Ear Infections & Modern Medicine
When I first began to work in this field I covered a lot of rural areas and I saw a lot of people who had been left with devastating mid ear problems. This was a factor of access to medical care when they were children and the lack of antibiotic treatment. Don’t forget, antibiotics were really only introduced as a treatment in the forties.
In essence, many of these people suffered recurrent mid-ear infections which were left without proper treatment. It led to massive damage of their mid ear cavity and the mid-ear bones. Many had no eardrums left to speak of, some had no ossicles left and several had undergone Mastoidectomy .
Common Questions And Answers About Yeast Infection
Question: Can Yeast Infections Make You Tired?
Answer:
For healthy people, rarely, unless it was left untreated for a long time leading to complications. However, people with immunocompromised systems can experience fatigue or tiredness.
Question: Can You Get Yeast Infections From Stress?
Answer:
When our body is subjected to severe or prolonged stress, it will lead to a lowered or altered immune system, which may lead to yeast overgrowth .
There are scientific studies, though not yet proven, that there is a relationship between stress and vaginal yeast infection.
Question: Can You Die From a Yeast Infection?
Answer: No, unless in severe cases where the infection enters the bloodstream of an immunocompromised patient, which is rare.
Signs Of A Kidney Infection
What does a kidney infection feel like? According to the NIDDK, the most common kidney infections symptoms are:
But depending on a persons age, they may not experience all of these kidney infection symptoms. Children younger than two may only experience high fever as a sign of kidney infections, the NIDDK says, and people older than 65 might only present with cognitive issues, like confusion, hallucinations, and disorganized speech.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Kidney Infection
Symptoms usually develop quickly, over a few hours or so, and may include:
- Pain in a loin or flank. .
- High temperature which may cause shivers.
- Feeling sick and/or being sick .
- Blood in the urine.
- There will also usually be symptoms of a bladder infection â for example, pain on passing urine, and going to the toilet often.
Not all of the symptoms may develop, and sometimes a kidney infection can just cause vague symptoms. For example, just feeling generally unwell but not being able to say why.
In older people a kidney infection may cause confusion. This is why a urine test is often done when an elderly person suddenly becomes confused or appears generally unwell.
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Treating Middle Ear Infections
You may be prescribed antibiotics. Some antibiotics may be taken orally. Others can be applied directly to the site of the infection with ear drops. Medications for pain, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications may also be used to manage your symptoms.
If youre still experiencing cold or allergy symptoms, you may be advised to take a , nasal steroids, or an antihistamine.
Another helpful technique is called autoinsufflation. Its meant to help clear your eustachian tubes. You do this by squeezing your nose, closing your mouth, and gently exhaling. This can send air through the eustachian tubes to help drain them.
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Otitis Media Middle Ear Infection
Middle ear infections occur in the middle ear cavity behind the eardrum. Middle ear problems are very common in children and most kids will have a mid-ear infection. A large part of the problem is the eustachian tube, the eustachian tube connects the middle ear and the back of the nose and throat. It drains the middle ear of any mucous and equalises the pressure in the middle ear cavity.
The Eustachian tube is narrow and if it becomes inflamed it can close up. When the eustachian tube closes, you get both a pressure and fluid build up in the middle ear. Sometimes that fluid buildup becomes infected, that is when a simple middle ear problem can become dangerous. The symptoms of middle ear infection are:
- Pressure or fullness in the ear
- Puss or fluid draining from the ear canal
If you are suffering from symptoms similar to the ones laid out here, you really need to consider calling your GP. If you feel that you have suffered a sudden or rapid hearing loss, you should have your hearing tested as a matter of emergency. If you want to find out more, want a hearing test, or are just looking for the best hearing aids in Edinburgh, give us a call on 0131 629 1819 or contact us online now.
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How Can I Prevent Future Ear Infections
Ear infections generally come after another illness caused by viruses or bacteria. Anything you can do to keep from getting sick or boost your immune system, should also help reduce your chance of ear infections. Here are ways to keep yourself and your family healthy:
Ear infection? Were ready to help.
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How Can I Prevent My Child From Getting An Ear Infection
- Wash your childs hands and your own often to keep germs away.
- If possible, breastfeed your baby.
- Avoid bottle-feeding your baby when they are lying down. Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.
- Transition your baby from a bottle to a cup by 1 year of age.
- Dont smoke, and keep your child away from any second-hand smoke. Exposure to smoke can increase the risk of ear infections.
- Ensure your child gets the pneumococcal vaccine .
- Ensure your child gets a flu shot every year.
- If your child has had many ear infections, try reducing the use of pacifiers . Using a pacifier may increase the risk of repeated ear infections.
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Why Do Kids Get Ear Infections
Kids get ear infections more than adults do for several reasons:
- Their shorter, more horizontal eustachian tubes let bacteria and viruses find their way into the middle ear more easily. The tubes are also narrower, so more likely to get blocked.
- Their adenoids, gland-like structures at the back of the throat, are larger and can interfere with the opening of the eustachian tubes.
Other things that can put kids at risk include secondhand smoke, bottle-feeding, and being around other kids in childcare. Ear infections are more common in boys than girls.
Ear infections are not contagious, but the colds that sometimes cause them can be. Infections are common during winter weather, when many people get upper respiratory tract infections or colds .
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Otitis Media In Adults
Otitis media is another name for a middle ear infection. It means an infection behind your eardrum. This kind of ear infection can happen after any condition that keeps fluid from draining from the middle ear. These conditions include allergies, a cold, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection.
Middle ear infections are common in children, but they can also happen in adults. An ear infection in an adult may mean a more serious problem than in a child. So you may need additional tests. If you have an ear infection, you should see your healthcare provider for treatment. If they happen repeatedly, you should see an otolaryngologist or an otologist .
What are the types of middle ear infections?
Infections can affect the middle ear in several ways. They are:
Who is more likely to get a middle ear infection?
You are more likely to get an ear infection if you:
- Smoke or are around someone who smokes
- Have seasonal or year-round allergy symptoms
- Have a cold or other upper respiratory infection
What causes a middle ear infection?
The middle ear connects to the throat by a canal called the eustachian tube. This tube helps even out the pressure between the outer ear and the inner ear. A cold or allergy can irritate the tube or cause the area around it to swell. This can keep fluid from draining from the middle ear. The fluid builds up behind the eardrum. Bacteria and viruses can grow in this fluid. The bacteria and viruses cause the middle ear infection.
Are There Any Potential Complications Or Long
A severe inner ear infection can actually spread to the part of the brain that controls your dogs breathing and heart rate, although this is quite rare.
Two potential long-term complications of inner ear infection include a permanently altered sense of balance and/or persistent signs of Horners syndrome. Your dog may also become permanently deaf in the affected ear.
That said, most dogs with otitis interna respond well to medical management. Expect a two- to four-month course of oral antibiotics to prevent a relapse. The altered sense of balance that generally accompanies otitis interna is typically improved within two to six weeks. Small dogs may recover their balance more quickly than large breeds.
Contributors: Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM |
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Tanya Roberts Died From Urinary Tract Infection That Caused Sepsis
The actor Tanya Roberts died from a urinary tract infection that developed into sepsis, an outcome that is more common than realized, especially among older women, doctors say.
Roberts, 65, died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, her long-time partner, Lance OâBrien, and spokesman Mike Pingel both told NBC News on Tuesday. Roberts, best known for the 1984 James Bond film A View to a Kill and televisionâs âThat 70s Show,â had a urinary tract infection, or UTI, that spread to her kidneys and gall bladder, according to both men.
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Ear Infections What You Need To Know
We were shocked recently to read of the death of a Birmingham man from a middle ear infection. Andrew Broadhurst was a 39-year-old man from Birmingham in the United Kingdom that died from complications from Otitis Media .
Unfortunately, the infection went undiagnosed and untreated by his doctors who believed he was suffering from migraine. The infection eroded the bone at the top and back of his middle ear and entered the brain. This led to meningitis and encephalitis which finally claimed his life.
This type of situation is very rare, however, that is of no solace to the family of Andrew Broadhurst. We decided to write a quick article giving a rundown of the possible symptoms for ear infections.
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You Can Also Reduce Your Risk Through Healthy Habits And Going To Annual Checkups
Dont panic. If you have a UTI, that doesnt mean your life is immediately in danger people shouldnt, and commonly do not, die from the infection but it does need to be addressed.
Aside from treating the acute infection, pay attention to your urinary health overall. This includes going to your annual doctors appointments, like the gynecologist or your primary care provider. Examinations and urine tests taken at these checkups can show if theres something amiss.
You should also practice healthy habits at home to prevent UTIs. Experts recommend peeing after sex to flush out any potential bacteria. Make a habit of wiping from front to back after using the bathroom. Its also smart to drink plenty of water. Drinking cranberry juice may also help . If you get frequent UTIs, consider switching your birth control method or the period products you use.
Finally, talk with your doctor if anything is bothering you outside of your annual appointments. You know your body better than anyone and its important to take care of it.
How Are Ear Infections Treated
To treat an ear infection, health care providers consider many things, including:
- the type and severity of the ear infection
- how often the child has ear infections
- how long this infection has lasted
- the child’s age and any risk factors
- whether the infection affects hearing
The type of otitis affects treatment options. Not all kinds need to be treated with antibiotics. Because most ear infections can clear on their own, many doctors take a “wait-and-see” approach. Kids will get medicine for pain relief without antibiotics for a few days to see if the infection gets better.
Antibiotics aren’t routinely prescribed because they:
- won’t help an infection caused by a virus
- won’t get rid of middle ear fluid
- can cause side effects
- usually don’t relieve pain in the first 24 hours and have only a minimal effect after that
Also, overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are much harder to treat.
If a doctor does prescribe antibiotics, a 10-day course is usually recommended. Kids age 6 and older who don’t have a severe infection might take a shortened course for 5 to 7 days.
Some children, such as those with recurrent infections and those with lasting hearing loss or speech delay, may need ear tube surgery. An ear, nose, and throat doctor will surgically insert tubes that let fluid drain from the middle ear. This helps equalize the pressure in the ear.
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Can You Die From A Yeast Infection
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Graft Versus Host Disease
Graft versus host disease is a transplant side effect that some people get when they have stem cells or bone marrow from somebody else. GvHD can range from being mild to very serious. Although it is not an infection, it often causes a fever. Treatments for GvHD, such as steroids and drugs which affect your immune system, can increase your risk of getting an infection.
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Cancer and its management J Tobias and D Hochhauser Wiley-Blackwell, 2015
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How Dangerous Are Untreated Ear Infections In Adults
Itchiness or pain. Trouble hearing. Fluid leaking out of the ears. These symptoms may have been all too common when we were kids, but as an adult, the signs of an ear infection are probably something you have not felt in quite some time. While ear infectionsmiddle ear infections in particularare more common in children, they are not unheard of in adults. In this blog post we explore the risks and complications of leaving an ear infection untreated in adults.
In our last blog, we talked about the difference between middle ear infections , and outer ear infections , more commonly known as swimmers ear. Otitis media is caused by either bacteria or viruses. A common cold, the flu, or allergy symptoms that cause congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat, and eustachian tubes can sometimes lead to an infection. Anything that makes the nose stuffy has a tendency to cause swelling and blockage of the eustachian tubes. Swelling from colds or allergies can keep the eustachian tubes from opening and this leads to pressure changes and the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear. This pressure and fluid will cause pain and sometimes persistent fluid can lead to an infection.
Potential Complications
Untreated chronic ear infections can also cause tears in the eardrum. These tears will typically heal within a few days, though in more extreme cases, surgical repair might be required.
Ear Infection Treatments
Ear Infection Prevention
What Happens Once An Abscess Develops
Once an abscess has formed, you typically begin to experience swelling and intermittent, throbbing pain around the affected tooth. This is a warning sign that something is wrong. However, you will probably have dental pain in your tooth from the cavity before it progresses into an abscess.
Casestudies of serious illness or death from tooth infections often describe persistent toothaches that go on for weeks or months before seeking urgent or emergency care.
In many case studies, the toothaches were treated with antibiotics during this timeframe. However, antibiotics alone arent typically effective for treating a dental abscess. The tooth decay needs to be treated, too, either with an extraction or root canal if your tooth is salvageable.
When a dental abscess remains untreated for weeks or months, it may spread to other areas like the jaw, neck, and brain. This can cause serious symptoms like trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, and an inability to open your mouth.
At this point, if care isnt received, death can occur quickly, sometimes in a matter of days.
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What Are The Possible Complications Of Ear Infections
The common ear infection can sometimes lead to hearing problems and, rarely, serious and even life-threatening complications.
The common ear infection can sometimes lead to hearing problems and, rarely, serious and even life-threatening complications.
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Ear infections arent usually a huge cause for concern. Theyre not contagious, and in most cases they clear up on their own or with over-the-counter pain medicine and a round of antibiotics.
Theyre also very common, especially among children. In fact, at least 8 in 10 children will have one or more ear infections by their third birthday.
Complications, though rare, do occur. When they do, they can be serious.
Complications can happen at any age, but they’re much more common in children under the age of 1, says Sujana S. Chandrasekhar, MD, a partner at ENT and Allergy Associates in New York City.
We’re really aggressive when a small baby comes in with an ear infection because their preformed pathways between the brain and the ear there are a couple that are open, which makes small children more prone to complications, Dr. Chandrasekhar says. Young children we treat early and aggressively to prevent complications.
The following are some complications associated with ear infections: