Contents:
- Medical Video: Ears 101 : How to Relieve Sinus Pressure in the Ear
- The risk of infection of the middle ear increases if you have sinusitis
- Other factors that increase the risk of middle ear infections
Medical Video: Ears 101 : How to Relieve Sinus Pressure in the Ear
Have sinusitis? Be careful, you may experience middle ear infections because of the condition. Sinusitis is an infection that causes swollen tissue in the sinus cavity. This disease often occurs after you have a cold or cold. This sinus infection can cause nasal congestion, mucus discoloration, fever, and pain in the head, around the eyes and nose.
Without treatment, sinus disease can worsen and cause complications, one of which is middle ear infection (otitis media). So, people with sinusitis are prone to otitis media. What do you think, why?
The risk of infection of the middle ear increases if you have sinusitis
Sinus is a small air-filled cavity behind the cheekbones and forehead. When the sinuses are blocked by mucus, bacteria multiply and cause infection. This condition is called sinusitis and tends to occur when the flu or cold is severe.
Then, why can sinusitis cause otitis media? Are not the two diseases attack different organs?
The sinus cavity and the middle ear canal have tubes that are connected to each other. In the sinus cavity, the connecting tube is called a temporary ostia in the ear called the eustachian tube. Aside from being a connector, the eustachian tube functions to equalize the air pressure inside and outside the ear. You do this by opening and closing the tube according to your activities, such as when swallowing, yawning, or talking.
But when sinusitis occurs, excessive mucus builds up in the middle ear canal. As a result, the bacteria that causes sinuses will spread to the eustachian tube and cause infection.
When bacteria begin to infect, the middle ear canal swells and fluid builds up. At this stage the symptoms of otitis media will appear.
Symptoms of otitis media vary in children and adults. Children tend to be fussy, lose appetite, complain of pain in the ear or often touch or scratch their ears, and are not responsive to sound.
While symptoms in adults usually include ear pain, mucous discharge from the ears, and hearing difficulties. Immediately check with your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Other factors that increase the risk of middle ear infections
In addition to having sinusitis, there are several factors that increase the risk of eustachian tube blockage and ear infections, such as:
Age
Infants and toddlers between 6 months or 2 years tend to be more prone to ear infections because the immune system is still not perfect. In addition, the child's eustachian tube is also shorter than that of adults, making it more easily filled with mucus and clogging.
Have other health problems
You who have a weak immune system and allergies are more prone to ear infections. This is caused by inflammation so that the body becomes more susceptible to the same disease repeatedly with more severe symptoms.
Disorders and abnormalities in the structure of the ear
Children born with weak palatal muscles on the face or abnormal middle ear canal structure can increase the risk of blocking the eustachian tube. Diseases such as nasal polyps or adenoids can also change the size of the ears, nose and throat, making it easier for mucus to clog in the middle ear canal.
Descent
Someone who has a family member with otitis media can also increase the risk of getting this disease. Even though, it will not be affected by this disease in the future.
