Ear Infection Treatment

Ear infection: An ear infection occurs when a bacterial or viral infection strikes the middle of the ear, the section just behind the eardrum. Middle ear infection becomes painful due to the inflammation and fluid build-up in the middle ear. ENT specialist provides ear infection treatment for an acute and chronic middle ear infection associated with severe pain.

Ear Infection

A person can have either acute or chronic ear infections.

An acute ear infection occurs only for a short duration, but it is painful – whereas Chronic ear infection can permanently cause damage to the inner and middle ear as they recur many times or either don’t clear up at all.

What causes Ear Infection?

The middle ear is separated from your external ear by the eardrum and connected to the back of your nose and throat by a narrow passageway called the eustachian tube.

When the eustachian tube in the middle ear becomes swollen or blocked, it causes the fluid to build up, resulting in ear infection. Some of the common causes of an ear infection include:

• Colds
• Allergies
• Sinus infections
• Excess mucus
• Swollen or infected adenoids
• Smoking
• Change in air pressure

Middle-ear infections are common in children because they have short and narrow Eustachian tubes.

Ear Infection Symptoms

The symptoms of ear infections can be persistent or intermittent (may come and go). You may experience symptoms in one or both the ears. With a double ear, infection pain is usually more severe.

The common symptoms of an ear infection include:

• Discomfort or mild pain inside the ear
• The feeling of persisting pressure inside the ear
• Fussiness in infants
• Hearing loss
• Puss like ear drainage
• Sleeping difficulty

Inner Ear Infection Symptoms

The symptoms associated with a chronic ear infection may be less noticeable than that of an acute ear infection.

Visit an ENT specialist immediately, if you or your child has severe ear pain.

Ear Infection Treatment

An ENT specialist examines your ears with an instrument called an otoscope to have a detailed view of the internal ear. This examination is helpful in determining fluid draining from the middle ear, redness or puss like fluid inside the middle ear collapsed or bulging eardrum and a perforation in the eardrum.

Without any intervention, most of the mild ear infections clear up. Watchful waiting period according to many ENT specialists would be around 2 to 3 days. ENT specialists delay in prescribing antibiotics during this period. They often prescribe antibiotics if the infection persists for more than 3 to 4 days.

In relieving the symptoms of mild ear infection some of the following methods can be effective:

• Application of warm cloth to the affected ear
• Use of prescribed ear drops to relieve pain

If you do not see any improvement in your conditions or if your symptoms are getting worse, you should immediately schedule an appointment with us.

Dr Neetu might recommend certain tests in case the infection has spread beyond the middle ear.

Inner Ear Infection Treatment

If you are suffering from a chronic ear infection, doctors might advise you to have a hearing test.

In case your ear infection isn’t getting cured with usual medical treatments, surgery can be an option. Surgical removal of the adenoids may be necessary in case the ear infection involves enlarged adenoids.

Surgery often involves the placement of tubes inside the ear to drain out the fluid.

Prevention of Ear Infection

An ear infection can be prevented or the risk can be reduced by following these simple practices:

• Washing hands regularly
• Avoiding overly crowed area
• Maintaining ear hygiene
• Keeping immunizations up to date

For the best ear infection treatment in Hyderabad, book an appointment with Dr Neetu Modgil. She provides treatment according to the symptoms and specific requirements of the patients.

Seek immediate medical help, if you have a high fever, worsening symptoms, fluid, blood or pus discharge from the ear and hearing loss with symptoms persisting for more than 3 to 4 days.