Earaches are bacterial infections that generally cause inflammation and make fluid drainage more difficult in the ears. They often occur in athletes who continuously exercise in different environments, such as cold weather or water, and some cases can be excruciatingly painful and severely infected by a mucus buildup. Excruciating pain and severe infection could lead to a loss of hearing or eventual deafness.
Types
Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, is the inflammation, irritation or infection of the outer ear and ear canal and is fairly common among teenagers and young adults. Swimming in polluted water filled with water-loving bacteria called Pseudomonas, as well as fungi and other bacteria, can cause ear infections, according to MedlinePlus. Allergic reactions, objects or chemicals placed in the ear, or chronic skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, also can cause long-term swimmer's ear.
Otitis media is the inflammation present in the middle ear that occurs most commonly in winter and early spring. It is life-threatening since it can spread to nearby structures in the head such as the mastoid, which is responsible for the functioning of the muscles surrounding the skull. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, the condition can delay speech development and impair learning capacity.
Warning
Colds, allergies and upper respiratory infections with the presence of bacteria and viruses that accumulate fluids like pus and mucus can cause blockage in the eustachian tube, the filter that drains mucus out of and equalizes pressure in the ears. This condition, called acute otitis media, results in the build up of pressurized pus that cause redness, irritation and inflammation in the middle ear. Consult your doctor, who can perform an examination with an otoscope.
Prevention/Solution
Consider the environment you train in, the exercises you perform and the frequency of your training: Reduction and manipulation of these might prevent ear infections. Performing yoga exercises such as karnapidasana also can prove beneficial, since this inverted position helps drain blood from the lower limbs and improves blood circulation, according to Healthandyoga.com.
Your doctor might prescribe medication to help with home treatment, but a specialist might recommend a procedure called myringotomy, which involves a small surgical incision into the eardrum that allows for drainage and pain relief, and can include a ventilation tube to prevent fluid accumulation. The incision heals within a few days and the tube promotes improved hearing, according to MedlinePlus.
Considerations
Otitis media and swimmer's ear will clear up with proper medication and home treatment. MedlinePlus states that ear drops containing antibiotics are typically given to treat ear infections for 10 to 14 days; if the ear canal is swollen and painful, your doctor or nurse can show you how to apply a wick to your ear. Other treatments might include oral antibiotics, pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or vinegar ear drops.
Symptoms
Symptoms that indicate swimmer's ear include a yellow-green, foul-smelling puss from drainage, experiencing ear pain when pulling on the outer ear, hearing loss and itching of the ear or inner canal. Swimmers should consider wearing earplugs, avoid swimming in polluted water and keep ears dry after exposure from moisture. Otitis media patients feel the above in addition to experiencing irritability, fever and vomiting. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, look specifically for feelings of fullness or pressure, dizziness or a loss of balance.
