Earache is general problem for children as well as for adults. Ear pain in children is frequently caused by a build-up of liquid and pressure at the back of the eardrum, in the region known as middle ear. The middle ear is directly attached to the nasal channels by a small narrow tube, known as Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube work is to permit normal liquid to drain out from the middle ear, and helps in keeping the pressure in ear stable.
But in case of cough, cold or allergy Eustachian tube can get blocked due to swelling and the build-up of secretions. This is mainly happen with small children, because their Eustachian tube is smaller and extra horizontal. Blocking of the Eustachian tube stop the usual flow of liquid from the middle ear. The liquid starts to build up that can cause ear infection, stuffiness, ache, and sometime hearing loss.
Earache in adults is less possible to be from an ear infection. It is observed that in adults earache may actually be coming from some other location, like temporomandibular joint, teeth, throat, or many more. This type of ear pain is known as “Referred Pain”.
There are two circumstances that causes earaches are Otitis externa (infection of the outer ear) and Otitis media (infection of the middle ear).
Otitis externa
It is commonly known as swimmer’s ear because it frequently occurs after swimming. Basically it is skin infection of the external ear or ear canal
Otitis media
This type of pain is common in infants and children aged between 6 months to 2 years. It occurs because of middle ear and eardrum infection. It may affect adults and older children.
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