It is also known as OTALGIA. This is the most
common complaint found in children and adults. It is not always
associated with ear disease. It may be caused by several other
conditions, such as impacted teeth, sinus disease, inflamed tonsils and
infections in the nose and pharynx. Ear pain can be referred
pain to the ears in five main ways:- Symptoms:
This may due to diseases of external, middle and inner ear.
Causes:-
Psychogenic
earache is when no cause to the pain in ears can be found, suggesting a
functional origin. The patient in such cases should be kept under
observation with periodic re-evaluation.
1.Otitis externa-
a.the pain is severe in intensity, worsen by pulling and touching ear.
b.Hearing loss.
c.Ringing and buzzing sound in ear.
d.Sensation of fullness in the ear.
e.Swelling of extrnal ear.
f.Thick drainage of ear.
2.Otitis media-
a.Pain in ear.
b.Hearing loss.
c.Plugged or full sensaton in the ear.
d.Fever
e.Discharge from ear that coming out after rupture of eardrum.
f.Ringing and buzzing in the ear.
g.Other symptoms- nausea and vomiting, irritability, etc.
Investigation:
A physician diagnoses otitis externa or otitis media after examining
the ear with an instrument called an otoscope. In general, x-rays and
other tests are unnecessary.
1.Otoscopy
2.Hearing test for otitis media
3.Laboratory tests in otitis externa
>>Sometimes, a sample of drainage from the
ear is sent to the laboratory in an attempt to identify the specific
bacteria causing the infection.
>>Sending the sample to the laboratory is
not needed in most cases and usually is reserved for infections that do
not respond to normal treatment.
Management:
1. If there is a high fever or severe pain for an ear infection or new
symptoms appear, like dizziness, severe headache, swelling around the ear, weakness of the face muscles, severe pain suddenly stops; this may be a sign of
a ruptured eardrum and symptoms (pain, fever, or irritability) get worse or do not
improve within 24 - 48 hours then patient should consult a specialist.
2. Homoeopathy-People who regularly suffer form ear aches and ear
infections already know that it is possible for the body to develop immunity to the antibiotics that are regularly prescribed to treat them. They should therefore, turn to homoeopathy for help in treating cases of earache. They will surely be satisfied!
3. Prevention- The following steps can help prevent earaches: