Can Ear Infections Cause A Sore Throat

Can Acid Reflux Cause Sinus And Ear Problems

Chronic acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease can produce symptoms beyond the usual heartburn and sore throat. GERD manifests itself in different ways, with some patients experiencing less common but still normal signs of the condition.

Can acid reflux lead to ear and sinus complications? Yes, it can. Although the reason for this is still indefinite, acid reflux can lead to ear and sinus infections for some patients.

On the other hand, patients experiencing postnasal drip, sore throat, and a swollen larynx may have laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR, a similar stomach condition that is sometimes mistaken for GERD.

When A Sore Throat Is More Serious

Though this is rare, a persistent sore throat can be the first sign of oropharyngeal cancer .

In the past, most people believed that throat cancer only affected lifelong smokers and heavy drinkers.

Throat cancer wasnt considered something younger adults needed to worry about. Avoiding smoking and alcoholism were viewed as surefire ways to avoid throat cancer.

In the past several years, though, weve seen an uptick in younger adults diagnosed with throat cancers. Most of these cancers are due to the human papilloma virus , a common virus that is usually sexually transmitted.

If you have a persistent sore throat, its best to see an ENT doctor to rule out more serious causes, like oropharyngeal cancer.

Can A Toothache Cause Ear Pain

Just like with how a wisdom tooth infection can cause a sore throat, an abscessed molar can be felt in the corresponding ear leaving patients to think they have an ear infection.

Its always advisable to look for additional symptoms to determine whether you have a tooth infection. Refer to our list of symptoms below.

Recommended Reading: Why Does My Hearing Aid Beep

What Are The Symptoms Of A Middle

Common symptoms of a middle-ear infection in adults are:

• Pain in 1 or both ears

• Drainage from the ear

• Sore throat

You may also have a fever. Rarely, your balance can be affected.

These symptoms may be the same as for other conditions. Its important totalk with your health care provider if you think you have a middle-earinfection. If you have a high fever, severe pain behind your ear, orparalysis in your face, see your provider as soon as you can.

What Are The Treatments

Not all earaches are caused by an infection. It may be congestion from a sore throat or tooth pain, for example. It is important to see your doctor to determine the cause of the ear pain. If an ear infection is diagnosed, not all infections need antibiotic treatment. Many resolve on their own and antibiotics wont help if it is due to a virus.

Depending on your childs age and how bad the infection is, your doctor may wait a couple of days before starting on antibiotics to see if the infection clears up on its own. Many children feel better after a couple of days of fever and pain medication only.

If your doctor does prescribe an antibiotic, make sure to give it to your child for the full length of time prescribedeven if you see an improvement before then. Doing so will help make sure the infection is completely cleared up. When not taken as directed, the bacteria may have more of a chance to start growing again and become harder to treat. This could lead to antibiotic resistance, where the bacteria no longer respond to treatment.

Also Check: How To Pair Widex Hearing Aids To Iphone

Can Allergies Cause Ear Infections

Allergies can also lead to the development of ear infections. People who have seasonal or year long allergies are more likely to experience ear infections than those without.

Environmental allergies can irritate the eustachian tube, which runs from the middle ear to the throat. The eustachian tube helps balance pressure between the outer and inner ear.

An allergy can cause swelling around the eustachian tube, which can prevent fluid from draining away from the middle ear.

If this fluid collects behind the ear drum, it increases the risk of bacteria and viruses growing in the fluid. These bacteria and viruses can cause an ear infection in the middle ear.

Symptoms of a middle ear infection can appear suddenly and may include:

• swelling

Learn More About Mountain Ear Nose & Throat Associates

If youd like to learn more about Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates and what we can do for you, you can contact the team using the following numbers depending on your location:

• Sylva: 828-586-7474
• Murphy: 828-835-1014
• New Asheville: 828-458-8100

Dont hesitate to get in touch and book your appointment with Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates to come up with a solution for your situation today!

Recommended Reading: Signs That Say Merry Christmas

What Causes Sharp Throat And Ear Pain

Have questions? Use our contact form to get in touch with us today! Contact Us

Sharp throat and ear pain can be concerning for those experiencing it, and if you have it, you will want to figure out the cause so you can have peace of mind, as well as come up with an appropriate solution. A cold may be the cause, as this is the most common reason for this specific pain, but it can be due to other underlying things, too. Most of the time, a sore throat will pass in a few days. However, if it doesnt and you find your ears are also hurting, you may want to book an appointment with an ENT to get to the bottom of it.

Symptoms of sharp throat and ear pain may include:

• Mild to severe pain in the back of your throat
• A dry or scratchy feeling in your throat
• Pain when swallowing or talking
• Swollen glands in your neck or jaw
• Muffled hearing
• Feeling of fullness in the ear
• Fluid drainage from ear

You may also find that your symptoms are accompanied by a headache, fever or a general feeling of being unwell.

What Causes Ear Infections

Ear infections develop when bacteria or a virus, often from a cold or the flu, enters the ear canal. Theyre often a common part of childhood.

The germs settle in the middle ear, the area that connects the ear to the top of the throat, causing inflammation in the tissue. This inflammation can impact the eardrum, resulting in difficulty hearing and persistent pain.

Read Also: How To Connect Phonak Hearing Aids To Iphone

How Is A Middle

Your health care provider will take a medical history and do a physicalexam. He or she will look at the outer ear and eardrum with an otoscope.The otoscope is a lighted tool that lets your provider see inside the ear.A pneumatic otoscope blows a puff of air into the ear to check how wellyour eardrum moves. If you eardrum doesnt move well, it may mean you havefluid behind it.

Your provider may also do a test called tympanometry. This test tells howwell the middle ear is working. It can find any changes in pressure in themiddle ear. Your provider may test your hearing with a tuning fork.

Common Ear Nose And Throat Infections

When we talk about ear, nose and throat infections, we often do it in terms of the location of the problem rather than the specific viral or bacterial infection that is causing the problem. This is because infections in different areas tend to produce different symptoms. We can tell where the infection is based on these symptoms.

• Ear infections can be outer, middle or inner ear infections. Inner ear infections are less common as it is harder for viruses and bacteria to reach this part of the ear.
• Nasal infections often affect the nasal passages , but they can also affect connected areas like the sinuses .
• Throat infections can be named according to their location, for example tonsillitis in the tonsils or laryngitis in the larynx .

Sometimes the location of the infection is all we need to know in order to manage the symptoms. However, in some cases it may be possible to identify the specific infection that is responsible. Its particularly important to do this when the symptoms are severe, theres a chance that the infection could be bacterial, or other parts of your body are affected too.

Lots of different infections can affect your ears, nose, or throat:

Any part of the ears, nose and throat can be affected by many of the same viruses and bacteria. However, certain types of infection are more likely to happen in different areas and the symptoms can also be a little bit different, depending on exactly where the infection is located.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Sign Language For God

Insight Into Relief For A Sore Throat

• What causes a sore throat?
• What are my treatment options?
• How can I prevent a sore throat?
• and more

Infections from viruses or bacteria are the main cause of sore throats and can make it difficult to talk and breathe. Allergies and sinus infections can also contribute to a sore throat. If you have a sore throat that lasts for more than five to seven days, you should see your doctor. While increasing your liquid intake, gargling with warm salt water, or taking over-the-counter pain relievers may help, if appropriate, your doctor may write you a prescription for an antibiotic.

Sore Throat And Earache: 6 Causes And Treatments

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

The pain begins as a throbbing pulse before switching to an ache and then to a hurtful stabbing pain that radiates down your throat and in your inner ear.

A sore throat alone can be unbearable, but when you are also suffering from an earache, it can restrict daily activities.

What begins in one section can quickly travel to the other due, in part, to the Eustachian tube that connects the two.

There are several options to deal with your pain from an earache and sore throat, depending on the cause. You may be able to control and alleviate the pain yourself however, more severe conditions may require a trip to see your doctor.

• When to See a Doctor?

Don’t Miss: How To Sign Poop In Asl

What Causes Ear Nose And Throat Infections

Ear, nose and throat infections are very common. The symptoms are usually relatively mild, but infections can sometimes cause problems that need to be treated by an ENT specialist. What can cause an infection in your ears, nose or throat, and when should you visit an ENT clinic for advice?

When Should I See A Doctor

Whenever a sore throat is severe, persists longer than the usual five-to-seven day duration of a cold or flu, and is not associated with an avoidable allergy or irritation, you should seek medical attention. The following signs and symptoms should alert you to see your physician:

• Severe and prolonged sore throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Blood in saliva or phlegm
• Frequently recurring sore throat
• Hoarseness lasting over two weeks

Recommended Reading: Sign Language For Angel

Check If It’s An Ear Infection

The symptoms of an ear infection usually start quickly and include:

• discharge running out of the ear
• a feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear
• itching and irritation in and around the ear
• scaly skin in and around the ear

Young children and babies with an ear infection may also:

• rub or pull their ear
• not react to some sounds
• be irritable or restless
• be off their food
• keep losing their balance

Most ear infections clear up within 3 days, although sometimes symptoms can last up to a week.

What Is Strep Throat

Strep throat is an infection that results from the group A streptococcus bacteria. The condition is highly contagious, spread through contact with the bacteria, sneezing, or coughing.

You may notice white or red patches developing in the back of your childs throat. Other symptoms of strep throat include:

• Fever

Children may also experience pain in their neck from swollen glands.

Also Check: Phonak Compilot Bluetooth Pairing

When To See A Doctor

You may be able to relieve the pain of a sore throat or sharp ear pain with over-the-counter medications and home remedies but how do you know when you should see a doctor? The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest to seek medical help if the sore throat or earache persists for more than two days. Other conditions to be mindful of include:

• stiff neck
• pus in back of throat
• hoarseness
• contact with a strep throat patient

A sore throat and earache are two of the most common symptoms people experience in several disorders and health conditions. If treated early, the pain may be lessened or relieved at home with minimal exposure to Western medications. Several natural remedies have been proven successful for centuries to cure an aching ear and throat.

That said, there are some conditions you will have to seek medical advice for in order to prevent further complications. Be mindful of your symptoms and remember to take plenty of rest for any pain-causing condition.

Also Read:

What Are Nasal Polyps

Tonsils aid the body in recognizing germs inside the mouth. This collection of lymph nodes are located on each side of the back of the throat, acting as one of the bodys defense mechanisms. They become inflamed or infected when they collect abnormal germs, causing Tonsillitis.

The bacteria that usually causes Tonsillitis is sometimes due to Streptococcus A . Strep Throat is an infection of the tissues inside the throat by Streptococcus bacteria, usually causing pain, discomfort, fever, and difficulty swallowing.

Interestingly enough, one of the results of having a bacterial infection with the tonsils or throat can also lead to ear infections. Ear infections are caused by bacteria in the middle ear, creating swelling or congestion of the nasal passages, Eustachian tubes, or the throat where fluid is trapped.

How are these three ailments related?

Sinus cavities and passages are all connected and work together. For instance, the Eustachian tubes connect each middle ear to the back of the throat behind the nasal passages. The tubes connecting to the throat will open and close to refresh air in the ear, drain secretions, and regulate air pressure. In children, these tubes are much more narrow and horizontal, making them more difficult to drain and easier to get clogged.

Should my child have a Tonsillectomy?

• Frequent tonsil infections? .

• Recurring throat infections or Strep. .

• Tonsil enlargement

Recommended Reading: Im Hungry In Sign Language

Getting To The Root Of Ear Infections

When viruses and bacteria invade the middle ear, it can become infected and the result is serious pain and discomfort that shouldn’t be left untreated.

An ear infection, or otitis media, occurs when viruses or bacteria enter the middle ear and cause it to become infected. If youve had an ear infection, you know it can cause extreme discomfort. What you may not know is how important it is to get an ear infection diagnosed as early as possible if left untreated, it could lead to serious complications.

How does an ear infection develop? Your ear has three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Ear infections affect your middle ear, which is where your eustachian tubes connect the back of your nose to the ears. Eustachian tubes normally allow fluid to drain from your ears, but when these small tubes becomes blocked from something such as a cold or allergies, fluid can build up in the middle ear. A fluid-filled middle ear is susceptible to infection, because bacteria or viruses can grow in the fluid.

An ear infection often occurs after you have developed another illness, such as a cold or a sore throat the bacteria or viruses that caused your illness can also lead to an ear infection.

The Painful Symptoms of an Ear Infection

• Dizziness
• Sensation of ear blockage
• Fever

• Increased irritability
• Pulling at one or both ears
• Fever
• Leakage of fluid from the ear
• Balance problems

When Should I Contact My Gp

It’s not always necessary to see your GP if you or your child have earache. Your local pharmacist is always on hand to offer help and advice on how you can manage the problem. The pain will often improve in a few days and there are things you can do to help in the meantime.

You should contact your GP or local out-of-hours service if:

• you or your child also have other symptoms, such as a high temperature , vomiting, a severe sore throat, hearing loss, swelling around the ear, or discharge from the ear
• there is something stuck in your or your child’s ear
• the earache doesn’t improve within a few days

To assess your condition at home use our earache self-help guide.

Also Check: Zymox And Perforated Eardrum

Pharmacy First Scotland: Earache Treatment From Your Pharmacy

Earache isn’t usually serious and can be treated by a pharmacist. Your pharmacist may recommend that you contact your GP practice if required.

You should only contact your GP or local out-of-hours service if:

• you or your child also have other symptoms, such as a high temperature , vomiting, a severe sore throat, hearing loss, swelling around the ear, or discharge from the ear
• there is something stuck in your or your child’s ear
• the earache doesn’t improve within a few days