Middle Ear Infections in Adults: Origin, Indications, and Remedies
Ear infections, while less common in adults compared to children, can still pose a health concern. These infections, often referred to as otitis media, can be caused by a variety of factors, as outlined below.
Common causes of ear infections in adults include bacterial or viral infections, allergies, cold and sinus infections, and exposure to environmental irritants such as tobacco smoke. Bacterial or viral infections often follow upper respiratory infections like colds, flu, or sinus infections, while allergies cause inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages and Eustachian tubes, impairing drainage and leading to fluid accumulation. Cold and sinus infections, on the other hand, obstruct the Eustachian tube and contribute to middle ear fluid buildup. Exposure to tobacco smoke irritates and inflames the respiratory tract and Eustachian tubes, increasing infection risk.
Risk factors specific to adults include exposure to secondhand smoke or active smoking, chronic health conditions like diabetes or autoimmune diseases, allergies and sinus problems causing persistent congestion, and possibly environmental water exposure affecting the ear canal.
Outer ear infections, known as otitis externa, can result from irritation or injury to the ear canal from foreign objects or water exposure. Common symptoms of outer ear infections include pain, swelling, and tender touch.
To treat ear infections, doctors may use an otoscope and a tympanometer for diagnosis, asking about a person's medical history and symptoms. Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) can help treat pain associated with ear infections. Nonprescription ear drops can help treat mild cases of swimmer's ear, a common outer ear infection.
In severe cases, a doctor may surgically insert a tube into the ear drum to connect the middle ear to the outer ear, allowing air to flow in and out, preventing fluid buildup and subsequent infections.
It is important to note that antibiotics may not be effective for certain cases of middle ear infections and are not effective against outer ear and viral infections. A doctor should be contacted if symptoms do not improve, new symptoms occur (such as a fever or loss of balance), or there is any sign of discharge from the ear.
Simple hygiene practices, such as quitting smoking, cleaning and drying ears after swimming, and refraining from cotton swab use, can help prevent many ear infections. People who smoke or are around smoke may be more likely to get middle ear infections, as well as those with chronic skin conditions, including eczema or psoriasis, who may be prone to outer ear infections.
A study found that 9.4% of older adults ages 60 and over had a middle ear infection, with swimmer's ear being the most common outer ear infection, most common in people ages 45 to 75. Ear tubes are most common for children ages 1-3 years, being the most common childhood surgery performed under anesthesia.
In conclusion, adults are at risk for ear infections when factors cause Eustachian tube dysfunction or impair immune defenses, with common causes including infections, allergies, and environmental irritants such as tobacco smoke. Maintaining good hygiene practices and seeking medical attention when necessary can help prevent and treat ear infections.
- Adults with chronic health conditions like diabetes or autoimmune diseases, such as bipolar, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, or HIV, may have a higher risk of developing ear infections due to their compromised immune systems.
- Other specific risk factors for adults include allergies and sinus problems causing persistent congestion, multiple allergies, and possibly environmental water exposure affecting the ear canal.
- People with conditions like Alzheimer's, as well as those with asthma, may face additional challenges in managing ear infections due to their complex health-and-wellness needs.
- The science of medicine has identified predictive factors that can help identify adults at higher risk of ear infections, allowing for more targeted preventive measures.
- For instance, adults with obesity might find it hard to manage ear infections due to weight-related issues affecting their respiratory system and Eustachian tubes.
- Health-conscious individuals can implement preventive measures to avoid ear infections, such as quitting smoking, cleaning ears carefully after swimming, and avoiding the use of cotton swabs.
- Adults with chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, which fall under the medical-conditions category, might be more likely to develop outer ear infections, including swimmer's ear.
- The use of comparable treatments for ear infections can vary depending on the type of infection – antibiotics might not be effective for certain middle ear infections and are not effective against outer ear and viral infections.
- People with middle or outer ear infections should consult a doctor and not self-medicate to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, particularly if there are signs of new symptoms, fever, loss of balance, or discharge from the ear.
- Medical-professionals can use tools like otoscopes and tympanometers for diagnosis and may even suggest surgically inserting tubes into the ear drum for some severe cases to prevent fluid buildup and subsequent infections.
- In general, understanding the causes and risk factors of ear infections, maintaining good health-and-wellness habits, and working with medical professionals can help adults avoid these infections and manage them effectively when they occur.
