Ear pain is commonly caused by ear infections or fluid buildup in the Eustachian tubes. Injury to the ear or tooth and jaw pain can also cause ear pain. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, while viral infections heal on their own. Neck tension or infected teeth can also cause ear pain.
The most common cause of ear pain is an ear infection or a buildup of fluid in the Eustachian tubes, which can also lead to an ear infection. This cause of ear pain can be treated with antibiotics and is more common in children, but it can occur in people of any age. An actual injury to the ear can cause pain, which can occur in the inner or outer ear; this is one of the reasons doctors advise never to insert anything in the ears, because it is possible to rupture the eardrum. Sometimes, tooth or jaw pain can spread and cause ear pain as well.
Ear infections, a common cause of ear pain, can be bacterial or viral in origin and often cause a fever as well. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, while viral infections take time to heal on their own. The most common middle ear infections in children often occur because the Eustachian tubes become blocked and don’t always respond well to antibiotics. Children often experience recurring ear infections and may eventually require surgery or fluid drainage to help treat the infections. However, anyone can get ear infections, which is why it’s important to keep all objects out of the ears and to make sure they don’t become clogged with water, such as when swimming.
Another common cause of ear pain is actual injury to the ear. Sticking objects into the ear can cause damage or rupture of the eardrum, but it’s also possible to injure the outer ear in a myriad of ways. Piercings that don’t heal properly or become infected, for example, can be quite painful. Sleeping on your ear in an uncomfortable position can also cause pain the next day, although it is usually short-lived.
Problems with the rest of the head and neck can also cause ear pain. Muscle tension or stiffness in the neck often causes pain to migrate to the face and into the ear. Also, an infected tooth or jaw problem, such as TMJ, often causes corresponding pain in the ear. If so, you will need to treat the source of the pain to relieve your ear pain. Some people experience ear pain when flying on planes, but find that chewing gum or yawning can help relieve pressure buildup in the inner ear and prevent pain.
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