Earaches

Ear aches can be mild or very painful. The most common cause of an ear ache is plugged Eustachian tubes. These tubes go from the back of your throat to your middle ear. When the Eustachian tube gets blocked, fluid gathers, causing pain. Things that make this happen are the infection in the middle ear, colds, sinus infections and allergies. Other things that can cause ear pain include changes in air pressure in a plane, something stuck in the ear, too much earwax, tooth problems and ear injuries.

Very bad ear pain should be treated by a doctor. Treatment will depend on its cause. You can however use self care tips if pain is mild and produces no other symptoms.

PREVENTION

Much can be done to prevent earaches. Heed the old saying, “never put anything smaller than you elbow into your ear.” This include cotton tipped swabs, bobby pins, your fingers etc. doing so could damage your eardrum. When you blow your nose, do so gently, one nostril at a time. Don’t smoke. Smoking and second hand smoking can increase the risk of blocking of Eustachian tube.

SELF CARE TIPS

TO REDUCE PAIN-
• Place a warm cloth or heating pad next to the ear. Some health professionals recommend putting an ice bag or ice in a wet washcloth over the painful ear for 20 minutes.
• Take an over the counter pain reliever.
TO OPEN UP THE EUSTACHIAN TUBES AND HELP THEM DRAIN-
• Sit up.
• Prop your head up when you sleep.
• Yawn. This helps move the muscles that open the tubes.
• Chew gum or suck on hard candy. This tip is especially helpful during pressure changes that can take place during air travel but can also be useful during the middle of the night if you wake up with ear pain.
• Stay awake during take off and landings when traveling by air.
• Take a decongestant which can dry up the fluid in the ear that causes pain. But don’t use a nasal spray for more than 3 days unless directed by doctor.
• Take a decongestant at the first sign of the cold if you have got ear infections often after previous colds; one hour before you land when you travel by air if you have a cold or know your sinuses are going to block up.
• Take a steamy shower.
• Use a cool mist vaporizer especially at night.
• Drink plenty of cool water.
• Gently but firmly blow your nose holding your both nostrils closed until you hear a pop. This will help promote ear drainage. This can be done several times a day.
• Feed a baby its bottle in an upright position, not lying down.

FOR AN INSECT IN THE EAR-

• Shine a flashlight into the ear. Doing this may cause the insect to come out.