ear infection

Your ears serve you in other ways than just hearing. They also help keep your equilibrium in check. The body uses input from the ears to maintain proper balance. If you have an ear infection, the signals become out of sync, and your brain gets confused. 

What Causes Ear Infections?

Ear infections can be caused by a virus or bacteria, which get into the middle ear due to other illnesses, like the flu, colds, or allergies. That leads to congestion and swelling of the eustachian tube, narrow passageways running from each ear to the back of the throat. 

When the eustachian tube gets blocked due to swelling, the fluid builds up in the middle ear. The buildup of fluid can get infected and affect the ears. 

Symptoms of Ear Infections

The onset of symptoms of an ear infection is usually quick. Your experience would depend on the severity of the infection. The most common sign to look for is pain inside the ear. For children, that can be troublesome because they may not be able to communicate symptoms. So when it comes to addressing ear infections in children, look for signs of discomfort, such as tugging and rubbing of the ears.

Other symptoms to look out for include:

  • Irritability due to the discomfort
  • Lack of sleep
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever
  • Trouble hearing
  • Fluid draining from the ear

Because the ears are crucial in maintaining equilibrium, having an ear infection on one side can directly affect your balance. Ear infections can result in dizziness, difficulty walking, nausea, and vomiting. 

Ear Infection Treatment

An ear infection usually lasts a few days and goes away on its own. You can take medication for the uncomfortable symptoms. For example, chronic pain can alter your mood and affect your routine. That is why pain relief medications are a standard ear infection treatment, especially when the pain is unbearable.

See a doctor if the symptoms persist for more than two days. That indicates the infection is more severe, and your body needs help fighting it. The doctor will run several tests to determine the extent of the illness and the current condition of the ear. The checkup begins with a visual inspection of your inner ear, using several tools to determine how much fluid is behind your eardrums.

By observing your condition, the doctor determines the nature of the infection and prescribes appropriate antibiotics.

Various antibiotics are prescribed for ear infection treatment. The antibiotics you will use will be based on your diagnosis. 

ear infection

Ways to Prevent Ear Infection

Preventing an ear infection is always better than treatment. One way to prevent ear infections is to avoid catching a cold and the flu. To do that, make it a habit to wash your hands wherever you go. You can bring a hand sanitizer to clean your hands when soap and water are unavailable.

Smoking and second-hand smoke exacerbate ear infections as well. Avoid these as much as you can. 

Visit your doctor to discuss vaccination options. Seasonal flu shots and bacterial vaccines are good options to prevent these illnesses and infections.

Visit Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care for Ear Infections

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care is the only health system in Hamilton County offering ER and urgent care services under one roof. Unlike most ER or urgent care centers, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The urgent care center is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. No appointments are not necessary for in-person visits; however, pre-registration is available.

Riverview Health Emergency Room Urgent Care has five convenient locations: