work. One option uses mild electrical stimulation on the neck. Another creates electrical stimulation by placing a medical device through the upper gums.

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    How Middle Ear Infections Are Treated

    Most ear infections clear up within three to five days and don’t need any specific treatment. If necessary, paracetamol or ibuprofen should be used to relieve pain and a high temperature.

    Make sure any painkillers you give to your child are appropriate for their age. Read more about giving your child painkillers.

    Antibiotics aren’t routinely used to treat middle ear infections, although they may occasionally be prescribed if symptoms persist or are particularly severe.

    Read more about treating middle ear infections

    What Is Your Diagnosis

    Infectious Diseases A-Z: Does your child have ear pain?
  • Cavernous sinus thrombosis

  • Giant cell arteritis

  • Based on the clinical presentation of a persistent headache and the radiologic evidence in the CT scans , our working diagnosis was cerebral venous sinus thrombosis secondary to mastoiditis. Results of a work-up for a major thrombophilia defect were negative. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography 5) confirmed the diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Heparin was given intravenously, and the patient subsequently received a vitamin K antagonist for three months. The headache gradually resolved with no neurologic sequelae.

    Magnetic resonance venogram showing normal right transverse sinus , sigmoid sinus and internal jugular sinus . The corresponding sinuses and internal jugular vein on the left side are not visible because of thrombosis.

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    When To Seek Medical Advice

    Most cases of otitis media pass within a few days, so there’s usually no need to see your GP.

    However, see your GP if you or your child have:

    • symptoms showing no sign of improvement after two or three days
    • a lot of pain
    • a discharge of pus or fluid from the ear some people develop a persistent and painless ear discharge that lasts for many months, known as chronic suppurative otitis media
    • an underlying health condition, such as cystic fibrosis or congenital heart disease, which could make complications more likely

    Read more about diagnosing middle ear infections

    How To Keep A Headache Diary

    Keeping a headache diary may be one of the most important tools for you and your physician to make treatment decisions. The simpler the record-keeping, the better. Use two pencils or pens of different color. With one color, mark the days you have headaches. With the other color, mark the days you have dizziness or symptoms other than headache. Make a note of any possible physiologic, dietary, or environmental triggers that have been present in the 24 hours prior to your symptoms.

    Dont forget to bring your diary with you to your appointments. It will allow you and your physician to see your symptoms at a glance.

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    What Causes Ear Infection And Body Aches

    Whilst ear infection is particularly not uncommon ailment, you should never shrug this off especially if it accompanies body aches. Below are the conditions that may be the culprit of your ear infection, body aches and other symptoms. ;

    1.;Middle ear infection ;

    Also known as the otitis media, this condition occurs when your middle ear is infected, causing inflammation and fluid buildup behind your ear drum.

    Symptoms: Symptoms quickly develop and resolve in a few days. The main symptoms are fever, earache, lack of energy and slight hearing loss. In some cases, hole develops in the eardrum and pus runs out of the ear.

    Treatment: Most infections dont need any specific treatment as they get cleared up within 3-5 days. Ibuprofen or paracetamol may be given to relieve high temperature and pain.

    2.;Viral syndrome ;

    This is a type of infection that is caused by virus which mostly affect the respiratory tract, however,;any body part can also get affected.

    Symptoms: Symptoms are similar to that of a person with a viral infection. These are:

    • Stuffy or runny nose
    • Headache and pain around the area of your eyes
    • Ear infection,;body aches
    • Sore throat, cough and hoarseness
    • Joint pains and muscle aches
    • Wheezing or shortness of breath
    • Diarrhea, cramps and abdominal pain

    3.;Gastroenteritis ;

    Also known as the stomach flu, this condition occurs when your intestines and stomach are inflamed and irritated and is typically caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

    4.;Acute sinusitis ;

    Symptoms:

    Symptoms: ;

    Signs That You Have An Ear Infection

    Ear Infection

    Ear infections are one of the most uncomfortable common illnesses. They frequently appear in children, but they can occur in adults, too, especially if you wear hearing aids. Here are fifteen signs that you have an ear infection.

    1. Pain in the ear;

    One of the first things most people notice is a pain in the ear. Earache can be dull and throbbing or sharp and stabbing. Some people experience ear infection pain as a burning sensation. Ear infection pain doesnt usually last longer than three days.;

    ;2. Headaches;

    Some ear infections can cause headaches. Blockages in the ear, such as from infection, could account for your headache. If an object or impacted wax is blocking your ear, though, this could be the problem instead.

    ;3. Nausea and vomiting;

    Ear infections are often accompanied by nausea , loss of appetite, and vomiting. If you are vomiting, try to stay hydrated by taking small sips of water. Call your doctor if the vomiting doesnt stop.

    ;4. Dizziness;

    The ears are the bodys center of balance. Some types of ear infections affect your balance and cause dizziness and vertigo. It may feel like things are moving or spinning. Be extra careful when youre standing, walking, or driving.;

    ;5. Itchiness;

    Itching is one of the many signs of an ear infection. It can be in the ear canal itself, or on the lobe or outer ear. Its always best to refrain from scratching where possible, as you dont want to spread the infection or irritate your ear more.;

    ;6. Scaly skin in the ear;

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    What This Means For You

    Although more research is required to reach a conclusive diagnosis, there is enough scientific proof from clinical trials and studies that show treating GERD directly may also improve ear and nose symptoms.;

    As a GERD patient experiencing ear and sinus complications, we recommend visiting an ENT and informing him or her regarding your chronic reflux condition. With this information, you can have peace of mind knowing that there are medical therapies available to improve your discomfort.;

    Possible Causes Of Aching Ears And Headaches

    Getting through the work day is challenging when you’re dealing with aching ears and headaches. These symptoms generally point to medical conditions involving one or more structures in your head, such as your ears, sinuses or upper jaw.

    If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

    “Migraines very often are the cause of an aching ear and headaches,” notes Lawrence Lustig, MD, otolaryngologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. But if there’s unexplained pain in the ears or head region, you’ll likely require an MRI or CT scan to get at the root cause, he adds.

    We’ll explore a few common causes below, but keep in mind that an accurate diagnosis is the key to resolving your pain, so you should check in with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.

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    Causes Of Ear Infection

    Ear infections are typically caused by viral or bacterial infections, often as a result of other conditions such as a cold or flu. In the case of otitis media, these illnesses can result in a blockage of the Eustachian tubes. This blockage creates a vacuum which allows bacteria to enter the middle ear.

    In the case of outer ear infections, certain factors make the occurrence more likely. These include:

    • Substances in the ear: Water or other substances in the ear may create an environment where an accumulation of bacteria becomes more likely. This can cause infection. The subsequent itching after infection can cause skin irritation, which may make an infection worse. As otitis externa is common in people who swim regularly, the condition is sometimes referred to as swimmerâs ear.
    • Warm weather: The condition is more common in warmer countries.
    • Skin issues: Irritated skin, as a result of skin problems such as eczema, may make otitis externa more likely.
    • Otitis media: Ear discharge as a result of otitis media can sometimes become lodged in the ear and cause otitis externa.

    Inner ear infections , in most cases, follow a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Less commonly, labyrinthitis can be caused by an infection that affects the rest of the body, such as measles, mumps and glandular fever. In rare cases, both labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis can be caused by a bacterial infection.

    Symptoms Of A Middle Ear Infection

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    In most cases, the symptoms of a middle ear infection develop quickly and resolve in a few days. This is known as acute otitis media. The main symptoms include:

    • a lack of energy
    • slight hearing loss – if the middle ear becomes filled with fluid

    In some cases, a hole may develop in the eardrum and pus may run out of the ear. The earache, which is caused by the build-up of fluid stretching the eardrum, then resolves.

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