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Childrens Health
> Earaches
Ear Aches or ‘Otitis Media’ means inflammation of
the middle ear. Ear aches and inflammation are often
the result of an ear infection and infections can
occur in one, or both ears. Ear Aches are so common
that Otitis media is the most frequent diagnosis
recorded for children who visit physicians for
illness. It is also one of the most common causes of
hearing loss in children.
Ear infections are serious because of the severe
earache and hearing loss it can create. Hearing loss
in children can severely impact a children’s
learning capacity and may even delay speech
development. Ear Aches should be treated early on,
because the infection can spread to nearby
structures in the head especially the mastoid
(structure of your skull). It is very important for
you as a parent to recognize the symptoms of ear
aches and get immediate attention from your doctor.
Signs and symptoms for infants and toddlers include
pulling or scratching at the ear especially if
accompanied by: hearing problems
crying/irritability, fever, vomiting and ear
drainage.
In young children, adolescents and adults look for
feeling of fullness or pressure, hearing problems,
earache, hearing problems, dizziness/loss of
balance, nausea/vomiting and ear drainage.
At the doctor’s office, he/she will do an
examination using an instrument called an otoscope
to assess the ear’s condition. The doctor will check
for redness in the ear and/or fluid behind the
eardrum. With the gentle use of air pressure, the
doctor will see if the eardrum moves. If the eardrum
is red and doesn’t move, an ear infection is
probably present.
After the examination, the doctor will prescribe one
or more medications. It is important to note that
all the medications should be taken as directed and
that any-follow up visits be kept. Antibiotics are
the key to fighting of ear infections. Often, once
you begin the treatment the earache will go away
rapidly but the infection will take time to clear
up.
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