What causes an earache during a cold? How can you treat it with home remedies and medications? Get the answers to your questions about managing earaches caused by colds or ear infections.

Understanding the Connection Between Colds and Earaches

When you have a cold, it’s common to experience ear pain or discomfort. This can happen due to a few different reasons related to the cold itself. Congestion is one of the main culprits, as the mucus and fluid buildup in the eustachian tube (which connects the middle ear to the throat) can cause a blocked or “plugged” feeling in the ear. Additionally, the cold virus can sometimes lead to a secondary middle ear infection, known as otitis media, which can cause significant ear pain, swelling, and difficulty hearing.

Another potential cause of ear pain during a cold is a sinus infection, or sinusitis. As the cold progresses, it can cause inflammation in the sinuses, leading to a feeling of pressure or pain in the ears.

Relieving Ear Pain with Home Remedies

Fortunately, there are several home remedies you can try to alleviate ear pain associated with a cold:

• Hot or cold compresses: Applying a warm or cool compress to the affected ear can help reduce swelling and pain.
• Sleeping position: Try sleeping on the unaffected side to reduce pressure on the painful ear.
• Nasal rinses: If your earache is due to a sinus infection, a nasal rinse can help drain and clear your sinuses.
• Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids can help loosen mucus and speed up recovery.
• Rest: Taking it easy and getting plenty of rest can support your body’s ability to fight off the cold and any secondary infections.

Over-the-Counter Treatments for Ear Pain

In addition to home remedies, there are several over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can help relieve ear pain caused by a cold:

• Pain relievers: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain and fever.
• Decongestants: OTC decongestants can help decrease swelling in the nose and ears, though they don’t treat the underlying infection.
• Ear drops: Some OTC ear drops are designed to provide direct relief for ear pain. However, these should not be used if the eardrum has ruptured.

When to See a Doctor for Ear Pain

Most cases of ear pain associated with a cold will improve on their own with time and the use of home remedies or OTC medications. However, there are some situations where you should seek medical attention:

• If the pain is severe or persistent, despite using home treatments
• If you develop a fever, green or yellow nasal discharge, or difficulty hearing
• If the eardrum appears red, swollen, or has ruptured
• If the earache is accompanied by signs of a sinus infection, such as facial pain or pressure

In these cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or other treatments to address any underlying bacterial infections.

Avoiding Medication Interactions

It’s important to be cautious when taking OTC cold medications in combination with pain relievers. Many cold medicines contain acetaminophen or other ingredients that can interact with pain relievers, potentially causing more harm than good. Always read the labels carefully and follow the dosage instructions, especially when giving medications to children.

Preventing Future Earaches

While you can’t always prevent an earache during a cold, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk:

• Manage nasal congestion promptly to prevent fluid buildup in the eustachian tube
• Avoid sudden changes in air pressure, such as during air travel
• Practice good hand hygiene to prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses
• Get vaccinated against the flu and other respiratory illnesses that can lead to ear infections

By understanding the connection between colds and earaches, and using a combination of home remedies and OTC treatments, you can effectively manage ear pain and discomfort during a cold. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to seek medical attention to rule out any underlying infections or complications.

Treating with Medication and Home Remedies

The common cold may cause ear pain due to congestion or a complication of the infection. Over-the-counter and medical treatments may help relieve ear pain.

The common cold occurs when a virus infects your nose and throat. It can cause various symptoms, including a runny nose, cough, and congestion. You might also have mild body aches or a headache.

Sometimes a cold can also cause pain in or around the ear. This usually feels like dull ache.

The earache may happen during or after a cold. In either case, it’s possible to relieve the pain and feel better.

Read on to learn why ear pain occurs during a cold, which remedies to try, and when to see a doctor.

When you have a cold, an earache might be caused by one of the following reasons.

Congestion

The eustachian tube connects your middle ear to your upper throat and back of your nose. Normally, it stops excessive air pressure and fluid from accumulating in your ear.

However, if you have a cold, mucus and fluid from your nose can build up in your eustachian tube. This may block the tube, causing ear pain and discomfort. Your ear may also feel “plugged” or full.

Typically, the ear congestion will get better as your cold goes away. But sometimes, it can lead to secondary infections.

Middle ear infection

A middle ear infection, called infectious otitis media, is a common complication of the cold. It occurs when viruses in your nose and throat enter your ear through the eustachian tube.

The viruses cause fluid buildup in the middle ear. Bacteria can grow in this fluid, causing a middle ear infection.

This can lead to ear pain, along with:

• swelling
• redness
• difficulty hearing
• green or yellow nasal discharge
• fever

Sinus infection

An unresolved cold can lead to a sinus infection, also called infectious sinusitis. It causes inflammation in your sinuses, which include the areas in your nose and forehead.

If you have sinusitis, you may experience ear pressure. This can make your ear hurt.

Other possible symptoms include:

• yellow or green postnasal drainage
• congestion
• difficulty breathing through your nose
• facial pain or pressure
• headache
• toothache
• cough
• bad breath
• poor sense of smell
• fatigue
• fever

Most causes of cold-induced ear pain get better on their own. But you can use home remedies to manage the pain.

Hot or cold compress

To ease pain or swelling, place a heat or ice pack on your affected ear.

Always wrap the pack in a clean towel. This will protect your skin from the heat or ice.

Sleep position

If only one ear is affected, sleep on the side with the unaffected ear. For example, if your right ear is painful, sleep on your left side. This will decrease pressure on your right ear.

You can also try sleeping with your head on two or more pillows, which is thought to reduce pressure. This can strain your neck, though, so use caution.

Nasal rinse

If your earache is due to a sinus infection, try a nasal rinse. This will help to drain and clear your sinuses.

Hydration

Drink lots of fluids, regardless of what’s causing your earache. Staying hydrated will loosen mucus and speed up recovery.

Rest

Take it easy. Resting will support your body’s ability to fight off a cold or secondary infection.

Along with home remedies, a doctor may suggest these treatments for ear pain.

Over-the-counter pain relievers

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help reduce your pain and fever.

For an earache, it’s recommended that you take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. For treating an earache in children younger than 6 months, check with your doctor about medication type and dosage.

Always follow the package’s directions. Ask a doctor about the appropriate dose.

Decongestants

OTC decongestants may help decrease swelling in the nose and ears. Decongestants can improve how you feel, but they won’t treat the cause of an ear or sinus infection.

Decongestants are available in several forms, including:

• nose drops
• nasal sprays
• oral capsules or liquid

Again, follow the package’s instructions. This is especially important if you’re giving decongestants to a child.

Ear drops

You can also use OTC ear drops, which are designed to relieve pain in the ear. Read the directions carefully.

If your eardrum has burst, ear drops may cause problems. Talk to a doctor first.

Antibiotics

Normally, antibiotics aren’t necessary to treat ear infections or sinusitis. But if you have chronic or severe symptoms, and there’s concern that it’s a bacterial infection, a doctor may prescribe them.

When you have a cold, taking common cold medications can help manage your symptoms. However, they might not necessarily make your earache go away.

Additionally, taking cold medicines with OTC pain relievers can do more harm than good. That’s because they often share some of the same ingredients.

For example, Nyquil contains acetaminophen, which is the active ingredient in Tylenol. If you take both Nyquil and Tylenol, you could consume too much acetaminophen. This is unsafe for your liver.

Similarly, prescription drugs can interact with OTC medicines. If you’re taking any kind of prescription medication, talk to a doctor before taking OTC cold medicines or pain relievers.

It’s also important to be mindful of:

• Cold medications for young children. If your child is younger than 4 years old, don’t give them these medications unless their doctor says so.
• Aspirin. Avoid giving aspirin to children and teenagers. Aspirin is considered unsafe for this age group due to the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.
• Oils. Some people claim garlic, tea tree, or olive oil can help to clear an ear infection. But there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support these remedies, so use caution.
• Cotton swabs. Avoid putting cotton swabs or other objects inside your ear.

Cold-induced ear pain often resolves on its own.

But if you notice any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:

• symptoms that persist for a few days
• worsening symptoms
• severe ear pain
• fever
• hearing loss
• change in hearing
• earache in both ears

These symptoms may indicate a more serious condition.

Your doctor will use several methods to determine what’s causing your earache. These may include:

• Medical history. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and history of ear pain.
• Physical examination. They will also look inside your ear with a tool called an otoscope. They’ll check for swelling, redness, and pus here, and they’ll also look inside your nose and throat.

If you have chronic ear pain, your doctor may have you see an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

It’s typical to have ear pain during or after a cold. Most cases aren’t serious and usually go away on their own. Rest, OTC pain relievers, and home remedies like ice packs can help you feel better.

Avoid taking common cold medications and pain relievers at the same time, as they can interact and cause problems.

If your ear pain is very severe, or if it lasts for a long time, see a doctor.

Treating with Medication and Home Remedies

The common cold may cause ear pain due to congestion or a complication of the infection. Over-the-counter and medical treatments may help relieve ear pain.

The common cold occurs when a virus infects your nose and throat. It can cause various symptoms, including a runny nose, cough, and congestion. You might also have mild body aches or a headache.

Sometimes a cold can also cause pain in or around the ear. This usually feels like dull ache.

The earache may happen during or after a cold. In either case, it’s possible to relieve the pain and feel better.

Read on to learn why ear pain occurs during a cold, which remedies to try, and when to see a doctor.

When you have a cold, an earache might be caused by one of the following reasons.

Congestion

The eustachian tube connects your middle ear to your upper throat and back of your nose. Normally, it stops excessive air pressure and fluid from accumulating in your ear.

However, if you have a cold, mucus and fluid from your nose can build up in your eustachian tube. This may block the tube, causing ear pain and discomfort. Your ear may also feel “plugged” or full.

Typically, the ear congestion will get better as your cold goes away. But sometimes, it can lead to secondary infections.

Middle ear infection

A middle ear infection, called infectious otitis media, is a common complication of the cold. It occurs when viruses in your nose and throat enter your ear through the eustachian tube.

The viruses cause fluid buildup in the middle ear. Bacteria can grow in this fluid, causing a middle ear infection.

This can lead to ear pain, along with:

• swelling
• redness
• difficulty hearing
• green or yellow nasal discharge
• fever

Sinus infection

An unresolved cold can lead to a sinus infection, also called infectious sinusitis. It causes inflammation in your sinuses, which include the areas in your nose and forehead.

If you have sinusitis, you may experience ear pressure. This can make your ear hurt.

Other possible symptoms include:

• yellow or green postnasal drainage
• congestion
• difficulty breathing through your nose
• facial pain or pressure
• headache
• toothache
• cough
• bad breath
• poor sense of smell
• fatigue
• fever

Most causes of cold-induced ear pain get better on their own. But you can use home remedies to manage the pain.

Hot or cold compress

To ease pain or swelling, place a heat or ice pack on your affected ear.

Always wrap the pack in a clean towel. This will protect your skin from the heat or ice.

Sleep position

If only one ear is affected, sleep on the side with the unaffected ear. For example, if your right ear is painful, sleep on your left side. This will decrease pressure on your right ear.

You can also try sleeping with your head on two or more pillows, which is thought to reduce pressure. This can strain your neck, though, so use caution.

Nasal rinse

If your earache is due to a sinus infection, try a nasal rinse. This will help to drain and clear your sinuses.

Hydration

Drink lots of fluids, regardless of what’s causing your earache. Staying hydrated will loosen mucus and speed up recovery.

Rest

Take it easy. Resting will support your body’s ability to fight off a cold or secondary infection.

Along with home remedies, a doctor may suggest these treatments for ear pain.

Over-the-counter pain relievers

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help reduce your pain and fever.

For an earache, it’s recommended that you take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. For treating an earache in children younger than 6 months, check with your doctor about medication type and dosage.

Always follow the package’s directions. Ask a doctor about the appropriate dose.

Decongestants

OTC decongestants may help decrease swelling in the nose and ears. Decongestants can improve how you feel, but they won’t treat the cause of an ear or sinus infection.

Decongestants are available in several forms, including:

• nose drops
• nasal sprays
• oral capsules or liquid

Again, follow the package’s instructions. This is especially important if you’re giving decongestants to a child.

Ear drops

You can also use OTC ear drops, which are designed to relieve pain in the ear. Read the directions carefully.

If your eardrum has burst, ear drops may cause problems. Talk to a doctor first.

Antibiotics

Normally, antibiotics aren’t necessary to treat ear infections or sinusitis. But if you have chronic or severe symptoms, and there’s concern that it’s a bacterial infection, a doctor may prescribe them.

When you have a cold, taking common cold medications can help manage your symptoms. However, they might not necessarily make your earache go away.

Additionally, taking cold medicines with OTC pain relievers can do more harm than good. That’s because they often share some of the same ingredients.

For example, Nyquil contains acetaminophen, which is the active ingredient in Tylenol. If you take both Nyquil and Tylenol, you could consume too much acetaminophen. This is unsafe for your liver.

Similarly, prescription drugs can interact with OTC medicines. If you’re taking any kind of prescription medication, talk to a doctor before taking OTC cold medicines or pain relievers.

It’s also important to be mindful of:

• Cold medications for young children. If your child is younger than 4 years old, don’t give them these medications unless their doctor says so.
• Aspirin. Avoid giving aspirin to children and teenagers. Aspirin is considered unsafe for this age group due to the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.
• Oils. Some people claim garlic, tea tree, or olive oil can help to clear an ear infection. But there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support these remedies, so use caution.
• Cotton swabs. Avoid putting cotton swabs or other objects inside your ear.

Cold-induced ear pain often resolves on its own.

But if you notice any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:

• symptoms that persist for a few days
• worsening symptoms
• severe ear pain
• fever
• hearing loss
• change in hearing
• earache in both ears

These symptoms may indicate a more serious condition.

Your doctor will use several methods to determine what’s causing your earache. These may include:

• Medical history. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and history of ear pain.
• Physical examination. They will also look inside your ear with a tool called an otoscope. They’ll check for swelling, redness, and pus here, and they’ll also look inside your nose and throat.

If you have chronic ear pain, your doctor may have you see an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

It’s typical to have ear pain during or after a cold. Most cases aren’t serious and usually go away on their own. Rest, OTC pain relievers, and home remedies like ice packs can help you feel better.

Avoid taking common cold medications and pain relievers at the same time, as they can interact and cause problems.

If your ear pain is very severe, or if it lasts for a long time, see a doctor.

what is it, causes of development after SARS, symptoms, treatment, possible complications

Otitis media is inflammation in different parts of the ear, often accompanied by pain, swelling, and hearing loss. The disease can be caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi ^1.2 . Otitis in adults often becomes a complication of colds and flu or occurs in parallel with a viral infection. Let’s talk about the causes and types of ear inflammation, methods of diagnosis and treatment. Let’s share what you can not do with otitis media in order to prevent unpleasant consequences.

Structure of the ear

To understand why and how otitis media and its complications develop, it is necessary to understand the anatomy of the ear. The hearing organ consists of three sections:

1. External. The auditory canal connects the auricle and the tympanic membrane, it is there that inflammation most often develops. The functions of this department are to capture and amplify sounds, conduct them to the middle ear
2. Medium. Tympanic cavity and auditory (Eustachian) tube. The middle part of the ear has no communication with the outer ear – the eardrum tightly covers the ear canal. Ventilation and equalization of pressure in the tympanic cavity, its purification occurs through the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle part of the ear with the pharynx. When a person swallows, the hole on the side of the pharynx opens, due to which the pressure in the cavity is balanced with atmospheric pressure.
3. Internal. This is a complex system of channels (mazes) in the temporal bone. Here, sound is converted into a nerve impulse for its further transmission along the auditory nerve to the brain.

Causes of disease

The main cause of otitis media is a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Pathogenic microorganisms enter the ear in three ways:

● Tubal – directly into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube from the oropharynx and nasopharynx. If the mucous membrane of the auditory tube is damaged, microbes linger on the surface of the epithelium and provoke an inflammatory process. The inflamed mucous membrane is vulnerable even to opportunistic bacteria, which normally do not cause disease. Increased secretion production and violation of its outflow create favorable conditions for the reproduction of microorganisms.

● Hematogenous, that is, with the bloodstream. Not only the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube is affected, but also the external auditory canal, the tympanic membrane. This is how influenza and measles viruses, hemolytic streptococcus, which causes scarlet fever, enter the body.

● Transtympanic – through a damaged eardrum. If the membrane is broken, germs pass from the outer ear into the inner ear.

● In 50–70% of cases, otitis media develops in parallel with SARS (acute respiratory infection), in 30–60% of cases it becomes a complication of colds and flu ¹ .

Inflammation of the middle and outer ear can occur separately.

Internal otitis always becomes a consequence of the average. Therefore, in otolaryngology, it is considered not an independent disease, but a complication of inflammation of the middle ear.

The role of viruses in the development of otitis media

^{2, 3}

The role of the virus in the development of otitis media is great. In 70% of samples of fluid from the middle ear taken from patients, the causative agent of acute respiratory viral infections is found – rhinovirus, influenza virus, bocavirus, metapneumovirus. Thus, most infections of the middle ear are mixed – viral-bacterial.

Otitis externa with ARVI develops less frequently. The defeat of the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane is characteristic of the flu. The virus enters these areas with the bloodstream and leads to the appearance of purple bubbles on the skin.

How otitis media develops

Acute otitis externa responds well to treatment. Inflammation of the middle ear can also develop independently or become a consequence of SARS.

If otitis media is not treated, purulent inflammation may develop. The cavity is filled with exudate, the symptoms intensify, the state of health worsens. If it is not emptied, the pressure of the purulent contents on the eardrum increases. Within 1-3 days, the membrane breaks, and the pus comes out. This brings relief to the patient. The eardrum usually heals without hearing loss.

Options for the development of acute otitis media:

1. Complete recovery.
2. Occurrence of complications.
3. Transition of inflammation to a chronic form.

Inflammation is considered chronic if it lasts more than six weeks. Such otitis is often accompanied by mild symptoms, which is why patients do not go to the doctor.

Symptoms

Inflammation of the middle ear can occur suddenly, without signs of damage to the respiratory tract. If otitis media caused ARVI, its symptoms occur on the third to fifth day from the onset of manifestations of a respiratory infection.

Diagnostics

An ENT doctor (otorhinolaryngologist) diagnoses and treats otitis media. The doctor collects an anamnesis, conducts an examination using an otoscope.

Signs of external otitis: swelling, redness of the mucous membrane of the ear canal, with some infectious diseases, a rash may be observed on the walls of the canal and the eardrum.

With otitis media, the doctor sees a protrusion of the membrane, in case of perforation – a hole in it.

If there is a discharge from the ear canal, it is transferred to the laboratory. The material is examined by the PCR method, bacteriological analysis is carried out. Bakposev allows you to determine the causative agents of infection, choose an antibiotic. To control the course of the infection, a complete blood count is also prescribed. A significant increase in the level of leukocytes indicates acute inflammation, a decrease indicates a subsidence of inflammation.

If intracranial complications are suspected, computed tomography of the head is performed. Audiometry is performed to monitor hearing acuity.

Treatment

⁴

Mild forms of otitis media are treated at home, severe forms (with signs of intoxication) and complicated acute otitis media are treated in a hospital ⁵ .

Treatment is aimed at relieving inflammation, improving the patency of the auditory tube, eliminating the infectious factor – fighting viruses and bacteria. For this, both conservative (medication and physiotherapy) and surgical methods are used.

Medical therapy includes:

● Use of local preparations (with otitis externa). Combined agents are prescribed, with antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic effects.

● Systemic antibiotic therapy – taking antibiotics by mouth or by intramuscular or intravenous injections.

● Antiviral treatment – taking non-specific and specific antiviral drugs. The former increase the activity of the body’s antiviral defenses through the induction of interferons. The disadvantage of non-specific drugs is their speed of action, as a rule, it takes from 24 to 48 hours to develop a clinically significant concentration of interferons – during this time, the virus is already able to spread widely and invade the cells of the body for further replication. Specific antiviral drugs act directly on the virus, depriving it of its ability to multiply and infect healthy cells. For example, the maximum concentration of the active substance enisamium iodide, which is part of the drug Nobasit ^® Forte ⁶ is achieved much faster: in just 2 – 2.5 hours after the first intake of ⁶ .

One of the variants of modern specific therapy is Nobasit ^® Forte ⁶ , which successfully combines direct antiviral action and additional anti-inflammatory effect ⁷ . Research on the basis of the Research Institute of Influenza. A.A. Smorodintseva showed that while taking enisamium iodide, the number of complications requiring antibiotics was 4 times lower compared to the symptomatic therapy group ⁸ . Thus, timely treatment of acute respiratory viral infections can prevent the development of complications such as otitis media.

● Instillation of vasoconstrictive drops into the nose, taking mucolytics to thin the secret, facilitate the release of mucus and improve the patency of the Eustachian tube. In order for the medicine to work more effectively, the nasal cavity is first washed with saline.

● Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – to reduce pain.

● Antipyretic – if the temperature rises above 39˚ or the patient does not tolerate high temperature.

Surgical treatment:

● Opening for abscesses of the external passage.

● Paracentesis of the tympanic membrane (myringotomy) is an incision in the tympanic membrane in case of severe stretching and intractable pain. This removes the contents of the tympanic cavity.

In the treatment of acute and chronic otitis, physiotherapy (UHF, Sollux) is used to restore the functions of the Eustachian tube as soon as possible and prevent relapses. Treatment is given when acute symptoms subside. In case of hearing loss, the patient is referred for a consultation with an audiologist.

Errors in the treatment of otitis media

The main mistake in otitis media is self-medication, the use of means and methods (including folk ones) without a doctor’s recommendation. We tell you how the procedures appointed independently, on the advice of friends or found on the Internet can end.

Application of local preparations

Topical drugs (drops, sprays, flushing solutions) can only be used after otoscopy – the doctor must make sure that the integrity of the eardrum is not broken. If you drop the product into the ear canal when the membrane is perforated, the liquid will enter the middle section. The drugs injure the delicate tissues of the middle ear, which leads to severe pain, dizziness, loss of consciousness. Some substances that are safe for external use destroy the structures inside the ear and cause permanent hearing loss. Only a doctor can treat the ear canal.

Taking antibiotics

There are no “strong” and “weak” antimicrobials. There are agents to which specific microorganisms are sensitive or insensitive. The choice of antibiotic is influenced by the composition of pathogenic microflora. It is impossible to determine the causative agent of the infection and its reaction to the drug without laboratory analysis.

Any medicine must be taken exactly according to the scheme. The dosage form (tablets or injections), doses, frequency of use, duration of the course is chosen by the doctor based on the results of the examination. The severity of the infection, the age and weight of the patient, his condition, the presence of other diseases are important.

Uncontrolled use of antibiotics at best will lead to waste, at worst – to the resistance of the microorganism to the drug. Because of this, the infection will be very difficult to cure. In order not to harm your health, take drugs only as directed by your doctor, strictly follow the dosage and regimen, do not interrupt the course of treatment yourself.

Ear warmer

Most disease-causing microbes die only from very high temperatures. Under the influence of heat, which the body is able to withstand, bacteria only multiply, the disease is more acute. And vasodilation, blood flow to the area of ​​heating leads to the spread of infection to other organs.

Warming up is especially dangerous for purulent inflammations. Pus can penetrate into neighboring tissues, into the structures of the inner ear and the brain. With a purulent process, not only thermal procedures are contraindicated, but also some methods of physiotherapy. The doctor will assess the condition and select a safe method of non-drug treatment.

Non-traditional methods

The most common recommendations of “folk healers” are to drip supposedly healing juice of plants, such as onions, garlic, into the ear. It is unacceptable to do this even for a preventive purpose, when the ears are healthy. The caustic juice irritates the skin, makes it vulnerable to infection, and leads to otitis externa. Medicines based on natural raw materials are safer.

With pain and noise in the ears, hearing loss, it is strictly unacceptable to use ear candles. Contrary to popular belief, they are not able to clean the external passage, and the risk of getting burned, damaging the mucous membranes and even the eardrum is extremely high.

Complications

The special danger of complications in otitis media is due to the close proximity of large blood vessels, nerve trunks and the brain. The inflammation of a middle ear is more often complicated. The spread of infection to neighboring structures causes:

● Labyrinthitis – inflammation of the structures of the inner ear. At the same time, hearing is reduced, dizziness, persistent nausea and vomiting appear, which does not bring relief. Coordination is disturbed – it is difficult for the patient to perform precise actions with his hands, the gait becomes shaky.

● Mastoiditis is an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane and bone tissue of the temporal process, located behind the auricle. You can suspect a complication by swelling, redness, pain in the soft tissues behind the ear. As a result of their edema, the auricle protrudes. More rare signs of mastoiditis are painful seals on the neck, swelling of the face, drooping eyelids, and the inability to move the eyeballs. If the wall of the adjacent carotid artery is damaged, fatal bleeding can occur.

● Neuritis of the facial nerve. The consequence of its inflammation is a decrease in the mobility of facial muscles on the “sick” side of the face. The corner of the mouth drops, the eye opens wide. The patient cannot close his eyelid, smile, frown.

● Meningitis, encephalitis – inflammation of the meninges and brain, respectively. It is manifested by excruciating headaches, convulsions, painful tension of the occipital muscles (a person cannot lower his head). These formidable complications often end in disability and even death.

● Sepsis is the body’s complex response to severe inflammation and toxins. Accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition: loss of strength, high fever, chills, “torrent” sweat, agitation or apathy, delirium. With sepsis, the kidneys, heart, brain suffer, blood clotting is disturbed. Even modern methods of treatment do not always prevent the development of a shock state and death.

● The consequence of otitis media can be persistent hearing loss (hearing loss up to complete deafness) due to purulent fusion of the tympanic apparatus, irreversible damage to the membrane, infectious-toxic damage to the auditory nerve. In 25% of adults with hearing loss, the cause of the pathology is acute or chronic otitis media ⁹ .

Prophylaxis

Significantly reduce the risk of otitis media will help prevent colds, flu:

● Walk more in the fresh air, often ventilate the room. At the same time, avoid hypothermia, drafts.

● At the peak of the seasonal epidemic, limit personal contacts, do not attend mass events.

● Do daily exercise.

● Take vitamin complexes – this will help maintain immunity.

● Get vaccinated against the flu.

If you are already sick with SARS, take antiviral drugs at the first symptoms. The earlier antiviral treatment is started, the more effective it is. Good results are shown by the modern drug Nobasit ^® Forte. This drug equally successfully fights against various pathogens of acute respiratory viral infections, including the influenza virus ⁶ .

Until recovery, stay at home, do not allow physical and mental stress. Avoid getting water into the ear canal, do not use headphones. Follow the rules of hygiene of the organ of hearing: you can only clean the auricle yourself, any manipulations with the ear canal should be carried out by a doctor. These simple measures will help to avoid otitis media.

Briefly about the main

● Otitis often becomes a continuation of an acute respiratory infection. Inflammation is caused by viruses and bacteria.

● By localization, otitis media can be external and medium. With the external one, the part of the auditory canal leading from the eardrum to the auricle is affected. Inflammation of the structures behind the membrane (hearing apparatus, Eustachian tube, connecting the organ of hearing with the pharynx) is called otitis media.

● In most cases, acute respiratory viral infections are complicated by otitis media, but the flu can cause an infection of the external auditory canal.

● Symptoms of otitis externa and otitis media differ. The latter is more severe, more often leads to complications.

● Ear inflammation is diagnosed and treated by an otolaryngologist.

● External otitis is treated mainly with local remedies. With the internal, it is often necessary to take antibiotics, resort to surgical treatment.

● If otitis is suspected, it is impossible to warm the ears, instill medicines, use “folk” methods without a doctor’s appointment.

● The antibiotic for the treatment of internal otitis is chosen by the doctor based on the results of the analysis.

¹ Krivopalov A.A., Fanta I.V., Acute otitis media: epidemiology, classification, etiology and treatment // Medical Council – No. 4, 2016 – https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/ostryy- sredniy-otit-epidemiologiya-klassifikatsiya-etiologiya-i-le…

² Acute viral otitis media: etiology, diagnosis, treatment / Morozova S.V. (and other authors) // Medical Council – No. 16, 2020 – https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/ostryy-virusnyy-sredniy-otit-etiologiya-diagnostika-lechenie

³ Tarasova G.D. Otitis externa: rationale for treatment and prevention // BC – No. 5, 2017 – https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=30081438

⁴ Clinical guidelines “Otitis media acute” – 2021 – http://otolar-centre.ru/images/2022/Clinical/%D0%9E%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%82_%D1%81% D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BD. ..

⁵ Clinical recommendations “Otitis externa” – 2021 – http://otolar-centre.ru/images/2022/Clinical/%D0%9D%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B6%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5_%D0%BE…

⁶ Instructions for medical use of Nobasit® Forte LP-006416.

⁷ Zyryanov S.K., Butranova O.I., Gaidai D.S., Kryshen K.L. Pharmacotherapy of acute respiratory infections caused by influenza viruses // Therapeutic archive – 2021

⁸ Lioznov D.A., Karnaukhova E.Yu., Zubkova T.G., Shakhlanskaya E.V. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the ARVI treatment regimen, including etiotropic (enisamia iodide) and symptomatic therapy // Therapeutic archive No. 3 – 2020 G.

⁹ Clinical guidelines “Otitis media acute” – 2021 – http://otolar-centre.ru/images/2022/Clinical/%D0%9E%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%82_%D1%81% D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BD…

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Otitis

Ear infections are most common in children. However, they do not bypass adults. Let’s figure out why the ears hurt.

Various ear diseases are one of the most common problems with which people turn to otolaryngologists. Ear infections are most common in children. However, they do not bypass adults. Let’s figure out why the ears hurt.

Ear infections

The activity of bacteria that proliferate in the middle ear can cause inflammation and pain. The Eustachian tube, which originates in the middle ear and ends in the nasopharynx, is responsible for protection against harmful microorganisms. If liquid and mucus enter this canal, bacteria obtain a breeding ground and cause otitis media , or otitis media .

Signs of middle ear infection in adults

• Pain and pressure in the ear
• Fever, chills
• imbalance
• Hearing impairment
• Nausea and vomiting
• Discharge of fluid from the ear (this indicates damage to the eardrum)

Signs of infection in the middle ear in children

• Baby does not respond to his name
• The child cries when he hears loud noises
• Fussiness, capriciousness, especially at night
• Toddler holding or tugging on his ear
• Appetite reduction
• Temperature

Left untreated, a middle ear infection can lead to severe inflammation that can lead to permanent hearing loss , as well as problems with the development of speech and language perception in young children. Call your doctor immediately if you think you or your child has otitis media. The specialist will prescribe an individual treatment, because in each case a special set of drugs is required. Keep in mind that self-treatment of inflammation in the middle ear can lead to worsening of the symptoms of the disease.

How to avoid ear infections?

1. Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke. Smoking, including passive smoking, reduces immune functions and makes a person more susceptible to ear infections. 2. Many cases of inflammation of the middle ear are the consequences of a badly cured cold. Never try to endure a cold “on your feet” and carefully follow all doctor’s orders, continuing treatment for as long as necessary. 3. Avoid contact with people with colds and flu and follow the rules of hygiene. 4. Children who regularly visit children’s institutions are more likely to suffer from ear diseases. If your baby is sick, do not send him to kindergarten until all the symptoms of a cold or flu have disappeared – wait for the permission of the pediatrician.