Ear infections – Causes, symptoms, and diagnosis
The phenomenon of ear infection might not be painful or fatal as other infections caused to other body parts. However, if not diagnosed at the right time, the ear infection can increase and spread to other parts of the body, leading to more complications.
Usually more common in children than adults, an ear infection is basically comprised of two types. The infection which is caused behind the eardrum within the main hearing system is called middle ear infection. On the other hand, the infection caused outside the eardrum in the canal which is exposed to outer air is called outer air infection.
Following is a detailed description of the causes behind both the types of ear infection, their symptoms and the basic diagnosis carried out for the same:-
Causes:-
1. Middle Ear infection:-
For the area behind the eardrum, infections are basically caused due to the penetration of bacteria from points that are open to air, such as eyes, mouth, and nostrils. The bacteria entered into the human body through these points get accumulated behind the eardrums, which can lead to the formation of pus just behind the eardrum. This eventually leads to a reduction in the hearing ability of the ears.
In severe conditions, the eardrum of the affected ear can break down due to the breakdown of pus, which happens as a result of excess pressure built up, as a result of which it flows out from the ear.
2. Outer ear infection:-
This kind of infection basically occurs in the narrow passage out of the eardrum, in which germs from the outer air can enter and easily spread. The accumulation of dirt and germs can lead to irritation in the ear, which eventually leads to rashes or swelling. While this is not as occasionally harmful or serious as the middle ear infection, if not taken care of properly, it can also lead to harmful side effects.
Symptoms:-
There are a number of symptoms through which one can identify whether he/she is suffering from the middle ear or outer infection. They are as follows:-
Lack in hearing ability – This is one of the most common symptoms of ear infection. As per it, the hearing ability of one of your ears will reduce as compared to the other one. In some cases, the hearing ability of both ears can deteriorate as well.
Swelling and pain – If there is a swelling in the outer ear, it is one of the clear symptoms of outer ear infection. However, if you feel a constant pain from your ear and you are unable to touch the point from where the pain actually is coming from, then it is a symptom of inner ear infection.
Nausea – Nausea can happen due to a number of reasons, and the ear infection is one of the rare ones. If you are feeling pain from the ear and sickness from within simultaneously, it is a clear indication of ear infection.
Dizziness – Dizziness is a not so common symptom of ear infection and occurs mainly due to other reasons like a mild breakdown of the nervous system or casual fever. However, if you are consistently feeling dizziness, and that too from near one of your ears, chances are that you might be suffering from an ear infection.
Fever – While mild fever is not a clear sign of ear infection, but if you are suffering from severe fever, it usually happens due to multiple reasons, with that of ear infection being one of the mild ones too.
Headache – Like fever, headache too happens due to a range of varied reasons, with the ear infection being one of them. If you are suffering from headache from the corners of your head, there are mild chances that an ear infection might be the major cause behind that.
Diagnosis:-
Before beginning the diagnosis of the ear infection, the concerned doctor will take a look at the medical history for briefing. In this, the affected person has to tell him/her about the symptoms which he/she is facing. Post that, the doctor uses an otoscope to push some amount of pressurized air into the affected ear to check the magnitude of the infection. Based on the reaction of the eardrum by the puffed air against it, further checkup and medication are prescribed by the doctor.