FAQs About Ear Infections

FAQs About Ear Infections

When you or your loved one starts experiencing pain in your ears, it can be difficult to function throughout the day or feel comfortable sleeping at night. Ear infections can make it difficult to participate in normal activities and when they happen often, they can disrupt your life and make it hard for you to feel comfortable. Your ENT doctors at Ear, Nose, & Throat Surgeons of Western New England in Springfield, Northampton, and Ware, MA, can help you understand what ear infections are, what may cause them, and how they can be treated.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ear Infections

Q. What is an ear infection?

A. An ear infection is when the middle ear has a buildup of fluid in it. This can be caused by improper draining or inflamed sinuses. Ear infections are most common in children because the tubes that drain fluid are horizontal for children. As we age, they start to become vertical and allow draining to happen more easily.

Q. What are common symptoms of an ear infection?

A. Often, you may experience pain and discomfort around the ears, sometimes accompanied by a fever. This can often happen after a cold or allergies. Young children may not be able to explain their symptoms, so you should also be aware of any irritability, inability to sleep or eat well, headache, or pulling at their ears. If you notice drainage around the ears, that could also be a sign of ear infection.

Q. How are ear infections treated?

A. Your ENT doctor in Springfield, Northampton, and Ware, MA, may recommend different options to treat ear infections. This could be to just wait it out and apply methods like icing the ears to relieve pain. If an ear infection is severe, they may prescribe antibiotics to help treat infection and relieve pressure from the ears.

Contact Your ENT Doctor Today!

Don’t hesitate to ask further questions about ear infections. Contact your ENT doctors at Ear, Nose, & Throat Surgeons of Western New England in Springfield, Northampton, and Ware, MA, to learn more about symptoms of ear infections and how they’re treated. Call for more information today at (413) 732-7426 for the office in Springfield MA, and (413) 586-2033 for the office in Northampton.