Otalgia (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==What are the symptoms of Otalgia?== | ==What are the symptoms of Otalgia?== | ||
The symptoms of an ear infection may include: | The symptoms of an [[ear infection]] may include: | ||
* Ear pain | * Ear pain | ||
* Fever | * [[Fever]] | ||
* Fussiness | * Fussiness | ||
* Increased crying | * Increased crying | ||
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==What causes Otalgia?== | ==What causes Otalgia?== | ||
The eustachian tube runs from the middle part of each ear to the back of the throat. This tube drains fluid that is normally made in the middle ear. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can build up. This may lead to pressure behind the eardrum or an ear infection. | The [[eustachian tube]] runs from the middle part of each ear to the back of the [[throat]]. This tube drains fluid that is normally made in the middle ear. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can build up. This may lead to pressure behind the [[eardrum]] or an ear infection. | ||
Ear pain in adults is less likely to be from an ear infection. What you think is ear pain may actually be coming from another location, such as your temporomandibular joint, your teeth, throat, or other location. This is called "referred" pain. | Ear pain in adults is less likely to be from an ear infection. What you think is ear pain may actually be coming from another location, such as your [[temporomandibular joint]], your teeth, throat, or other location. This is called "referred" pain. | ||
Causes of ear pain may include: | Causes of ear pain may include: | ||
* Arthritis of the jaw | * [[Arthritis]] of the [[jaw]] | ||
* Acute ear infection | * Acute ear infection | ||
* Chronic ear infection | * Chronic ear infection | ||
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* Object stuck in the ear or severely impacted ear wax | * Object stuck in the ear or severely impacted ear wax | ||
* Ruptured or perforated eardrum | * Ruptured or perforated eardrum | ||
* Sinus infection | * [[Sinus infection]] | ||
* Sore throat with referred pain to the ears | * Sore throat with referred pain to the ears | ||
* Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) | * [[Temporomandibular joint syndrome]] (TMJ) | ||
* Tooth infection | * [[Tooth infection]] | ||
Ear pain in a child or infant may be due to infection, or the following causes: | Ear pain in a child or infant may be due to infection, or the following causes: | ||
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* Your child has a high fever or severe pain or seems sicker than is usual for an ear infection | * Your child has a high fever or severe pain or seems sicker than is usual for an ear infection | ||
* New symptoms appear, especially: | * New symptoms appear, especially: | ||
* Dizziness | * [[Dizziness]] | ||
* Severe headache | * Severe [[headache]] | ||
* Swelling around the ear | * Swelling around the ear | ||
* Weakness of the face muscles | * Weakness of the face muscles | ||
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* If a child is uncomfortable lying down, resting in an upright position can help reduce pressure in the middle ear. | * If a child is uncomfortable lying down, resting in an upright position can help reduce pressure in the middle ear. | ||
* Over-the-counter ear drops are gentle and effective, as long as the eardrum has not ruptured. | * Over-the-counter ear drops are gentle and effective, as long as the eardrum has not ruptured. | ||
* Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can provide relief for children and adults with an earache. (Do NOT give aspirin to children.) | * Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as [[acetaminophen]] or [[ibuprofen]], can provide relief for children and adults with an earache. (Do NOT give [[aspirin]] to children.) | ||
You can relieve ear pain caused by rapidly descending from high altitudes by swallowing or chewing gum. Allowing infants to suck on a bottle while the plane is descending can help. | You can relieve ear pain caused by rapidly descending from high altitudes by swallowing or chewing gum. Allowing infants to suck on a bottle while the plane is descending can help. | ||
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The doctor will do a physical examination, and examine the ear, nose, and throat areas. | The doctor will do a physical examination, and examine the ear, nose, and throat areas. | ||
Pain, tenderness, or redness of the mastoid bone behind the ear on the skull is often a sign of a serious infection. | Pain, tenderness, or redness of the [[mastoid bone]] behind the ear on the [[skull]] is often a sign of a serious infection. | ||
==Prevention of Otalgia== | ==Prevention of Otalgia== | ||
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* Avoid smoking near children. Smoking has been shown to cause millions of ear infections each year in children. | * Avoid smoking near children. Smoking has been shown to cause millions of ear infections each year in children. | ||
* Prevent outer ear infections by not putting objects in the ear, and drying the ear after bathing or swimming. | * Prevent outer ear infections by not putting objects in the ear, and drying the ear after bathing or swimming. | ||
* Take steps to control allergies. In particular, avoid allergy triggers. Steroid nasal spray may help reduce ear infections. However, over-the-counter sedating | * Take steps to control allergies. In particular, avoid allergy triggers. Steroid nasal spray may help reduce ear infections. However, over-the-counter sedating [[antihistamine]]s and [[decongestant]]s do NOT prevent ear infections. | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
Revision as of 13:15, 4 January 2013
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Otalgia |
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Otalgia On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
An earache can be a sharp, dull, or burning pain in one or both ears. The pain may be temporary or constant.
What are the symptoms of Otalgia?
The symptoms of an ear infection may include:
- Ear pain
- Fever
- Fussiness
- Increased crying
- Irritability
Many children will have temporary and minor hearing loss during, and right after, an ear infection. Permanent hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases with the number of infections
What causes Otalgia?
The eustachian tube runs from the middle part of each ear to the back of the throat. This tube drains fluid that is normally made in the middle ear. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can build up. This may lead to pressure behind the eardrum or an ear infection.
Ear pain in adults is less likely to be from an ear infection. What you think is ear pain may actually be coming from another location, such as your temporomandibular joint, your teeth, throat, or other location. This is called "referred" pain.
Causes of ear pain may include:
- Arthritis of the jaw
- Acute ear infection
- Chronic ear infection
- Ear injury from pressure changes (from high altitudes and other causes)
- Object stuck in the ear or severely impacted ear wax
- Ruptured or perforated eardrum
- Sinus infection
- Sore throat with referred pain to the ears
- Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)
- Tooth infection
Ear pain in a child or infant may be due to infection, or the following causes:
- Ear canal irritation from cotton-tipped swabs
- Soap or shampoo staying in the ear
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your doctor if:
- Your child has a high fever or severe pain or seems sicker than is usual for an ear infection
- New symptoms appear, especially:
- Dizziness
- Severe headache
- Swelling around the ear
- Weakness of the face muscles
Severe pain suddenly stops; this may be a sign of a ruptured eardrum Symptoms (pain, fever, or irritability) get worse or do not improve within 24 - 48 hours
Treatment options
The following steps may help an earache:
- A cold pack or cold wet wash cloth applied to the outer ear for 20 minutes may reduce pain.
- For children old enough to safely chew gum, chewing may help relieve the pain and pressure of an ear infection.
- If a child is uncomfortable lying down, resting in an upright position can help reduce pressure in the middle ear.
- Over-the-counter ear drops are gentle and effective, as long as the eardrum has not ruptured.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can provide relief for children and adults with an earache. (Do NOT give aspirin to children.)
You can relieve ear pain caused by rapidly descending from high altitudes by swallowing or chewing gum. Allowing infants to suck on a bottle while the plane is descending can help.
Where to find medical care for Otalgia?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Otalgia
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The doctor will do a physical examination, and examine the ear, nose, and throat areas.
Pain, tenderness, or redness of the mastoid bone behind the ear on the skull is often a sign of a serious infection.
Prevention of Otalgia
The following steps can help prevent earaches:
- Avoid smoking near children. Smoking has been shown to cause millions of ear infections each year in children.
- Prevent outer ear infections by not putting objects in the ear, and drying the ear after bathing or swimming.
- Take steps to control allergies. In particular, avoid allergy triggers. Steroid nasal spray may help reduce ear infections. However, over-the-counter sedating antihistamines and decongestants do NOT prevent ear infections.