{"id":213,"date":"2021-06-07T18:14:24","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T23:14:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entmidwest.fm1.dev\/providing-comprehensive-ear-nose-throat-care\/ear-infection\/"},"modified":"2022-10-13T14:32:20","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T19:32:20","slug":"middle-ear-infection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/ent\/middle-ear-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle Ear Infection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [{\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What Causes Ear Infections?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"An ear infection occurs in the middle ear when fluid becomes trapped following a viral or bacterial infection. The majority of ear infections are viral or bacterial in nature, usually occurring after a cold or upper respiratory infection. These conditions cause swelling of the Eustachian tube, a small canal that connects the middle ear to the upper part of the throat and provides an outlet for fluid drainage, trapping germs and fluid in the middle ear and leading to infection.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"Why do children get ear infections so frequently?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Because the Eustachian tube is smaller in children, it is more prone to swelling; when this occurs, fluid is trapped in the middle ear. This fluid presses against the eardrum, causing pain, and can harbor germs that lead to infection. The result is an earache and, in some cases, loss of hearing.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What Are the Symptoms of an Ear Infection?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"The hallmark signs of otitis media are pain and pressure in the ear and fluid drainage. These may be accompanied by a low-grade fever and hearing loss. Infants are often fussier than usual, and may cry inconsolably, refuse to eat and have trouble sleeping. They may also pull or tug on their ears.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"When should I see a doctor about an ear infection?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"The sooner an acute ear infection is treated, the lower the chances of it developing into a chronic condition.  Schedule an appointment with our clinic if: You experience fluid discharge, bloody fluid, or pus from your ear, symptoms of an ear infection last longer than a day, you are in extreme pain, your child shows symptoms and is under 6 months of age, your toddler or infant shows symptoms following an upper respiratory infection or cold.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"Can an ear infection cause complications?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\":\"If left untreated, chronic ear infections can lead to a variety of complications including hearing loss, damage to the bones in the middle ear, balance problems, a middle ear cyst called a cholesteatoma, facial paralysis and inflammation of the brain. For these reasons, early detection and treatment are crucial. Better still is prevention.\"\n}\n  }, {\n\"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What causes mastoiditis?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"In addition to pain and discomfort, a middle ear infection can cause tiny air cells in the mastoid bone to fill up with pus. This is call a mastoid infection or mastoiditis. As the infection spreads, potentially reaching the brain, the bone is destroyed, resulting in hearing loss. If antibiotics are unsuccessful in clearing up the infection, then mastoid surgery may be needed.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"What are the symptoms of mastoiditis?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Symptoms of mastoiditis include swelling, redness, and tenderness of the ear lobe and area behind the ear as well as drainage of fluids from the ear, fever, irritability and lethargy.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"How is mastoiditis treated?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\": \"Many cases of mastoiditis are treated successfully with antibiotics. Chronic cases may require frequent visits for thorough ear cleanings. When antibiotics fail to treat the problem adequately, or it recurs frequently, a mastoid surgery, or mastoidectomy may be necessary.\"\n    }\n  }, {\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n    \"name\": \"How Are Ear Infections Treated?\",\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n      \"text\":\"Treating an ear infection begins at home. To help soothe symptoms, gently press a warm washcloth against the affected ear. Eardrops and over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain. Avoid aspirin, which can be dangerous to young children. Your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to treat a chronic ear infection. Common options include amoxicillin. Antibiotics should always be taken until used up, even if you or your child\u2019s symptoms appear to be improving; otherwise, the infection could worsen. When medication is not effective, a surgical solution involving ear tubes may be considered. These are inserted in the ear drum and provide ventilation and fluids, keeping the ear clear and preventing infection. Most ear tubes remain in place anywhere from six to 18 months and eventually fall out on their own. If not, surgery to remove them is performed.\"\n    }}]\n  }\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection) and Tubes<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A middle ear infection is one of the most common reasons for a child to visit a doctor. Roughly 75% of all children experience at least one during their life. The underlying reason for this is that the Eustachian tube that drains the middle ear and equalizes the middle ear pressure isn\u2019t fully developed until you are 3-5 years old. Most of these ear infections can resolve on their own. Antibiotics can help shorten the duration and help with symptoms. Adults can also get ear infections if their Eustachian tubes aren\u2019t working well.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Does the Procedure Work?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A myringotomy (making an incision in the ear drum) with placement of a tube is a simple procedure that bypasses the natural Eustachian tube. This allows air pressure to equalize in the middle ear and allows any future infection to drain out. It also helps the hearing since the fluid which muffles hearing is removed at the time the tube is placed. This procedure is recommended for children with frequent ear infections or for fluid from a previous infection that doesn\u2019t clear over time. In adults, this procedure can usually be done in the office with a local anesthetic. In children, tubes are placed under anesthesia in an operating room. Having a tube in the ear can greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the number of infections as well as the symptoms from them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ear Tube Types and Removal\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are 2 main types of tubes used. Some are designed to fall out on their own after 6-24 months and the other is more permanent (usually used if multiple sets of tubes have been needed). Once the tube falls out, 95% of the time the hole in the ear drum closes up on its own. In 85% of children, one set of tubes is sufficient to allow time for the Eustachian tube to mature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you happen to get an ear infection while tubes are in place, drainage from the ear is the most common symptom. Antibiotic ear drops are the main treatment at this point. It provides a higher concentration of medicine into the ear and reduces the chance that a tube might become occluded by dried secretions. Ideally, you shouldn\u2019t need oral antibiotics if you have tubes in place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Otitis Externa (Swimmer\u2019s Ear)\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Otitis Externa is an infection of the skin of the ear canal, outside of the ear drum. There are 2 types of infections that can cause this. One is bacterial, typical swimmer\u2019s ear. Symptoms from this include drainage from the ear, external ear pain, decreased hearing, and swelling of the ear canal. If the ear canal is obstructed, it may need to be cleaned out to allow the antibiotic ear drops to get into the ear canal. If swelling has completely blocked the ear canal, a small sponge may be placed in the ear canal to prop open the canal. The sponge soaks up the drops and helps deliver them deeper into the ear. In rare cases, ear canal infections can spread and cause swelling of the face and difficulty or pain with chewing. It this case, oral antibiotics may be needed in addition to drops.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fungal Infection\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The second type of ear canal infection is fungal. Symptoms from this type are usually less severe and include drainage, muffled hearing, and ear itching. Treatment for fungal otitis externa typically requires cleaning the ear under a microscope and use an antifungal drops.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both types of Otitis Externa are more common in the summer months. You don\u2019t have to be a swimmer to get this. Bacteria and fungus love warm, dark, damp places. Any additional trauma to the ear, like using Q-tips, can cause little scratches in the skin that can allow infection to enter. To see our other ear services,\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/ear\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>click here<\/strong><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Call Midwest ENT Centre at <a href=\"tel:+16364413100\" class=\"phone \"><span class=\"phone-number\">(636) 441-3100<\/span><\/a> for more information or to schedule an appointment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection) and Tubes\u00a0 A middle ear infection is one of the most common reasons for a child to visit a doctor. Roughly 75% of all children experience at least one during their life. The underlying reason for this is that the Eustachian tube that drains the middle ear and equalizes the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":814,"parent":212,"menu_order":28,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"service_tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/213"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=213"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/213\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1538,"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/213\/revisions\/1538"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/212"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/814"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"service_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entmidwest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/service_tags?post=213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}