(Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8613-ear-infection-otitis-media)
Ear infection or otitis media is a middle ear infection that can impact the inner ear and eardrums. In some cases, these infections can also hamper the normal functioning of the eustachian tube, which can lead to muffled hearing. Ear infections are mainly caused by bacteria and viruses that may also create a middle ear fluid.
If you’re experiencing sudden hearing loss then you must seek the guidance of the best ENT doctor in Siliguri to stop permanent damage. You must also consider the fact that children are more likely to develop these infections due to underdeveloped immune systems and the probability of catching a cold faster.
Given below are some of the common symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for ear infections.
(Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ear-infections/symptoms-causes/syc-20351616)
Symptoms
The development of symptoms of ear infection both in children and adult are extremely rapid. However, the symptoms are more serious and prolonged among the infants and children as compared to the adults. Some of the early signs that you can look for in your child include fussiness, ear pain, trouble sleeping, headache, trouble hearing, and a tugging feeling in one or both ears.
In some serious cases, the child can also suffer from a high fever of 100F or more that can be associated with balancing issues. If the infection has moved to an advanced stage then fluid drainage from the ear can also happen. Additionally, the symptoms of ear infection that adults may experience are trouble hearing, severe ear pain, and drainage of fluid.
Risk Factors
One of the major risk factors for ear infection is age since children who are between the ages of 6 months to 2 years are more prone to colds, which eventually lead to the infection. The probability of getting affected by the infection will further increase if the child is cared for in a group setting.
Visiting the best multispecialty hospital in Siliguri with an ENT facility will help in stopping the spread of it. The major risk factor for adults for an ear infection is seasonal changes, especially during the fall and winter. This infection is also common among people who suffer from seasonal allergies. Cleft palate and poor quality of the air are some of the other factors.
Treatment Options
(Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ear-infections/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351622)
Before recommending a treatment option, the doctor will first diagnose your condition through various tests. Some of the tests that can be performed include acoustic reflectometry, pneumatic otoscope, tympanometry, and tympanocentesis. Along with the test result, the age and symptoms of the patients also need to be considered before prescribing a treatment.
The most effective treatment for ear infections is antibiotic therapy, where pain medications can also be prescribed to manage the symptoms. In case of fluid build-up, the doctor may perform an ear tube surgery to drain the fluid. Additionally, chronic infections are often hard to treat but with proper administration of antibiotics, they can be cured effectively.
To prevent the chronic stage of ear infection, you must visit the nearest hospital in Siliguri for immediate diagnosis. Some of the other preventive measures that you can take are properly taking the seasonal flu vaccines, preventing common colds, and maintaining smoke-free environments.
