Share:
Earache Causes and Treatments
contents
- Occurrence and causes of earache
- Inflammation of the external auditory canal
- Foreign body in the ear
- Tubenkatarrh
- Cause middle ear infection
- Mastoiditis: inflammation of the areola
- Painful ears due to injuries of the eardrum
- Excessive cleanliness
- Earache while flying
- Causes outside the ear area
- Inflammation in the oral cavity, throat or throat
- Inflammation of the parotid gland / mumps
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Cause trigeminal neuralgia
- cervical spine problems
- Thyroiditis (thyroiditis)
- Pfeiffer's disease - Pfeiffer's glandular fever - Mononucleosis infectiosa
- Cancer of the mouth and throat / throat cancer
- Rare causes
- Treatment of earache
- Treatment in natural healing practice
- Schüssler salts and homeopathy
- Proven home remedies for earache
Occurrence and causes of earache
Children are particularly affected by earache. This has anatomical reasons, because the connection between nasopharynx and ear (Eustachian tube) is still very short and horizontal in childhood. As a result, pathogens can collect and settle there more easily than is possible with adolescents and adults. Ear infections, especially in the area of the middle ear, have been shown to affect more boys than girls. Since the ear is an extremely sensitive organ, pain in the external and internal auditory canal is usually hard to bear.
Children are particularly susceptible to earache because their Eustachian tube is not yet fully functional. This causes inflammation faster. (Image: athomass / fotolia.com) Inflammation of the external auditory canal
Pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi can cause inflammation of the external auditory canal (otitis externa). The causes for this are, for example, infections via dirty bath water. In addition, frequent bathing in chlorine-containing water dries out the skin in the external auditory canal, which makes it easier for pathogens to settle.
Mechanical irritations caused by ear cleansing with the cotton swab can cause an ear canal inflammation. Ear wiping too often with ear buds and removing too much earwax can also cause inflammation because earwax plays an important protective role.
Allergic reactions to hair spray, care products and cosmetics are considered as possible triggers for inflammation of the external auditory canal. People with diabetes are at an increased risk for otitis externa.
The disease is characterized by very severe earache, often accompanied by itching, discharge, tinnitus and possible hearing loss. Often a clear redness and swelling can be seen.
As part of the treatment, the ear, nose and throat doctor (short: ENT specialist) cleans the ear canal and makes a swab to determine the pathogen. Swabs soaked in alcohol or cortisone-containing ointment strips are placed in the ear canal to remove the inflammation. Furthermore, ear drops are used regularly.
Foreign body in the ear
Most children are affected by foreign bodies in the ear. Small parts (such as pearls, marbles, peas) dislocate the ear canal and must be expertly removed by an ENT specialist. Attention: When you try to remove the foreign body yourself, they often get further into the ear and are pushed towards the eardrum. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
Furthermore, earwax can lead to a laying of the eardrum, if it gets too far into the ear. This usually happens by incorrect cleaning with the cotton swab.
The use of cotton buds can have nasty consequences. When applied incorrectly, they can e.g. lead to injuries of the eardrum and shift the earwax deep into the ear canal. (Image: fpic / fotolia.com) In the case of a foreign body in the ear, a lighter ear pain occurs, usually a form of pressure pain, possibly accompanied by tinnitus and impaired hearing.
Tubenkatarrh
A so-called "tubal catarrh" is an inflammation of the Eustachian tube (Tuba auditiva). This is the connection between the nasopharynx and the middle ear, whose main task is pressure equalization. The Eustachian tube is lined with mucous membrane, which can inflame and then swell. This swelling causes mild earache, often in conjunction with a brief hearing loss.
Tubal catarrh occurs both acutely and chronically. In the acute case there is a temporary inflammation, which is mainly triggered by an infection. The chronic variant leads to a permanent accumulation of secretions in the tympanic cavity and is usually associated with a significant hearing loss. This can lead to a speech delay, especially in children. In addition, there are constant pressure on the ears, "gurgling" noises when yawning or blowing and earache.
To reduce the swelling, decongestant nose drops, anti-inflammatory drugs (anti-inflammatory drugs) and, if necessary, pain medications are used.
Cause middle ear infection
The most bacterial otitis media (otitis media) occurs especially often in smaller children. It is most often caused by the fact that in connection with an infection in the ear, nose and throat, the pathogens ascend via the Eustachian tube from the inside. The mucous membrane in the tympanic cavity swells and it forms a secretion.
A middle ear infection often arises as part of a cold when pathogens pass through the nasopharyngeal space in the middle ear. (Image: bilderzwerg / fotolia.com) In connection with an otitis media, massive, sometimes unbearable earache occurs. Infants and toddlers often show paralellous non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhea. Typically, children often attack the affected ear. The disease is usually associated with high fever. Smaller children are extremely restless and usually want to be carried around the whole time.
Most of the otitis media is preceded by a cold or influenza infection or sinusitis. Teething troubles, such as measles, can also be associated with inflammation of the middle ear.
The treatment is carried out with decongestant nose drops and analgesic drugs. Often an antibiotic is the drug of choice. With massive earache and bulging eardrum, a small incision may be needed to allow the effusion to drain. Supportive natural home remedies for middle ear infection can be used. These include, among other things, the proven onion bag or an edition of roses and wormwood.
Mastoiditis: inflammation of the areola
The mastoid is the bony area behind the ear. This can ignite, which is a fairly serious condition. The condition known as "mastoiditis" is one of the most common complications of untreated acute otitis media. In the worst case, the bone must be surgically opened. In the inflammation of the mastoid process sufferers suffer from massive earache, painful swelling behind the ear, fever and vaginal discharge.
Painful ears due to injuries of the eardrum
Pointed objects such as e.g. Knitting needles, pencils or cotton swabs can pierce the eardrum directly. Indirect effects are a knock on the ear, an explosion or a diving accident. Both direct and indirect eardrum injuries cause sudden earache, possibly accompanied by escaping fluid and blood and / or dizziness. Within two weeks, the eardrum usually heals itself, but can also be closed surgically.
Excessive cleanliness
Especially with adolescents and adults can be conjured up by too frequent and incorrectly applied ear hygiene with the cotton swab an inflammation in the ear. In the improper ear cleaning, which is usually a cotton swab or another sharp object is used, quickly the smallest injuries in the ear canal. As a result, bacteria or fungi can settle more easily and cause unpleasant inflammation, which is usually associated with acute earache.
Many people suffer from unpleasant pressure on the ears and earache while flying. The reason for this is the changed air pressure in the aircraft. (Image: m.mphoto / fotolia.com) Earache while flying
A common phenomenon is ear pain when starting and / or landing an aircraft. The rapid pressure differences cause difficulties for the passengers, which can lead to pressure in the ear, hearing loss and sometimes considerable pain.
The situation is aggravated when those affected are already on the plane with a cold. People who are prone to earache when flying or even travel with a cold on a plane should therefore be sure to provide ear and nose drops before traveling. Chewing a chewing gum during the flight helps with pressure equalization.
Causes outside the ear area
Ear pain does not have its cause directly in the ears. Instead, disorders in the environment of the sensory organ and other diseases may be responsible for the symptoms. For example, people who crunch teeth at night usually suffer from tense jaw muscles, which can cause pain in the ear area.
Inflammation in the oral cavity, throat or throat
The ear is an extremely sensitive organ, so toothache or TMJ can be expressed in part as earaches. Patients with side-atrial ganglia, inflammation of the pharyngeal wall, often complain of painful sores over painful ears. The same is common in angina tonsillaris (tonsillitis).
Inflammation of the parotid gland / mumps
In mumps (medical: Parotitis epidemica), colloquially called "goat peter", it is an acute viral inflammation of the parotid gland. The disease mainly occurs in community facilities such as kindergartens or schools. The pathogen is the mumps virus, which is transmitted by droplet infection from person to person and then after entering the nasopharynx via the bloodstream attacks the parotid glands.
It is typical that at first only one side of the face swells in those affected, but in the course of the disease, in seventy-five percent of the cases, the other side is also affected. Patients show the typical "hamster cheeks" and sometimes feel strong pain that radiate up to the ears. Since most children are now vaccinated against mumps, this disease is now relatively rare.
Herpes zoster (shingles)
Shingles is a viral disease caused by the chickenpox vicious (varicella-zoster virus). After a chickenpox disease that has already passed, a secondary infection, in this case herpes zoster, can develop as the immunity declines.
The virus disease shingles can also affect the ear and cause severe pain here. (Image: pixfly / fotolia.com) The general symptoms are usually low, but there is an extremely painful, itchy rash on. The most commonly affected are the thoracic and abdominal areas. As a zoster ophthalmicus, the painful blisters extend to the scalp, nasal and / or eye area. Zoster oticus, however, affects the pinna and the ear canal, which can cause significant ear pain.
Cause trigeminal neuralgia
The so-called "trigeminal neuralgia" is a pain disorder in the supply area of the fifth cranial nerve, the trigeminal nerve. Most people over the age of fifty are affected by pre-existing neurological diseases.
Typical of trigeminal neuralgia are sudden, tearing pains caused by movements in speaking or chewing, or light touch of certain facial areas. The pain attacks usually last only a few seconds, but can occur again in an interval of a few minutes.
cervical spine problems
In the area of the cervical spine, there are many nerves that supply the head, shoulders and arms. Here occurring problems such as a cervical disc prolapse (herniated disc in the cervical region), in addition to pain in the neck (headache from the neck starting) and shoulder area and headache can also lead to earache.
Thyroiditis (thyroiditis)
The thyroid is located in the front of the neck. In relatively rare cases, the endocrine gland can become inflamed, which usually happens as part of an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Other possible causes of inflammation include bacteria, injuries and certain medications.
The symptoms may vary depending on the cause. In addition to pain and swelling, redness and overheating in the thyroid gland, lymph node swelling, difficulty swallowing, severe weakness and high fever are possible. The sore throat can radiate into the jaw, the ears or the whole head, sometimes even the chest area is affected.
Pfeiffer's disease - Pfeiffer's glandular fever - Mononucleosis infectiosa
Pfeiffer's glandular fever (also known as "Kissing Desease") is a widespread, contagious disease that used to appear primarily in college. Today, it usually occurs in childhood or adolescence, whereby the Durchseuchung with the triggering Epstein-Barr virus is relatively high.
Typically, the first symptoms of dysentery glandular fever are similar to those of a common cold. Patients suffer from severe sore throats that can spread to the ears, body aches, cough, runny nose and fever. At the same time swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck area and sometimes under the arms or in the groin area can be seen. In some cases, an tonsillitis (tonsillitis) is added, which is indicated by a whitish-gray coating on the tonsils (tonsils).
With the Pfeifferschen glandular fever, the sore throat can radiate to the ears. Usually, the disease begins with typical cold symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue. (Image: Elnur / fotolia.com) Cancer of the mouth and throat / throat cancer
Malignant tumors in the mouth and larynx give rise to difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat and earache.
Rare causes
Rarely malignant growths in the area of the external and internal auditory canal, but also in the auricle and growths in the nasopharyngeal space can lead to discomfort in the ears.
Treatment of earache
Since the symptoms represent a symptom and not a disease, the underlying disease is treated first. Then there is the symptomatic therapy in the form of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. In case of inflammation in the external auditory canal, cortisone-containing ointments may be used. Injuries or growths require partial surgical intervention.
Important for a diagnosis is in addition to the physical examination a detailed history. The type of pain (for example, pulsating, tapping, pulling or drilling), the intensity, possibly the time of pain and the exact location of the pain are inquired. In addition, concomitant symptoms such as fever, hearing loss and general fatigue and fatigue are important. Preceding illnesses such as a flu infection, a childhood disease or detailed information about injuries and accidents contribute to a precise diagnosis.
Treatment in natural healing practice
In the naturopathic treatment of earache is of course also the therapy of the underlying disease in the foreground. In the case of recurrent (recurrent) infections, especially methods are used which strengthen the immune system. These include, for example, relaxation techniques for stress relief, such as yoga or autogenic training, Kneipp castings or a self-blood therapy.
Especially with more massive diseases such as the middle ear infection, the use of an antibiotic is often unavoidable. Naturopathic remedies, however, can be used in many cases in parallel to conventional therapy promising.
To treat an acute tubal catarrh or a middle ear infection, among other things Cantharidenpflaster are used. These are attached behind the ear. The patches contain the poison Cantharidin, which is obtained from the Spanish fly. This contains substances that promote circulation and strengthen the defense. The body is assisted in stimulating excretion to expel pathogens from the body.
Other effective home remedies for middle ear inflammation are an onion compress or a potato sachet. In the former, chopped onions are placed in a cloth and then fixed on the ear with a headband or cap. The effect can be further supported by an additional heat source. Often children refuse this wrap because it does not smell pleasant. However, once the effect is felt on one's own body, children will also be asked to use this home remedy again and again if they have the appropriate symptoms.
Potato packet for earache:
|
An envelope of chopped onions or mashed potatoes is considered an effective home remedy for earache. (Image: Mara Zemgaliete / fotolia.com) Schüssler salts and homeopathy
In alternative medicine, decongestants from phytotherapy, homeopathy or Schuessler salts are administered to the aching ears. Examples are the Schüssler salt No. 3 (Ferrum phosphoricum), which helps against the redness and inflammation. The salt No. 4 (potassium chloratum) is well-known as a known mucous membrane, No. 11 (Silicea) is well suited for the treatment of bacterial infection. Salt No. 6 (potassium sulfuricum) is used in mineral therapy with Schüßler salts when the disease has set.
From classical homeopathy, Chamomilla is the drug of choice when infants and young children suffer from earache and are extremely insufferable, whining and whiny. For the Otits externa, remedies such as the Schüssler salt No. 4 are available both for internal use and for external use in the form of ointment.
Proven home remedies for earache
Under certain circumstances, ear drops are used in naturopathy - with an intact eardrum. These contain, for example, Aconitum (iron hat) in acute and severe pain, lavender oil for sedation and irritation and / or Levisticum against the inflammation.
If the pain is associated with an acute influenza infection, inhaling with sea salt and administering nasal drops (also based on sea salt) will help. Because this swells the mucous membrane in the nose and throat gangrene and the inflammatory secretions can drain, which reduces the pressure on the eardrum.
Unless serious underlying disease is present, a number of other effective home remedies for earache may be considered for the natural management of the condition. For example, relief can be provided by a cold wrap with healing clay or a warm envelope of finely ground mustard flour. (sw, nr, last updated on 22.12.2016)