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MAIN
Health
Pain
Earaches & Ear Infections
On the
outside, ears may big and stick out, or be small and delicate.
On the inside, ears are awesome technological wonders - allowing
us to enjoy a child's laugh, be alert to danger, or listen
to a beautiful symphony.
When ears
ache, it is usually nature's way of telling us there is something
wrong, although just like different ear shapes and sizes,
the cause of earaches may vary widely.
Earache
Causes
The most
common ear disorder in children is middle ear infection, which
is often due to still-developing eustachian tubes (which help
ears properly drain down the back of the throat). Even in
adults, when eustachian tubes become plugged by colds or allergies,
an earache is usually the painful result. Other causes may
include earwax buildup, the pressure inside an airplane cabin,
or "swimmers ear" in which pool or sea water plug
up one or both ears.
Then there
is the occasional bug, tiny hair clipping, or other minute
foreign object that sets off "alarms" in the ear
to help us avoid infection. Earaches may also be caused by
residual pain that may come from a toothache,
sore
throat, an infected tonsil or a sinus infection.
Earache
Cures
Typically,
an earache can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications
(with glycerine the active ingredient) or with applications
of warm mineral oil or water that help cleanse the ear. See
a doctor if an earache lasts for more than a couple of days,
or if earaches become a chronic problem over time.
Around
the Web, learn more about what you can do to decrease your
risk, get help & relief, and additional information on
what your ears may be telling you about related disorders
when they begin to ache ...
Earaches
- Pediatric Dr. Reddy with easily readable subject matter
covering how the ear works and how it can become infected,
a discussion on common earaches and how to treat them, plus
more on on swimmer's ear.
The
Doctors Book of Home Remedies - Earaches - Tips for
quick remedies found around the house including mineral oil,
heat therapy, over-the-counter pain relievers, plus tips on
how to painlessly remove a bug lodged in the ear, with advice
on when to see a doctor.
Ear
Infections and Your Child - Good overview from the
American Academy of Pediatrics with information on causes
and typical symptoms. Scroll to the bottom of the page for
more resources explaining related risk factors, complications,
treatment options.
Middle
Ear Infections - More on kid's ear disorders with
description of symptoms, treatment & home care, practical
tips on prevention, with related advice on swimmer's ear and
"airplane ears".
The
Health Library - Diseases and Disorders > Ears, Nose and
Throat - A virtual online encyclopedia of ear conditions
including a directory of resources for learning more about
common earache, symptoms and treatment, related diseases and
disorders.
also
see in Pain -> Alternative
therapy
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