Reoccurring Ear Infections

It is not unusual to experience the occasional ear infection; they can be common in children. However, when ear infections occur frequently, they can result in damage to the middle ear, the space beyond the ear drum, which is connected to the back of the nose. Ear infections usually occur in this area of the ear.

About

• The structure of your ear is much more complex than what you can see from the outside. The opening leads back into your head where the "middle ear" forms a hollow spot behind the back of your nose. The middle ear is a moist and warm area made of the same kind of mucus membrane as the inside of your mouth and nose. Your middle ear is protected from the outside by the ear drum. When the middle ear cannot drain properly, it can become infected.

Causes

• An ear infection is usually caused by some kind of blockage that prevents the middle ear from draining. A thin tube called the eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat and allows natural fluids formed in the ear to drain. If bacteria and viruses that may be present in the middle ear are not properly evacuated, they can rapidly reproduce in the ear, causing an infection. Chronic ear infections occur when the infection does not go away.

Risk Factors

• Ear infections usually occur in children because the Eustachian tube is very thin and not completely developed, so it can become blocked easily. Ear infections themselves are not contagious, but they can occur as a complication of other contagious illnesses like colds and the flu. Other factors, such as abrupt changes in altitude or climate while traveling, could contribute to a blockage. Children attending daycare and in other settings where they are in contact with many children are more at risk for getting sick.

Complications

• Recurring ear infections can cause damage to the ear. They can lead to bone infections, cysts, scar tissue and damage to the ear drum. These problems lead to physical changes to the anatomy of the ear, possibly making the child even more susceptible to ear infections.

Symptoms

• The general symptoms to look for in a child or infant are general fussiness, fever and sometimes pus. Older children and adults might suffer from more severe symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and hearing loss.

Diagnosis

• You can check for fluid in your child's middle ear at home with a special ear monitor called EarCheck, which can be bought at pharmacies. However, only a doctor can correctly diagnose an ear infection. Many times, an ear infection can be diagnosed from an examination. The pediatrician can look in the child's ear with an otoscope and search for signs such as redness, swelling, perforation of the eardrum and fluid or pus.

Treatment

• An ear infection may clear up on its own by giving the body rest and plenty of fluids. The pain can be managed with heat compresses, over-the-counter pain relievers and ear drops. Children with a fever higher than 102 degrees should see a doctor. The doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics, depending on the age of the child and whether the infection is caused by bacteria or a virus. Doctors may recommend surgery for children with chronic ear infections. The most common method is to insert tubes in the ear drums, which help with draining.