Tuesday, March 26, 2024

How To Know What Type Of Ear Infection You Have

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There Are Several Types Of Ear Infections That Could Be Affecting Your Dog

Know if You Have Labyrinthitis

Otitis is a general term for inflammation or infection of the ear, and it can show up in your dog in several different ways.

Otitis externa is commonly diagnosed by redness or swelling on your dogs outer ear and the outer part of the ear canal. Essentially swimmers ear for dogs, this type of infection is often caused by water getting trapped in the ear canal. This moist environment is ripe for breeding bacteria, and can cause pain and swelling, as well as a spreading of the infection into the bones and cartilage around the ear if left untreated. If your dogs eardrum is not punctured and no pus or blood is present, the infection is most likely otitis externa, which is good news, because its the easiest type of ear infection to treat. Typical signs of an external ear infection include discharge from the ear, often brown or black in color, and a bad odor.

A similar, but less common type of infection is otitis media, which is inflammation of the dogs middle ear, which is located just behind the eardrum. Otitis interna , is perhaps the most severe of these basic inflammations, as it is an infection of the inner ear, which connects to the brain and contains nerves for balance and hearing.

A good way to figure out where the infection is coming from is to identify where the swellings concentrated and the state of the eardrum, whether its punctured or intact.

Common symptoms of any kind of otitis-related infection include

Otitis Media With Effusion

Otitis media with effusion , also known as serous or secretory otitis media , is an ear infection in which fluid is present in the middle ear and swelling develops in the inner ear. The fluid is generally not troublesome and goes away on its own in 4 to 6 weeks. In case, the fluid does not drain on its own within this time frame, the patient would need to be treated with antibiotics. This type of ear infection happens as a result of cold, sore throat or an upper respiratory infection. OEM tends to develop in kids aged between 6 months to 3 years. Boys are more prone to this type of ear infection than girls and this ear condition commonly occurs during the fall and winter months.

The Link To Hearing Loss

Middle ear infections can affect your child’s hearing. This can be unsettling, but it’s almost always temporary and doesn’t result in any permanent hearing loss. Still, any hearing loss should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Addressing hearing loss is important because infants and toddlers who suffer from chronic ear infections experience stretches of mild hearing loss during a crucial learning period for speech and language.

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Infections Inside The Ear

Antibiotics are not usually offered because infections inside the ear often clear up on their own and antibiotics make little difference to symptoms, including pain.

Antibiotics might be prescribed if:

  • an ear infection does not start to get better after 3 days
  • you or your child has any fluid coming out of the ear
  • you or your child has an illness that means there’s a risk of complications, such as cystic fibrosis

They may also be prescribed if your child is less than 2 years old and has an infection in both ears.

Types Of Parasites And What They Do

Common Types of Ear Infections in Children

Specifically though, here are just a few types of parasites and what they do:

  • Roundworms. This specific type of parasite can lay 200,000 eggs a day and grow up to 15 feet long. Estimates show that 1 billion people are infected with this one. Symptoms are upper abdominal discomfort, asthma, insomnia, appendicitis, peritonitis, fever, weight loss and rashes due to the secretions or waste products from the worms.

Large numbers of them can cause blockages in the intestinal tract, hemorrhages when penetrating the intestinal wall, abscesses in the liver, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, loss of appetite, and insufficient absorption of digested foods.

  • Hookworm. This parasite afflicts over 700 million people. Hookworm infection induces a complex mixture of host-protective and pathological immune responses. The larvae of hookworm penetrate the skin. When hookworms reach adulthood, they can sap the victims strength, vitality and overall well-being.

Young worms use their teeth to burrow through the intestinal wall and feed on your blood. Symptoms from hookworm are iron deficiency, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, protein deficiency, dry skin and hair, skin irritations, edema, distended abdomen, mental dullness, and eventually cardiac failure.

  • Tapeworms. These may grow to 35 feet long and live ten years inside a persons intestine. Some tapeworms can lay as many as one million eggs per day. Their bodies are in separate segments with hooks and suction cups on their skull.

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How To Know If You Have Earwax Buildup

Do you feel mild discomfort in your ear? There are some signs that can reveal if you have a buildup of earwax . It is advisable to clean your ears so you can look after your well-being and your hearing. Wax is a natural bodily mechanism that is created to keep your ear canals protected and to prevent any infection that may penetrate this area. However, when it is created in abundance, you can experience some discomfort which is easy to treat. In this OneHowTo article, we will explain how to know if you have earwax buildup by telling you some of this condition’s most obvious symptoms so you can help them to clean naturally.

In order to know if you have earwax buildup, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with the symptoms that may occur in relation to this condition. The most common symptoms include:

  • Hearing loss: Wax buildup can produce a sensation of a “plug” in the ear and consequently, a loss in hearing. This usually occurs suddenly and not gradually, i.e. from one day to the next, you get up feeling like you are “deaf” and are unable to hear clearly.
  • Hearing your own voice: It is also common for people with a plug of earwax to hear their own voice echoing when they speak.
  • Pain in the ear area: It is also possible that an accumulation of wax can produce some pain in the area which is usually mild but can become worse if not treated immediately. So if you feel any discomfort, see your doctor so they can remove the wax and restore your health.

What Are The Symptoms Of Inner Ear Infections In Adults

By Coastal Urgent Care Ruston

We heard your ear is bothering you. Are you wondering if its an inner ear infection?

Its important to recognize the signs of an ear infection so that you can seek treatment. Sometimes, they go away on their own, but if symptoms persist, it can lead to damage or hearing loss.

Keep reading to find out about the symptoms of inner ear infections in adults so you can stay happy and healthy.

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How Ear Infections Start

Ear infections often begin after a child has a cold, sore throat, or upper respiratory infection caused by common bacteria or viruses.

Behind your eardrum is a small sac called the middle ear. Connected to the middle ear is your eustachian tube, which drains fluid into the back of your throat. An infection can cause the eustachian tube to swell and block fluid from draining.

As the fluid builds up in the middle ear, viruses or bacteria can grow, causing an infection in the middle ear. Children have narrower eustachian tubes than adults, making them more prone to ear infections.

When To See A Doctor About An Earache

EAR INFECTION or Otis Media: When to Call the Doctor for that Earache (2019)

Dr. Nguyen-Huynh recommends seeing a doctor if:

  • Yoursymptoms remain after twoor three days, even if youve tried over-the-counter or home remedies.
  • Yourear is very painful, oryou have other symptoms that bother you.

Other common conditions, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction , can masquerade as earache infections. TMJ causes ear pain because the ear canal and the jaw joint share a nerve. If you have ear pain along with trouble chewing, talking or yawning, then you should see a dentist or TMJ expert to be sure youre treating the right condition, notes Dr. Nguyen-Huynh.

The good news? Hot and cold compresses and OTC pain relievers can also help relieve TMJ pain until you sort things out.

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When To See Your Doctor

Children younger than three months of age need to see a doctor at the first sign of ear infection.

Older children should be seen if they have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • A fever of 102.2 degrees or higher
  • Discharge leaking from their ear
  • The symptoms get worse or do not resolve within three days
  • Hearing loss

Ear infection in adults may signify a more serious problem and should be checked by a doctor. If the infection comes and goes, schedule an appointment with an otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in ear, nose, and throat conditions.

Treatment For A Middle Ear Infection

The doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to help you fight a middle ear infection. Depending on the type of antibiotics you receive, you can take them orally, or you can apply them directly on the site of the infection using ear drops. The doctor might also recommend pain medications, such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers, to help you manage the symptoms. They might also suggest nasal steroids, a decongestant, or an antihistamine to people suffering from a cold or allergy symptoms.

Additionally, a health professional can teach you autoinsufflation, a simple technique to help you clear your eustachian tubes. To perform an autoinsufflation, squeeze your nose, close your mouth, and exhale very gently. This sends air through the eustachian tubes, helping to drain them.

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How Long Will It Take My Child To Get Better

Your child should start feeling better within a few days after visiting the doctor. If its been several days and your child still seems sick, call your doctor. Your child might need a different antibiotic. Once the infection clears, fluid may still remain in the middle ear but usually disappears within three to six weeks.

Which Specialties Of Doctors Treat Middle Ear Infections

These Two Ingredients Can Eliminate Earwax and Ear ...
  • The majority of children and adults are diagnosed and treated by either pediatricians, primary health care doctors, emergency or urgent care medical providers, or other health care professionals.
  • Ear, nose, and throat specialists may be consulted for some individuals.
  • On rare occasions, a neurologist or neurosurgeon may be needed to treat a severe infection that may extend to other organ systems.

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How Are Ear Infections Treated

Treating a middle ear infection usually involves two steps: Treating the pain, and then, if symptoms dont improve, prescribing antibiotic medication to fight the infection. Doctors sometimes wait to prescribe antibiotics because an otherwise healthy child may be able to fight the infection on their own, helping a child avoid side effects and other risks of antibiotics.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends focusing on pain management for the first 1 to 2 days before prescribing antibiotics. Over-the-counter ibuprofen and acetaminophen are recommended for pain relief, and occasionally ear drops that contain pain medicine.

Doctors sometimes wait to prescribe antibiotics, because the infection may clear up on its own.

If a doctor prescribes antibiotics to treat a middle ear infection, it is usually amoxicillin. This oral antibiotic works to destroy the infection. Over time, inflammation will get better, and the Eustachian tubes can properly ventilate the middle ear.

Until the backed-up fluids have cleared, your child is prone to recurrent infections. It is important to take the entire course of prescribed antibioticseven though the symptoms may have subsided. Older children may report being able to hear better several days after they have resumed normal activities. This is a sign that the fluid build-up has resolved.

What Does An Infected Foot Look Like

Foot infections can have a wide range of causes, which means symptoms will typically vary. However, there are a few common symptoms you may be able to identify. Some combination of the experiences listed below will generally occur regardless of your foot infections cause.

  • Persistent pain or itching
  • Heat that radiates from a previous wound or abrasion
  • Swelling
  • Wounds that do not heal
  • Pus
  • Discoloration

If your foot is severely discolored and consistently oozing, your infection is serious. These are some of the most dangerous symptoms of an infection and require a doctor immediately. Though they can be quite varied in appearance, here is a picture of a typical foot infection.

While fungal infections are easily treated with over-the-counter medications , some will require medical or surgical treatment. If your infection causes swelling, heat, a foul smell, and makes walking difficult, you will need to see a doctor for antibiotic medication. However, if you have more serious symptoms, you should seek emergency medical treatment. This includes any of the following experiences.

If you have diabetes, you should visit the doctor as soon as you suspect a foot infection, as you are predisposed to developing a more serious condition. Remember that seeing a doctor at the first signs of a serious infection can drastically reduce the risk of complications.

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Ever Wondered If You Really Have Ibs Or Not

Properly diagnosing IBS can be difficult. It relies on a questionnaire along with ruling out other intestinal diseases, like colitis and Celiac disease.

Following is the questionnaire, called the Rome III questionnaire.

Rome III Questionnaire

Have you had recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least 3 days per month in the last 3 months associated with 2 or more of the following:

  • improvement with defecation
  • onset associated with a change in frequency of stool
  • onset associated with a change in appearance of stool
  • If your answer is yes, then you most likely have IBS and SIBO.

    SIBO also commonly causes:

    • fibromyalgia
    • chronic pain

    If any of this sounds like you, consider getting tested for SIBO. This may be the underlying cause for your fatigue!

    Testing for Hidden Infections: Urine Testing

    Infections can also be found with urine testing specifically an Organic Acids Test.

    This is how it works

    Harmful forms of yeast and bacteria excrete waste products of their own or metabolites into your body . Our body tries to clears out these metabolites through our kidneys so they end up in your urine.

    When specific metabolites are found in high quantities you can bet you have an underlying yeast infection or bacterial overgrowth.

    Treating Infections

    Most infections can be treated with herbal treatments over a 6 week period, but some do require prescription medications.

    Treating the infection is just the first step, though.

    Make a promise to yourself starting today:

    When To See A Doctor

    Ear Wax : Do we need it ? Does it have benefits?

    If an earache is the only symptom you are experiencing, you can wait a day or two before visiting a doctor. An ear infection may resolve on its own within a few days. However, it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible when the pain persists and you start developing a fever. You should also seek immediate medical attention if fluid is draining from your ear or you develop hearing problems.

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    Common Types Of Ear Infections

    Ear infections can affect the inner ear or outer ear and occur more commonly in children. Studies have shown that by their third birthday, three out of four children have had at least one ear infection. Unlike childhood ear infections which are often minor, adult ear infections generally signal towards a more serious health issue. Certain factors like age, cold and allergies, family history, birth defects, weak immunity, certain medical conditions and exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of ear infections. Also, bottle fed babies, infants who use a pacifier and children in child care centres are more likely to contract ear infections. Ear infections are of many types. Listed below are 5 common types of ear infections.

    What Causes An Ear Infection

    Ear infections are caused by bacteria and viruses. Many times, an ear infection begins after a cold or other respiratory infection. The bacteria or virus travel into the middle ear through the eustachian tube . This tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. The bacteria or virus can also cause the eustachian tube to swell. This swelling can cause the tube to become blocked, which keeps normally produced fluids to build up in the middle ear instead of being able to be drained away.

    Adding to the problem is that the eustachian tube is shorter and has less of a slope in children than in adults. This physical difference makes these tubes easier to become clogged and more difficult to drain. The trapped fluid can become infected by a virus or bacteria, causing pain.

    Medical terminology and related conditions

    Because your healthcare provider may use these terms, its important to have a basic understanding of them:

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    What Are The Symptoms Of Otitis Media

    Symptoms of ear infection include:

    • Ear pain: This symptom is obvious in older children and adults. In infants too young to speak, look for signs of pain like rubbing or tugging ears, crying more than usual, trouble sleeping, acting fussy/irritable.
    • Loss of appetite: This may be most noticeable in young children, especially during bottle feedings. Pressure in the middle ear changes as the child swallows, causing more pain and less desire to eat.
    • Irritability: Any kind of continuing pain may cause irritability.
    • Poor sleep: Pain may be worse when the child is lying down because the pressure in the ear may worsen.
    • Fever: Ear infections can cause temperatures from 100° F up to 104° F. Some 50% of children will have a fever with their ear infection.
    • Drainage from the ear: Yellow, brown, or white fluid that is not earwax may seep from the ear. This may mean that the eardrum has ruptured .
    • Trouble hearing: Bones of the middle ear connect to the nerves that send electrical signals to the brain. Fluid behind the eardrums slows down movement of these electrical signals through the inner ear bones.

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