Middle ear infection, or Otitis Media, is common in people of all ages, including adults. Although the symptoms are similar, the causes differ between adults, children, and babies.
What is Otitis Media?
Otitis Media is a common infection of the middle ear, often occurring as a secondary infection following another illness.
When does Otitis Media Occur?
Otitis Media occurs when:
The eustachian or auditory tube becomes blocked.
Fluids seep into the middle ear through the eustachian or auditory tube.
Causes of Otitis Media in Adults
Here are the 7 causes or factors that can trigger otitis media in adults. There could be multiple causes involved sometimes.
Nasal infections or Cold
Blowing nose forcefully with one nostril block when you have a cold
Allergy
Extra growth of tissue in the nasopharyngeal area
Sudden altitude changes
Smoking
Nasal Infections - cold
When you have a cold or any nasal infection, infected fluids or mucus from your nose can enter your eustachian tube. If the mucus is thick, it can block the tube, creating negative pressure in middle ear infection that leads to a middle ear infection. If the mucus is thin, it can seep into the middle ear and cause an infection.
Blowing Nose Forcefully
Blowing your nose too hard, especially with one nostril blocked, can push mucus into the middle ear, leading to infection.
Chronic Sinusitis
In chronic sinusitis, mucus drains from the back of the nose, i.e., the nasopharynx. During this time, the mucus can get into the eustachian tube. When this happens, the mucus can either block the tube, creating negative pressure or even reach the middle ear, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and cause an infection.
To know more about this condition, you can check out our article
Allergy
Allergies can cause inflammation in the lining of your ears. If the allergic reaction is severe, it will fully block the eustachian tube, leading to an ear infection. Even if the tube is only partly blocked and you don’t manage your allergies, you’re at a higher risk of getting frequent middle ear infections.
Extra Growth of Tissue in the Nasopharyngeal area
If something blocks the nasopharynx, like a tumour or enlarger adenoids, it might also block the eustachian tube. This prevents air from flowing in, creating a pressure imbalance in the middle ear. Due to this, fluid can accumulate in the middle ear, providing a breeding ground for bacteria and leading to otitis media.
Sudden Altitude Changes
Activities like driving up a mountain, taking a fast elevator, diving, or flying can quickly change the air pressure around you. If your eustachian tube is partially blocked, these activities can make it harder for your ears to adjust. This can cause fluid to build up in your middle ear, leading to an ear infection.
Smoking
Smoking or being around smoke can irritate the lining of your nose, throat, and even the tube that connects your ear to your nose. This irritation can block the tube, creating a negative pressure in your middle ear.
Otitis Media Symptoms in Adults
Recognizing the symptoms of otitis media can be the first step toward effective treatment. Here are the symptoms of middle ear infection in adults:
Ear pain
A feeling of blocked or clogged ears or deafness.
Ear discharge
Fever - a rare symptom
How Symptoms Develop and Progress in Otitis Media
Ear infections often begin with a cold. As the cold progresses, during the second week, the infection can spread to the middle ear.
Initially, you may feel pain, a blocked sensation, or both in the ear, which worsens as fluid builds up. The pressure can eventually cause the eardrum to rupture, leading to pus discharge and decreased pain. This rupture lets bacteria from the outer ear enter the middle ear, worsening the infection and possibly leading to hearing loss.
As the infection intensifies, the body sends more white blood cells to the ear to combat the infection. This may damage the delicate bones in the ear, leading to further hearing impairment or even total hearing loss if the infection reaches the inner ear.
Fever is a rare but possible symptom.
Important Note:
Ear infections can spread from one part of the ear to another, causing a person to experience other symptoms. So, being safe and getting a doctor's diagnosis is always better.
Comments