Does it feel like there’s a build-up of pressure in your head? It could be an ear infection. An ear infection occurs when one or more of your eustachian tubes (canals within the middle ear that control pressure to match the external environment) becomes swollen/inflamed or blocked. This causes fluid to build up in your middle ear leading to discomfort and or a feeling of 'fullness' in the ear.
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Before learning how to get rid of ear inflammation and infection, it’s important to know what causes it in the first place.
Inflammation, the primary driver of the symptoms associated with an ear infection, is thought to be caused by exposure to a virus or bacteria. Bacteria, like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae are the two most common bacterial causes, while viruses include those that cause colds or flu.
Inflammation often begins with infections that cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory problems, and spreads to the middle ear. Notably, it can affect both ears at the same time, exacerbating symptoms.
Ear infections most commonly affect children, so asking them to interpret how they’re feeling may be difficult for them to articulate. Telltale signs of an ear infection to look out for are:
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Young children are at greater risk of developing ear infections because they have short and narrow eustachian tubes compared to adults. Other potential risk factors include:
Identifying the severity is the first step to get rid of ear infection cases. Your doctor or healthcare provider will examine your ears using a device called an otoscope (which has a light and magnifying lens). They will be looking for build-up of fluid within the ear itself as well as any possible perforation/damage to the eardrum.
Most cases will clear up without the need for an ear infection cure or clinical intervention. Some simple strategies on how to get rid of fluid in the ear and other symptoms include:
Antibiotics are often not required for treating ear infections, as the body’s immune system can typically fight them off on its own. However, more serious cases, or those lasting for a prolonged period of time, may require the use of antibiotic medicine.
Doctors will either delay prescribing the use of antibiotic treatment or suggest you wait several days before you begin taking them to see if the infection clears up naturally.
Certain cases may involve a procedure to drain the middle ear of excess fluid. These cases include repeated long-term ear infections or continuous fluid build-up in the ear after an infection has cleared up.
It’s recommended that those who do suffer from repeated infections or persistent fluid build up be monitored closely by their healthcare practitioner. Discuss with them the best course of action for monitoring and how often you should visit them to reduce the risk of reoccurrence.
On top of learning how to get rid of an ear infection, it’s better to know how to prevent them in the first place.
Prevention of ear infections is similar to the medical recommendations you would follow to avoid any kind of viral or bacterial exposure. Firstly, maintaining adequate personal care and hygiene (washing your hands).
Make sure you have any recommended vaccines, such as flu vaccine and, for senior citizens, pneumococcal vaccine – this protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common cause of middle ear infections. In addition, avoid contact with people who may have a virus (avoiding overly crowded areas).
Other unique recommendations to avoid ear infection occurrence or reoccurrence include not smoking and avoiding exposure to second-hand smoke (and any forms of carbon monoxide).
Our site has much more information about ear infections, possible causes, symptoms and treatments.
