Contents:
- Medical Video: The Difference Between Outer and Middle Ear Infections
- How often do adults get ear infections?
- What types of ear infections often occur in adults?
- Adult causes get middle ear ear infections
- Then, are the symptoms of ear infections in adults the same as children?
- What should I do if I get an ear infection?
- How to prevent ear infections?
Medical Video: The Difference Between Outer and Middle Ear Infections
Do you think that after you enter adulthood you will be free of ear infections? Wait a minute, it turns out that adults get ear infections that can occur even though the incidence is not as frequent as ear infections in children. Adults also need to be careful in maintaining the condition of their ears.
How often do adults get ear infections?
Compared to children, adults tend to have less ear infections because of anatomical differences in the shape and size of the eustachian duct, the channel connected from the middle ear to the back of the throat.
However, adults may still experience infection. Less than 20 percent of cases of ear infections occur in adults. There are several types of adults who have a high risk of ear infections namely smokers, people who are always around active smokers, and people who have allergies.
What types of ear infections often occur in adults?
Ear infections that usually occur in adults are middle ear infections (otitis media). Although there are also other diseases such as external ear infections (otitis externa or so-called swimmer's ears), middle ear infections are the most frequent.
Otitis media or middle ear infections occur in the back of the eardrum. This infection can occur in several ways, namely:
- Acute otitis media. This infection occurs suddenly which causes swelling and redness. Fluids and mucus become trapped in the ear so that adults who experience this type of infection experience fever and earache.
- Otitis effusion media (OME) is inflammation of the middle ear with the collection of fluid in the middle ear cavity. The ears feel full. This can occur for months and can affect hearing if left untreated.
- OME chronic is a condition in which fluid stays in the middle ear for a long time or disappears even if there is no infection. This type of middle ear infection is the most difficult to treat compared to the other two types. This infection may also affect hearing.
Adult causes get middle ear ear infections
This condition is related to eustachian channels. The middle ear is connected to the throat by a channel called the eustachius. This channel helps control the pressure of the outer, middle and inner ears. Some conditions such as cold or allergic temperatures can cause this canal irritation so that the surrounding area swells. So, the fluid that forms behind the eardrum gets trapped and can't flow.
In the end, bacteria and viruses can grow in this accumulating fluid. Bacteria and viruses will then cause infection in the middle ear.
There are also several factors that increase the risk of problems in the eustachian tract, namely:
- The presence of allergic rhinitis
- There is an upper respiratory tract infection
- Disorders of the ear, nose or throat
- The occurrence of swelling of the structure of the ear, nose, or throat like the thyroid gland
- Experiencing craniofacial disorders such as bones in the head or face that make muscle weakness
- The immune system is weakened
Then, are the symptoms of ear infections in adults the same as children?
Children usually experience symptoms of ear pain, hearing loss or difficulty hearing, and sore throats when experiencing ear infections. Unlike children, the symptoms commonly experienced by adults are more often experienced:
- Fever
- Feeling there is full pressure in the ear
- Vertigo
- Headache
- Cough
- Rhinitis
What should I do if I get an ear infection?
Usually the doctor will give antibiotics, given by mouth or ear drops. In addition, painkillers are also given. If you still experience cold or allergic symptoms, you may be advised to take decongestants, nasal steroids or antihistamines.
To help regulate air pressure in the ear, you can do this by closing or pinching your nose, closing your mouth and gently exhaling. This will send air to the eustachian tube to help drain the accumulated fluid.
Middle ear infections can be very disturbing and worrying, but this condition can be treated if treated properly and quickly.
This middle ear infection can also cause long-term problems if left untreated, such as infections in the other head, permanent hearing loss or nerve palsy on the face if it is really badly not treated.
How to prevent ear infections?
Keep your ears clean and in dry conditions, after your ears are wet from bathing, or swimming and other activities, dry them completely so that the ears are not damp. Moist conditions will trigger the growth of microorganisms in the ear.
Also avoid swimming in contaminated water because it becomes a nest of bacteria that will enter the ear. Wash hands before cleaning ears. Use a clean tool when cleaning your ears, don't just insert any sticks or objects into your ears.
