Treatment Options for Sinus and Middle Ear Infections: Antibiotics and Pain Relief Medications

Ear infections can really disrupt your day with all that pain and irritation they bring. And if you're someone dealing with sinus problems, you might find yourself more susceptible to these ear infections. Understanding how these two conditions are closely linked is the key to finding the right treatment. Today we will discuss the connection between sinus and middle ear infection and find various ways to treat them before they go into a serious infection.

What is the link between sinus and ear infections?

The tube which connects the middle ear and the back throat is known as the eustachian tube. When a person gets a sinus infection (inflammation of the sinus), it can block the tube, which leads to the formation of fluid in the middle ear and can cause infection. It can cause serious life-threatening complications like meningitis or brain abscess if not treated properly.

What are the Symptoms of a sinus induced middle ear infection?

Patients may experience the following symptoms during the middle ear infection which are given below:

1. Ear pain: Patients may experience severe pain or irritation due to the infection.
2. Fullness in the ear: Individuals may experience a feeling of blockage or clogged ear.
3. Lethargy: Patients may experience a lack of energy or feeling sleepy.
4. Vomiting: Individuals may experience a forced throw of stomach content through their mouth.
5. Diarrhea: Patients may experience a loss or watery stool during excretion.
6. Hearing loss: Individuals may experience a loss of hearing ability during the infection.
7. Fluid discharge: Individuals may experience a discharge of fluid or pus from the infected ear.

Treatment Options For Sinus And Middle Ear Infection

1. Medication: 

Your doctor may prescribe you an antibacterial medication like Amoxycillin & Clavulanic Acid (Augmentin 625mg DUO Tablet) to treat the infection caused by the bacteria in the ears. Mostly, antibiotics are prescribed often to kids who are under the age of 2 years, have had a fever, are feeling sick, or have symptoms that do not improve even after one or two days. 

2. Surgery: 

Surgery is an option which is not recommended for everyone who has an ear infection. Your doctor may suggest a myringotomy procedure to drain the fluid which was clogged in the tube. Surgery is prescribed to children who have an infection of more than three or four times for a period of three months.

3. Pain reliever: 

Your doctor may also prescribe pain relieving medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage the pain caused by the ear infection.

Other approach:

If you have an ear infection,

• A warm cloth or bottle should be applied to the affected area.
• You can gargle salt water to relieve the cough or cold caused by the infection.
• It is recommended that you change your sleeping position to a non-infected site to avoid the pain caused by the pressure.
• Drinking plenty of water and getting enough rest along with medication can also help alleviate the symptoms of ear infection.

When to call a doctor?

Inform your doctor immediately if you have swelling behind the ear, a high fever or severe pain, a severe headache, or dizziness during the infection. Individuals should inform the doctor if they have any sudden changes in the pain, which may indicate the rupture of the eardrum.

Prevention measures for sinus and Middle ear infection

Here are some of the ways to prevent sinus and middle ear infections in individuals:

• It is recommended that children wash their hands and maintain strict personal hygiene to prevent the chancer from getting cold.
• It is recommended to avoid bottle feeding the baby while they are lying down.
• It is advisable to avoid or minimize the habit of smoking.
• Getting your child vaccinated against pneumococcal infection can help to prevent infection.

Endnotes!

Sinus and middle ear infections can be prevented and treated if the child or individuals are identified in their early stages. Treating the child with the proper medication is crucial to prevent the risk of ear damage during the infection. Always take your child immediately if you find that the home remedies or the prescribed medicine can't help alleviate the symptoms of a middle ear infection.