Earache causes vary depending on the age of the person, the surroundings and the type of infection. Earaches are common to both adults and children but the latter are more prone to this condition. To treat the infection, ENT doctors or ear specialist will first find the root of the problem.
The ear is one of the five important sensory organs of the body. It is divided into the inner ear, middle ear and the outer ear. If the outer ear or the middle ear has an inflammation, it can result to an earache. The cold weather is noted as one of the major earache causes. Symptoms may include mild to severe ear pain and, if left untreated, can definitely lead to hearing loss.
Among the three divisions of the ear, it is the middle and the outer ear that is frequented by infections. Earache causes can include otitis media, otitis externa, an ear disease, ear infection, injury to the jawbones, insect inside the ear, and arthritis of the jaw and a nose, throat or mouth infection. Other causes of earaches are a result of wax buildup and fungus growth as well as poor sleeping habits, damage on the eardrum and blockage in the ear tube.
Earache symptoms may include excessive pain, fever, itching, difficutly in eating, diarrhea, hearing loss, irritability, ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear and the swelling of the ear among others. The microbes infecting the ears are usually from the respiratory tract. What starts as a respiratory infection can lead to an ear infection once the bacteria or virus reaches the Eustachian tubes then to the ears when you blow your nose. It usually enters through the inner ear then to the middle ear and the eardrum. As the infection results to pus, it pushes against the eardrum. With all the sensitive nerve endings here, pain is guaranteed. The worse case scenario would be the bursting of the eardrum. Once the eardrum bursts, all hearing will be lost.
It is really important to care for the ears. Since noone can predict when an infection can occur, you need to always monitor your ears and check for the symptoms. Learning about earache causes can also help you understand what can make you prone to an ear infection.
