Ear pain and earaches are most common in young children. Children between the ages of three months to three years are especially vulnerable. However, ear pain can occur in adults, as well. An earache may range from constant pain or pain that comes and goes, but any kind of ear pain can cause serious disruptions to your day.
A common earache may be dull, sharp, or even feel like a burning sensation. If left untreated, earaches can become more painful and result in issues such as having pressure in the head and ears or sinus problems. That’s why it’s important to know the common causes of ear pain and when to contact a doctor.
The first common cause of having earaches is an infection. However, there are different types of infections. These infections have varied symptoms that may range from simple ear pain to loss of hearing, dizziness, and more. These infections also correspond to different parts of the ear and include:
Commonly referred to as swimmer’s ear, this infection is the result of getting water in the ear from swimming or bathing, but can also occur from wearing hearing aids or headphones. Since water weakens the skin of your ear canal, it becomes the perfect scenario for bacteria to grow and prosper.
Usually, the result of infections from a respiratory tract infection, a middle ear infection causes fluid to build up behind the eardrums. This, in turn, can lead to harmful bacteria developing.
Sometimes identified as labyrinthitis, an inner ear infection is generally caused by a respiratory illness resulting in bacterial or viral infections.
Unlike other ear pain causes, infections can be long-lasting and may require a patient to seek specific treatments to relieve their ear pain.
Ears can be very sensitive and if you’re suddenly experiencing earaches, there may be a simple cause. Here are some common reasons for an earache:
All these are common reasons why you might be experiencing ear pains and they are often temporary. If the condition worsens, however, consulting your doctor is very crucial.
The most common causes of ear pains are the result of infections or temporary issues such as a buildup of pressure or allergies. However, sometimes an earache can be the result of less common reasons, which may include:
Earaches may be temporary and can vanish without any treatment. However, if your ear pain persists or worsens, then seeing an ENT doctor is recommended.
Our doctors at Glatz Group! are experienced in treating ear pains and infections. Whether you require sinus drainage, balloon sinuplasty, or something else, we’re here to help.
January is the time when most of us get started on our plans for the new year, looking forward to the sweet-smelling flowers and bright green foliage of spring! Unfortunately with that beautiful time comes allergy season.
If you’re dealing with sinus problems, choosing the right ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor can make all the difference in the world. Here at Glatz Group, our sinus doctors can provide the care and services you need to get back to feeling your best.
Below, you can learn more about some of the most common causes of seasonal allergies.
Allergies may come in many forms, from hay fever in the summer and autumn to indoor dust, mold, and pet dander year-round. However, one of the leading causes of year-round allergies is pollen:
Thankfully, there are a few simple steps that you can take to protect yourself from the sinus infections often caused by pollen.
If your allergy symptoms and sinus problems last throughout the year, you may have an allergy to something indoors. Year-round allergies, especially those suffered primarily indoors, are most common with people who are allergic to mold spores, pet dander, dust, and even cockroaches.
On the other hand, if your allergies occur primarily outside, you may be allergic to various types of grasses, trees, weeds, flowers, or certain types of mold. The best way to determine the cause of your allergies is to get an allergy test performed by an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor (ENT), also called an otolaryngologist.
In order to conduct the test, your ENT doctor will perform either a skin test or an allergen-specific blood test. After the test, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine, or in severe cases, a balloon sinuplasty, a type of sinus surgery.
Many allergies are passed down from family member to family member, making the process of narrowing down what you’re allergic to easier if it’s been previously diagnosed in a close family member.
Most springtime allergies are a result of various types of trees. In Northern America, these trees can include birch, cedar, alder, horse, chestnut, willow, and poplar.
The biggest contender for summertime allergies is actually grasses. In Northern America, these grasses include ryegrass, Timothy grass, and certain types of weeds. During the summer months, it’s also common for people to be allergic to hay, as it’s seasonally cut at this time. This gives summer seasonal allergies the nickname, “hay fever.”
Common plants that drop their pollen in the autumn months include nettles, mugworts, sorrels, fat hens, and plantains. The most common allergen in this season, however, is ragweed. Ragweed is an invasive plant that is hard to kill, and the symptoms of this allergy can be sometimes more severe than allergens in other seasons.
Outdoor allergies usually die down during the winter, as many flowering plants go dormant. However, the leaves falling from the tops of trees can harbor mold, which can trigger allergies. Most allergens in this season result from being indoors more often, including mold from poor ventilation or water damage, dust mites, and pet dander.
In order to combat these allergens, be sure to wash your clothes and bedsheets often, as well as rinse down you and your pets after being outside.
Your local sinus doctor and ENT specialists at Glatz Group can help you get relief from your sinus problems, regardless of the season. If you’re dealing with persistent symptoms, reach out to us today for a consultation and to start the process of taking control of your seasonal allergies.
Whether it’s a runny nose, a persistent cough, or a serious case of sniffles, allergies always seem to find a way to make our lives harder when the seasons change. One day you’re walking in the park and the next thing you know, you’ve entered a neverending sneeze marathon.
There’s never a convenient time to deal with seasonal allergies, but there are surprisingly effective ways to help combat those pesky symptoms whenever they pop up.
From making changes to your A/C to prioritizing hydration, there are all sorts of things that you can do to relieve your symptoms. Read on to learn more from your McAllen ENTs. If your symptoms persist or get worse, reach out to your sinus specialist for help.
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but it can be easy to forget how many elements can impact your allergies throughout your day. Stay inside on especially windy days and steer clear of any outdoor work that can start your sinuses running.
Even if you’re staying inside, be sure to close your windows completely, especially if the pollen count is high that day. You want to maintain clean air in your personal space and not leave any room for outside allergens to work their way in.
For quick congestion relief, use a gentle nasal spray to effectively clean out mucus buildup and irritants from your nasal passages. If you have thicker buildup, saline spray is a major game-changer.
If you don’t have saline or any other nasal spray on hand, take a warm shower and breathe in the steam. This will gently loosen up any stubborn debris and work to relieve persistent sinus pressure. Laying a warm compress on your face afterward will also help to open up your sinuses.
The recommendation to drink plenty of fluids when you’re feeling under the weather is a common one, but for good reason. Staying hydrated not only flushes toxins out of the body but also works to combat high histamine levels. These histamines would otherwise trigger allergy-like symptoms.
Be as consistent as you can with your water intake. Challenge yourself to drink plenty of water even after allergy season. To boost your cells’ absorption levels and overall bodily functions, load up on essential electrolytes! These can be found in store-bought drinks like Pedialyte or Gatorade.
While staying inside is beneficial to keeping allergy triggers at bay, it can come with its own side effects. From dust mites to pet dander, your indoor air can be permeated with invisible allergens. The good news is that these allergens can be dramatically reduced.
Make it a point to change out your air filters about every 90 days. This helps ensure that you have clearer air to breath. Also, be sure to take the time to clean your space from the ground up. Start with a thorough vacuum or sweep, then wipe down surfaces (especially fan blades) with a multi surface cleaner. Decluttering in general is also key to cutting out places for dust to gather.
If you’re a pro at seasonal allergies, you can probably gauge when symptoms seem off-balance. If your allergies don’t get any better or get worse, consider making an appointment with your ENT. This can help you ensure that any issues are caught before they can become more severe and harder to treat.
Your local ear, nose and throat specialists at the Glatz Group can help you get through this season by alleviating your allergy symptoms or other sinus issues. Reach out to us today for a consultation, and get one step closer to taking control of your seasonal allergies.
