It is very common for most of the children to suffer from ear infections at any age. Even grown ups can suffer from ear infections as well. Ear infections among the children can be minor and they can recover easily. Ear infections among the adults can be a sign of a serious health problem.
Ent specialists in Ghaziabad suggests that you should never ignore the symptoms of an ear infection and consult a doctor immediately before it worsens.
Types
Mainly there are three main types of ear infections which are related to the three main parts of our ear- the inner, the middle, and the outer.
- Inner ear infection- this is a condition which may be caused as a result of an inflammation but not any infection. Other symptoms may include such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting. Inner ear inflammation may also be an indication of a serious problem known as meningitis.
- Middle ear infection- the middle ear is located right behind our eardrum. An infection in the middle ear is also called otitis media which is caused by the fluid that is trapped behind the eardrum, and this causes the eardrum to bulge. This may cause an earache due to which you can sense fullness inside your ear and there can be some fluid drainage from the affected ear. The symptoms are fever, trouble in hearing till the infection starts to heal. A middle ear infection can be the cause of cold or any respiratory problem. The infection often starts to move from one ear to the other ear through the Eustachian tubes. An infection along the Eustachian tubes can cause irritation and also swelling which can prevent them from draining properly and then this will cause a build up inside the eardrum.
Outer ear infection- it is that part which extends out the eardrum to the outside of our head. An outer ear infection is also called otitis externa. This outer ear infection is mainly known to start as an itchy rash and slowly it might become painful, tender, red and also swollen. This infection in the outer ear is caused by bacterial infection. An outer or middle ear infection will depend on how you get it. This outer ear infection is also known as swimmer’s ear because it can be caused due to the water that is left behind in the ear as a result of swimming or bathing. This leads the moisture to become a breeding ground for the bacteria. Scratching or irritating the outer lining of the ear with our finger or any other object will cause increase in the growth of the bacterial infection.
Diagnosis
After you have find out that you are having an ear infection, no matter how severe or little it is, always make sure to consult a doctor. It is very important to go through the right treatment. A simple ear infection may worsen without proper treatment. A doctor will use a pneumatic otoscope to have a detailed look of our external ear and the eardrum.
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