22 years
My ears have been hurting me for over a month now. Should I try an ear drop or see a doctor first?
Aug 6, 2014
Bilateral ear pain (otalgia - "ot" for ears, "algia" for pain) can result from problems in the ear itself or neighboring structures, or from structures remote to the ear, in which case it's a referred type of pain.
Ear pain can be due to infection of the outer ear (otitis externa, common with swimming, thick discharge on the outer part us seen), otitis media (inflammation or infection of the tympanic membrane - the eardrum, but this is highly unlikely in the scenario of bilateral pain), mastoiditis (infection of the bone behind the ear), rhinosinusitis (in which case the congested nose and sinuses compress the eustachian tubes - which are curved tubes that drain the ears- thus preventing them from draining the ears and causing fluid to accumulate behind the ear drums ; thisis aassociated with a sensation of ear fullness and decreased hearing), damage to the nerves (loud noise causes this. You also get tinnitus), otitis interna (inner ear inflammation or infection, associated with vertigo, dizziness, headache).
Neighboring structures that may induce ear pain incase of disease include the temporo-mandibular joint and the salivary glands.
In order to determine the source of the pain you need to be evaluated by a physician. Don't initiate any treatment haphazardly.
Ear pain can be due to infection of the outer ear (otitis externa, common with swimming, thick discharge on the outer part us seen), otitis media (inflammation or infection of the tympanic membrane - the eardrum, but this is highly unlikely in the scenario of bilateral pain), mastoiditis (infection of the bone behind the ear), rhinosinusitis (in which case the congested nose and sinuses compress the eustachian tubes - which are curved tubes that drain the ears- thus preventing them from draining the ears and causing fluid to accumulate behind the ear drums ; thisis aassociated with a sensation of ear fullness and decreased hearing), damage to the nerves (loud noise causes this. You also get tinnitus), otitis interna (inner ear inflammation or infection, associated with vertigo, dizziness, headache).
Neighboring structures that may induce ear pain incase of disease include the temporo-mandibular joint and the salivary glands.
In order to determine the source of the pain you need to be evaluated by a physician. Don't initiate any treatment haphazardly.
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