Ear Infection

Otitis Media/Otitis Externa

An ear infection (acute otitis media) is frequently painful because of inflammation and buildup of fluids in the middle ear. Middle ear infections are one of the most common childhood problems. Although adults get them as well, children are more likely than adults to get ear infections.

The ear is divided into three parts: outer, middle, and inner. When the outer ear gets infected it's called Otitis Externa or swimmer's ear. It is often caused by water from the pool, ocean, or shower that was left in the ear canal and becames infected.

The middle ear is a small air filled chamber behind the eardrum. A passageway between the middle ear and the throat called the eustachian tube keeps pressure from building up by letting air move in and out of your middle ear. Normally, this tube also helps drain the middle ear of natural secretions by emptying the fluid into the throat. If the Eustachian tube gets blocked the fluid accumulates and becomes a culture dish for bacteria and viruses. If the secretions in the middle ear become and the area fills up with pus and your ear starts to feel like a balloon that is ready to pop. This can be very painful.

Most ear infections often clear up on their own so initial treatment may focus on pain management and monitoring the problem. Ear infection in infants/children and severe adult cases often need antibiotic treatment. If a severe ear infection is not treated properly the patient could develop hearing problems and other serious complications.

An ear infection often results from another illness such as a chest cold, flu, or sinus allergies that causes congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat and eustachian tubes. Ear infections are not contagious so you cannot catch ear infections from other people. However, you can catch a cold from someone and that can lead to an ear infection. If you have ear pain, fever, or trouble hearing you should seek medical attention.