The Anatomy of an Ear Infection - Risks, Symptoms, and Treatments
What's the cause of an ear infection?
The middle ear is normally an air filled cavity that connects to the back of the throat through a small tube called the Eustachian tube. When a child has a cold or similar upper respiratory tract infection the Eustachian tube that normally provides a drain for the middle ear becomes an entrance way for viruses to move up from the oro-pharynx through the Eustachian tube and into the middle ear. The infection causes inflammation of the Eustachian tube which then causes it to swell and close. This then causes a fluid buildup in the middle ear cavity which in turn puts pressure against the inner eardrum. The eardrum is a very thin membrane that is loaded with sensitive nerve fibers, any pressure against it is intensely painful. OUCH!
What are some factors that increase the risk of an ear infection?
Young children are more susceptible to ear infections than older children. Their Eustachian tubes are small and allow for a greater likelihood of infection. Factors that may increase risk of ear infection include: * An upper respiratory tract infection i.e. cold - ear infections are much more common in winter than in any other season when viral infections such as cold and flu is running rampant. * Secondhand smoke - children with one or more parents who smoke have been shown by multiple medical studies to be at significant higher risk to develop middle ear infections * Exposure to illness-young children who have regular contact with other children may be more vulnerable to ear infections
What are the symptoms?
Yes we know the obvious, such as a painful ear that leaves you crying for relief, but what about the symptoms that might help you catch an ear infection in the early stages. Younger children may appear fussy and irritable. They may have trouble sleeping, feeding, or hearing. Fever may also be present. There is often a history of congestion and runny nose from a cold or upper respiratory tract infection. Smaller children will often begin tugging at their infected ear or ears. Sometimes the ear will begin draining and there will be a relief of pain and a decrease in temperature. This is usually the result of eardrum rupture. Often the symptoms then improve after rupture and the eardrum usually spontaneously heals but repeated eardrum ruptures can lead to scarring of the tympanic membrane and can lead to permanent hearing loss.
How do you get rid of an ear infection?
Time for the bubble gum medicine. Yes, a trip to see the Doctor and the old stand-by Amoxicillan is a good place to start. If there is a history of frequent ear infections or any history of immune dysfunction then a more broad spectrum 2nd or 3rd generation antibiotic would probably be used. If there is a history of repeated ear infections due to chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction or history of allergies that causes the Eustachian tube to be chronically swollen and closed then chronic low dose antibiotics may be prescribed as a suppressive agent on a daily basis. There is also an option for tympanostomy tube placement which is a ventilation device between the middle ear and the external ear canal that provides an opening in the eardrum that acts as a vent for fluid build-up in the middle ear.
