Causes and treatment for earache

The earache It can be the consequence of a disease originating in the ear itself or generated from a pathological process that affects anatomical structures far from it.

The doctor should perform a careful review of the pinna, external auditory canal and tympanic membrane, as well as a complete examination of the nasal passages, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and neck.

In most cases, this will suffice to diagnose the cause in most otalgias, although on some occasions it will be necessary to perform complementary diagnostic studies such as a scan or CT, magnetic resonance imaging, etc.

Causes of earaches in children and adults

• In children, the most common cause of earache is mainly ear diseases. In the summer seasons, with more visits to the swimming pools, the incidence of external otitis in children also increases.
• In adults, referred otalgia is the most common, with TMJ pathology as the most frequent entity.

What is the treatment for earache?

• Topical or general antibiotics
• antifungals
• antivirals
• Topical or general analgesic-anti-inflammatory
• Decongestant medications
• Surgical drainage

Otodynia

This type of earache is due to processes inflammatory, traumatic or tumorous They occur directly in the ear, either in the external auditory canal (outer ear) or in the tympanic cage (middle ear). Diseases of the inner ear, usually they do not cause pain, but they are usually accompanied by symptoms such as:

• Otorrhea (ear discharge)
• Otorrhagia (blood draining from the ear)
• (deafness)
• Tinnitus (noises in the ear)
• Vertigo symptoms

Earache

It is the referred pain in the ear, but originated at a distance from it. It is due to the rich innervation that exists in the otic area (cranial nerves V, VII, IX and cervical plexus), causing a affectation existing in any of those nerve branches manifests as an earache.

In this case, no accompanying otic symptoms (otorrhea, hearing loss, etc…) were observed and the otoscopic examination was normal.

Primary ear pain

The causes are multiple, being the infectious disease of the ear the most frequent, but it can also be due to chronic diseases, ear trauma, tumors, Eustachian tube dysfunctions ...

• External otitis: an infectious process occurs in the skin of the external auditory canal, which will be seen with the otoscope as red, sensitive and painful when pulling the ear, even with purulent discharge or with white or grayish masses. Sea water or swimming pools favor their appearance.
• EAC trauma: it is frequent in those people who use cotton swabs for cleaning or also hearing aids, and also in cases of retention of a foreign body in the canal.
• External folliculitis: painful picture, the result of infection by bacteria of an obstructed hair follicle, in the area of ​​the canal where hairs are found. A small abscess (encapsulated infection) may form.
• Otic herpes or Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome: It begins as an intense burning pain and generally, after 24-48 hours, the typical skin vesicles typical of herpes appear in the ear concha and in the EAC.
• : middle ear infection. The most frequently associated bacteria are the) and the. They present with fever, previous catarrhal symptoms, a sensation of ear plugging, hearing loss, and otoscopy usually show a bulging eardrum due to secretion accumulated behind them and reddened.
• Acute baro-otitis: it sometimes manifests itself as an intensely painful picture. It is caused by the inability of the Eustachian tube to match sudden changes in pressure within the middle ear to external increases in atmospheric pressure (descent from an airplane or a diving dive). An otoscopy with mucous congestion in the middle ear will generally be seen and may be associated with a sensation of ear plugging and hearing loss.

Referred ear pain

• Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: It encompasses a set of musculoskeletal disorders that affect the bone joint of the jaw in the skull, the muscles of chewing, or both. Bruxism, dental malaocclusion, and emotional stress are predisposing factors.
• Acute sinusitis: infection of the maxillary sinus or ethmoid cells.
• Dental disease
• Degenerative diseases of the cervical spine

• The term "earache" is often used to describe all kinds of pain, both those of the ear or of the ear, as well as those secondary or referred to in it.
• In children, the most common cause of earache is ear diseases, mainly acute otitis media. In summer, the incidence of external otitis also increases in this group.
• In adults, referred earache is the most common, with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology as the most frequent entity.
• Remember that with insurance, you can perform any medical test to see the state of your ears and thus prevent any pathology.

CALCULATE YOUR PRICE