What Are The Symptoms Of An Inner Ear Infection

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Bacteria, fungi and ear mites are common causes of ear inflammation in dogs.

Allergies, seborrhea, an underactive thyroid gland, trauma, foreign objects and tumors also cause ear inflammation.

Throat infections may also cause middle ear inflammations.

However, itâs been suggested that eating foods that contain carbs could possibly increase the risk of dogs getting yeast infections. Yeast needs carbs for growth, but does that mean eating a diet that contains a lot of carbs increases the risk of yeast infections? The short answer not likely.

Poultry can include meats like chicken, one of the most common food allergens for dogs, as well as options like duck which has lower incidences of allergic reactions.

Food allergies can cause distressing skin conditions in canines as well as chronic disorders such as indigestion, ear infections, and breathing troubles.

Earaches And Ear Infections

Earaches and ear infections can have a variety of causesviral, bacterial and fungaland can affect different parts of the ear. Common infections include inner ear, middle ear and outer ear infections .

Ear infections also can be caused by scratching the ear canal when cleaning their ear, especially if a cotton-tipped applicator or dangerously sharp small object, such as a hair clip, is used. In other cases, a middle ear infection can cause an external infection to develop through the draining of pus into the ear canal through a hole in the eardrum.

Inner Ear

Infections of the inner ear usually result from viral illnesses, such as influenza, and can cause vertigo , dizziness, nausea, imbalance, difficulty concentrating, tinnitus , reduced hearing and other symptoms. These symptoms also may be caused by head injuries, drug reactions, allergies, underlying medical disorders or aging. If you have these symptoms, you should see a physician evaluation to make the diagnosis and to begin appropriate treatment.

If the symptoms are caused by a virus, the infection usually improves on its own. However, a doctor may recommend taking prescription or over-the-counter anti-nausea medications or receiving an injection to control the symptoms. Recurrent symptoms may indicate Menieres disease, a disorder in which fluid builds up in the inner ear and causes vertigo and balance problems.

Middle Ear

Symptoms of middle ear infections include:

Swimmers Ear

Symptoms of swimmers ear include:

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.

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Prevention Of Middle Ear Infection

Many children who get recurrent ear infections have grommets put into their eardrums to prevent infection. Grommets are special ventilating tubes that stop fluid from building up behind the eardrum and help preserve hearing. If your child needs grommets, hell see an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Avoid smoking. Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to develop a range of illnesses, including middle ear infections.

How Middle Ear Infections Are Treated

Most ear infections clear up within three to five days and donât 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 arenât routinely used to treat middle ear infections, although they may occasionally be prescribed if symptoms persist or are particularly severe.

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What Should I Expect If I Or My Child Has An Ear Infection

Ear infections are common in children. Adults can get them too. Most ear infections are not serious. Your healthcare provider will recommend over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and fever. Pain relief may begin as soon as a few hours after taking the drug.

Your healthcare provider may wait a few days before prescribing an antibiotic. Many infections go away on their own without the need for antibiotics. If you or your child receives an antibiotic, you should start to see improvement within two to three days.

If you or your child has ongoing or frequent infections, or if fluid remains in the middle ear and puts hearing at risk, ear tubes may be surgically implanted in the eardrum to keep fluid draining from the eustachian tube as it normally should.

Never hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions.

What Causes Inner Ear Infections

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.

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How Is An Ear Infection Diagnosed

• Ear infections are diagnosed with a patient history and physical examination of the ear with an otoscope, an instrument that is a light with a cone at the tip to visualize inside the ear canal, to check for inflammation in the ear canal.
• Tympanometry may also be performed to check for changes in pressure in the middle ear.

Ginger For Nausea And Vertigo

Some studies suggest that ginger tea can be an effective treatment for vertigo. Other studies indicate that ginger is an effective treatment for nausea.

However, it is worth noting that researchers conducted these studies in participants experiencing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo , a different type of vertigo than that which occurs with labyrinthitis. That said, they share some symptoms, including nausea.

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What Causes An Ear Infection

Ear infections in the outer canal are caused by:

• Bacterial or fungal overgrowth in the ear canal caused by moisture mixing with the earwax and debris in the ear canal
• Moisture can enter the ear from swimming, diving, or even bathing and showering
• Overuse of cotton swabs in the ear canal

Ear infections in the middle ear are caused by:

• Bacteria
• Common bacterial causes of middle ear infections are Streptococcus pneumoniae , Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis

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.

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What Is Middle Ear Infection

The ear is made up of three different sections: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. These parts all work together so you can hear and process sounds. The outer and middle ear are separated by the eardrum a very thin piece of skin that vibrates when hit by sound waves.

This page deals with middle ear infection , which is the infection / inflammation of the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. This space can become blocked and filled with mucus , which can become infected, causing inflammation.

There are two types of middle ear infection:

• An acute infection that starts suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and
• A chronic ear infection that does not get better or keeps coming back. Chronic ear infection can result in long-term damage to the ear.

Sometimes gel-like fluid will remain in the middle ear after an ear infection, causing “glue ear“, a relatively common condition that is often undetected among New Zealand pre-schoolers. Glue ear can adversely affect hearing and may take several weeks to resolve.

Outer ear infection is characteristically different to middle ear infection. This is a skin infection in the outer ear canal, which may start as an itch and develop into infection causing inflammation. Sometimes referred to as swimmers ear, this kind of infection can normally be treated effectively with ear drops from your doctor or pharmacist.

How Are Inner Ear Problems Diagnosed And Treated

If youre having symptoms that could be linked to an inner ear infection or balance disorder, then it is a good idea to see a doctor. Mild ear infections will usually clear up by themselves, but if the symptoms are severe or arent getting better after a few days, then its worth seeing a doctor. You may need antibiotics if the infection is bacterial.

You should also see a doctor if you have symptoms of a balance disorder. Balance problems can have a significant impact on your daily life and they could affect your ability to work, drive or perform everyday tasks. An ENT specialist can perform tests to check your balance and diagnose inner ear problems such as Menieres disease. The doctor will also be able to check for more serious issues, such as tumours that could be affecting your sense of balance. You might need to have vestibular tests to check your sense of balance, scans of your inner ears, or other investigations. You can then get treatment to help manage your symptoms.

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Why Do Children Get Ear Infections

Infants and young children between 3 months and 3 years old are much more likely to get ear infections than adults. In fact, most children will have at least one ear infection. The main reasons are:

• Differences in Eustachian tubes. These tubes in your ears are shorter and narrower when youre younger, so its easier for them to become blocked. Additionally, the tubes in infants and young children are usually more horizonal than those in adults which means that its harder for fluid to drain.
• Their developing immune system. When infants are about 6 months old, they start losing some of the immunity they were born with. At the same time, babies start becoming more social, sharing both toys and germs. Breastfeeding is one effective way to help strengthen your childs immune system.

What Are Other Causes Of Ear Pain

Other causes of ear pain include:

• A sore throat.
• Teeth coming in in a baby.
• An infection of the lining of the ear canal. This is also called swimmers ear.
• Pressure build up in the middle ear caused by allergies and colds.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/16/2020.

References

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What Are Symptoms Of An Inner Ear Infection

There are two types of inner infections:

• Vestibular neuritis is an infection of the vestibule and semicircular canals.

• Labyrinthitis is an infection of the entire inner ear, including the cochlea.

Unlike middle and outer ear infections, pain is not a symptom of inner ear infections. Vestibular neuritis leads to dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and inability to balance. This is called vertigo and can often make you feel as if the room is spinning. Vertigo is often worse when you move your head, stand up, or try to walk. Getting out of bed and walking to the bathroom might feel impossible.

Labrynthitis can lead to vertigo, just like vestibular neuritis. But because it also affects the cochlea, it can lead to hearing changes as well. This can be a ringing in the ears or temporarily decreased hearing. Sometimes the hearing loss is subtle, and you might not realize your hearing is different.

Signs Of Labyrinthitis And Vestibular Neuritis

Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear, or the labyrinth. The condition is typically caused by a virus, and is commonly experienced at the same time as or following viral illnesses, such as a viral sore throat, cold or flu. Vestibular neuritis, another type of inner ear infection, is an infection of the vestibular nerve in the inner ear.

Signs and symptoms of both labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis may include:

• Vertigo
• Nausea

Labyrinthitis may also cause some mild hearing loss, as well as some of the signs and symptoms common to other types of ear infection. These include:

• Earache
• Ringing in the ear
• Discharge from the ear
• Blurred or double vision

The above symptoms may also be experienced in cases of vestibular neuritis, though they are generally a lot more common with labyrinthitis, especially hearing loss and tinnitus.

If you are concerned that you may have an inner ear infection, try using the Ada app to find out what the problem may be.

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Check If You Have Labyrinthitis

The most common symptoms of labyrinthitis are:

• dizziness or feeling that everything around you is spinning
• feeling unsteady and off balance you might find it difficult to stay upright or walk in a straight line
• feeling or being sick
• hearing loss
• ringing in your ears

Symptoms can start suddenly. They may be there when you wake up and get worse as the day goes on.

The symptoms often ease after a few days.

You’ll usually get your balance back over 2 to 6 weeks, although it can take longer.

Who Is Most Likely To Get An Ear Infection

Middle ear infection is the most common childhood illness . Ear infections occur most often in children who are between age 3 months and 3 years, and are common until age 8. Some 25% of all children will have repeated ear infections.

Adults can get ear infections too, but they dont happen nearly as often as they do in children.

Risk factors for ear infections include:

• Age: Infants and young children are at greater risk for ear infections.
• Family history: The tendency to get ear infections can run in the family.
• Colds: Having colds often increases the chances of getting an ear infection.
• Allergies: Allergies cause inflammation of the nasal passages and upper respiratory tract, which can enlarge the adenoids. Enlarged adenoids can block the eustachian tube, preventing ear fluids from draining. This leads to fluid buildup in the middle ear, causing pressure, pain and possible infection.
• Chronic illnesses: People with chronic illnesses are more likely to develop ear infections, especially patients with immune deficiency and chronic respiratory disease, such as cystic fibrosis and asthma.
• Ethnicity: Native Americans and Hispanic children have more ear infections than other ethnic groups.

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Ear Infection Treatment: Ear Tubes

Tympanostomy tubes are small tubes that are sometimes inserted in the eardrums of children who have frequent ear infections. This image shows an ear tube positioned in the eardrum. The tubes allow ventilation and drainage of fluid so that fluid cannot buildup in the middle ear. This can lessen the chance of infection and reduce the pain that may be associated with pressure. After surgery, children usually recover within 1 to 2 hours. Ear tubes usually fall out on their own after 6 to 12 months, or a doctor can surgically remove them.

Understanding The Symptoms And Treatments Of Ear Diseases

Our team of experts at Houston Sinus & Allergy provides several popular treatment methods for common ear diseases. Beyond prescribing antibiotics, we may recommend methods such as:

• Ear tubes. Often used to treat chronic ear infections, tubes placed in the eardrum help streamline the flow of air to the middle ear. This treatment can help to equalize pressure, reduce fluid buildup and improve hearing. Depending on the specifics of your condition, ear tubes can be placed temporarily or on a long-term basis.
• Ear cleaning. A buildup of ear wax, debris and water can cause uncomfortable ear diseases and infections. A thorough professional ear cleaning treatment will clear out unwanted particles, helping to resolve symptoms such as ringing noises, hearing difficulty and ear pressure.
• Otowick placement. Our specialists regularly treat swollen ear canals by administering antibiotic drops through a sponge. This deep ear treatment can help heal infections and reduce swelling quickly.

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