Ear Infection: Causes, Symptoms & Prevention Guide

Ear infections is a kind of infection which infects behind the space of your eardrum. Well, this infection gets cleared up on its own but some time you need to consult your healthcare for proper care.

Ear infections is an infection or bacteria which happen in the center of your ear that has air-filled space at the back of your eardrum. This infection is also known as Acute Otitis Media and it is very common in children as compare to adults. The Ear Infections which often gets clear up on its own in short period of time but it is important to go for the treatment if you want to manage pain and solve all the issues. Your healthcare professionals might help in solving all kind of Ear Infections but some people might face ear infections again and again which can causes hearing problem and other complications. All kinds of Ear Infections will be treated easily and your ears condition will get better.

Information About Ear Infection

Ear Infections is a certain type of sudden infection which happens in your middle ear where there is air-filled space difference between your inner ear and eardrum. We can hear things easily as our bones transmit sound vibrations from eardrum to your inner ear. Our Eustachian tubes are the canals which connected your middle ear to throat that regulates the pressure of air in your ear and helps in preventing fluid from getting accumulated in your middle ear space. If these tubes do not work properly, the fluid will have a hard time from getting out through your middle ear space. The ear infections also causes middle ear fluid which makes difficulties in hearing and don’t let you hear properly.

Is it common that children face Ear Infection and what is the reason behind it?

As per our study, it is quite possible that small children will get ear infections easily. The babies of 6 months to 2 years can face ear infections quite fast. The older people and the adults also face ears infection but they are not quite common as in the young children.

Let’s learn about some reasons why children face ears infection.

The Eustachian tubes of children don’t work properly
The infection fighting system in babies body and their immune system are developing
They can catch illness from other children easily

What are Ear Infection Symptoms?

There are many symptoms through which you can understand that you are dealing with ear infection but they are different in children and adults and some of the symptoms are mentioned below:-

Ear Infection Symptoms in Children

The children might feel these symptoms while having ear infection:-

Pain in Ear
Problem in sleeping
Fever ranging 100.5 to 104 degrees
Headache
Become fussy and cry more
Unable to eat properly
Trouble in hearing

Ear Infection Symptoms in Adults

The adults might feel these symptoms while having ear infection:-

Uncomfortable due to the pain and pressure in the ear
White or yellow color discharge from your ear
You will feel trouble in sleeping
Trouble in hearing things
Don’t want to eat food properly

Let’s Learn Ear Infection Causes

It is very important that you will understand the main causes of having ear infection so that you will be aware for the further time period. Mainly the Ear Infection happens due to the bacteria or the viruses which happens from other illness that is cold, cough, allergy or some kind of flu. The bacteria will travel slowly and reach at its place. Firstly, it happens in your nose then it reached to your throat and ears which leads to the infection in the middle ear. There are many people who always think that ear infection are contagious but to be honest ear infection are not at all contagious and you don’t have to worry about it as it can be happen to anyone.

Risk Factors and Complications

There are many risk factors and complications involved when you are facing ear infections and they are:-

Some of the Risk Factors involved are:-

The babies between 6 months to 2 years and quite small and often deal with ear infection.
The babies who drink milk from bottles as compare to babies who do breastfeed.
There are chances that you will feel infections in winter season
The quality of air is very poor due to pollution and smoking which increase the risk of infection

Some of the Complications are:-

There are chances that you will face hearing problem but it will clears out when the infection gets over
The toddlers might face problem in development of speaking due to hear loss
If you don’t take proper treatment for clearing out ears infection than the infection will get spread in the bones and in the tissues which can cause cysts.

Ear Infection Prevention

Let us learn some of the prevention through which the chances of having Ear Infection will get reduces automatically. It will surely help you and your children to stay safe without facing any ear infection or ear problem. Some of the preventions are:-

Breastfeeding your Baby:- Breast milk contains Antibodies which helps in fighting against all kind of bacteria and viruses so it is important that must breast feed your child for atleast 6 months to 2 years.
Avoid Smoking and secondhand Smoking:- You should not allowed anybody to smoke around your child and you should also never smoke for the betterment of yourself and your kids health.
Prevents cold and other respiratory problems:- Teach your child about good habits through which you can avoid cold and other respiratory problems so that they will not face ear infection.
Holding baby in upright position while feeding:- You should never make your baby laying down on the bed or crib while feeding your child with bottle or while breastfeeding.
Getting Vaccinated:- You must consult your healthcare professionals regarding the vaccinations which are important for your child so that they will not face Ear infection.

By following these preventions you can simply get over Ear Infection and live happily without facing any problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can we heal Ear Infections?

Ans. We can heal ear infection with the help of Antibiotics which are prescribed by doctors.

What are the common bacteria which causes middle Ear Infections?

Ans. There are two common bacteria:- Haemophilus Influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Can you sleep comfortable while having Ear Infections?

Ans. Yes, you can sleep comfortably while having Ear Infections by elevating your head with the help of extra pillow.

How much time Ear Infections took for clearing out?

Ans. Most of the time Ear Infections will get clear within 3 days and sometime it takes 7 days to clear out.

Is it possible that Ear Infections causes you cough?

Ans. Yes, it is possible that Ear Infections causes you cough but this symptom is not very common.

Disclaimer & Copyright

The content on AmericanPainSociety.org is provided for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We make no guarantees of accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Users rely on the information at their own risk. Always consult qualified professionals for healthcare decisions.