An ear ache is caused by a fluid buildup due to some infection or pressure build up in the middle ear. Swimming, bathing, allergies or even cleaning your ear with cotton bud can lead to discomfort, bacterial growth and infection in the ear.
Most common cause of the earache is due to plugged 'Eustachian' tubes (a small tube connecting the ear to the nose). If and when your Eustachian tubes become blocked possibility of bacteria buildup or infection, fluid will gather resulting in a painful earache. Increase in pressure leads to pain, hearing loss, itching and swelling elsewhere in the ear. To avoid ear aches and infections, one should keep the Eustachian tube free of pollutants and irritants and regularly clean the nasal passage.
Symptoms of ear infections:
* A sudden sharp pain or a constant dull pain.
* Unclear hearing.
* Fever of 100 degrees or higher.
* Stuffy nose.
* Sore throat.
* Fullness in the ear.
* Pus or blood from the ear.
* Nausea or diarrhea.
Try some of these home remedies for earache
Lobelia extract in water will help with relaxation.
Puncture a piece of garlic and pour the juice in the ear. Garlic being a natural antibiotic will help to take the pain away.
Put some mineral oil (oil derived from a mineral source, such as petroleum, because it is inexpensive and rarely causes allergic reactions) in your ear before going in the water. Wear earplugs while swimming and avoid swimming in dirty waters.
Warm few drops of olive oil in a spoon. Using the dropper, put 2-3 drops in each ear after the oil has cooled down. This will help relieve pain.
Excessive earwax can also cause hearing problems and aches. Put a capful of hydrogen peroxide in each ear, let it set for a minute or two, and then let it drain out. One drop of alcohol after bathing can also prevent excessive earwax.
A hot water bottle wrapped in a towel also makes a comforting pillow for an aching ear.
Press a dual-purpose first-aid gel pack that you can warm up in hot water or the microwave on your ear. It will make you feel better.
Warm up an oven-safe plate, wrap it in a towel, and rest your aching ear right on it. The plate should be warm and comforting, not hot,
Warm mineral oil may soothe a sore ear. Use a dropper to drip the oil in and gently pull the outside of the ear to make sure it goes down.
The oil of the ajwain (Bishop's weed) is excellent in earache. Take some of this oil and mix it three times of the amount with sesame oil. Warm it a little on a flame and then put this mixture of oils in the aching ear. Four drops in each ear at one time is sufficient. This is also useful home remedy for earache.
Dietary Treatments for Ear Infections and Aches
The diet taken by a patient with ear problems should be such that it does not vitiate the kapha dosha, which is responsible for them. The following dietary guidelines must be followed:-
- Sour foods must be avoided as they vitiate the kapha. These include curds and fruits that are sour in taste.
- Bananas, watermelons, oranges, papayas and cucumbers must be avoided. These foods can increase the chances of having common cold. This would aggravate the ear problem. For the same reason, all refrigerated foods must also be avoided.
How to prevent earaches:
· Refrain from putting things into your ears such as cotton swabs, bobby pins, your fingers, etc. as this can cause damage to your eardrum and increase your chances of something getting stuck in your ear/eardrum.
· When blowing your nose, do it gently and one nostril at a time.
· Avoid smoke as much as possible. Smoking and secondhand smoke can increase your risk of infection.
· When swimming, wear earplugs and refrain from swimming in dirty waters.
Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Home-Remedies-For-Ear-Infections-And-Earache/78858
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