As an adult with ear infections, is it possible?

Do you think that once you enter adulthood you will be free of ear infections? Wait a minute, it turns out that adults get ear infections that can happen even though the incidence is not as frequent as ear infections in children. Adults also need to be careful in maintaining the condition of their ears.

How often do adults get ear infections?

Adults are less likely than children to have ear infections due to anatomical differences in the shape and size of the eustachian tube, which is the tube that connects from the middle ear to the back of the throat.

However, adults may still have an infection. Less than 20 percent of ear infections occur in adults. There are several types of adults who have a high risk of developing ear infections, namely smokers, people who are always around active smokers, and people who have allergies.

What types of ear infections often occur in adults?

Ear infections that usually occur in adults are middle ear infections (otitis media). Although there are also other diseases such as external ear infection (otitis externa or called swimmer's ear), middle ear infection is the most common.

Otitis media or middle ear infection occurs at the back of the eardrum. This infection can occur in several ways, namely:

• Acute otitis media. This infection occurs suddenly causing swelling and redness. Fluid and mucus become trapped in the ear so that usually adults with this type of infection experience fever and earaches.
• Effusion otitis media (OME) is inflammation in the middle ear due to a collection of fluid in the middle ear cavity. Ears feel full. This can happen for months and can affect hearing if left untreated.
• Chronic OME is a condition in which fluid remains in the middle ear for a long time or comes on and off even though there is no infection. This type of middle ear infection is the most difficult to treat compared to the other two types. This infection may also affect hearing.

Causes adults to develop middle ear infections

This condition is associated with the eustachian tube. The middle ear is connected to the throat by a tube called the eustachius. This channel helps control the pressure of the outer, middle, and inner ear. Some conditions such as cold temperatures or allergies can cause these ducts to become irritated, causing the surrounding area to swell. So, the fluid that builds up behind the eardrum will get trapped and can't drain.

Eventually, bacteria and viruses can grow in this accumulated fluid. Bacteria and viruses will then cause an infection in the middle ear.

There are also several factors that increase the risk of problems in the eustachian tube, namely:

• The presence of allergic rhinitis
• The presence of an upper respiratory tract infection
• There is a disease in the ear, nose, or throat
• Swelling of the ear, nose, or throat structures such as adenoids
• Experiencing craniofacial disorders, namely the bones in the head or face that cause muscle weakness
• Weakened immune system

Then, are the symptoms of ear infection in adults the same as in children?

Children usually experience earaches, hearing loss or hearing difficulties, and sore throats when they have an ear infection. In contrast to children, the symptoms commonly experienced by adults are more often:

• Fever
• Feeling that there is full pressure in the ear
• Vertigo
• Headache
• Cough
• Rhinitis

What to do if you have an ear infection?

Usually the doctor will give antibiotics, given by mouth or ear drops. In addition, pain relievers are also given. If you are still experiencing cold or allergy symptoms, you may be advised to take a decongestant, nasal steroid or antihistamine.

To help regulate the air pressure in your ears, you can do this by closing or pinching your nose, closing your mouth and gently exhaling. This sends air into the eustachian tubes to help drain the build-up fluid.

Middle ear infections can be very disturbing and worrying, but they can be treated if treated promptly and promptly.

This middle ear infection can also cause long-term problems if left untreated, such as an infection in another part of the head, permanent hearing loss or paralysis of the nerve in the face if it is really severe that it is not treated.

How to prevent ear infections?

Keep your ears clean and dry, after getting wet from bathing or swimming and other activities, dry them completely so that the ear conditions are not damp. Humid conditions will trigger the growth of microorganisms in the ear.

Also avoid swimming in contaminated water because it becomes a nest of bacteria that will enter the ear. Wash hands before cleaning ears. Use a clean tool when cleaning the ears, do not just insert a stick or any object into the ear.