Basics about Ear Infection and Sinus Infection

Many people cannot identify if they are suffering from sinus infections or ear infections in the beginning. The reason is that the symptoms are almost similar. In both situations, you may experience pain in the neck and head area and you may also get a fever in response. Therefore, it is necessary that you have to know which infection you are suffering from. Only then, you can get the right treatment to ease your symptoms.

Consequently, whenever you notice such symptoms, do not waste your time by assuming the problem. You should visit the ENT specialist as soon as possible to find out the real problem.

Ear Infection

You may experience sudden ear pain and hearing loss due to the infection. The problem can be acute or chronic. If you are suffering from chronic ear pain, then your inner and middle ear can be damaged permanently. There are various symptoms of ear infection such as discomfort inside your ear, fluid in the middle ear and pressure inside the ear.

How to Treat the Infection?

First, you can try some home remedies to reduce the pain. But if it does not go well, then you should contact an ENT specialist. The expert may give medications or antibiotics to reduce the symptoms if you are suffering from mild to moderate infection. But if the problem is severe, then the doctor may lance the eardrum to let the infection drain out.

Sinus Infection

It is also known as rhinosinusitis and if your nasal cavities become inflamed, swollen, then the infection occurs. As the fluid builds up in the sinuses, therefore, it causes germs growth. There are various types of sinus infections including subacute sinusitis, acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis and recurrent acute sinusitis. You may experience tiredness, fever, postnasal drip, halitosis, nasal discharge, cough and facial pressure. Whenever you experience these symptoms, you should go to the sinus specialist immediately to ease the symptoms.

How to Treat?

If your symptoms do not get reduced after five to seven days, then the sinus specialist may recommend antibiotics along with nasal sprays, nasal decongestant and saline solution. Generally, they prescribe antibiotics if you suffer from infections for more than 10 days.

Visit Your Doctor

There is another possibility that you may suffer from both sinus and ear infections at the same time. Therefore, you should visit the doctor as soon as possible. In this case, you can also contact Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, LLC in Norman, OK.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of the patient-doctor relationship.