The mastoid is part of the temporal skull bone which is located behind the ear. Hollow pockets within the mastoid are referred to as the mastoid sinus which connect to the inner ear and eustachian tube. Bacteria related to otitis media, influenza, pneumonia, strep and staph can infect the ear. Infection can spread from the inner ear to the mastoid sinus to infect bone, nerves and the brain. Symptoms include headache, fever, tenderness, redness, pain, pressure, impaired hearing, facial paralysis, fluid drainage externally from the ear, neck pain and dizziness. Mastoiditis is associated with chronic and acute ear infections. Untreated mastoiditis can be fatal. Headache pain above the ear in the temporal area after exercise may be a symptom of mastoiditis.
Exercise and Mastoid Sinus Headache
A study conducted at Erasme University Hospital in Belgium, published in the journal Physical Therapy in December 1997, tested the effects of exercise on intracranial pressure on patients. An increase in intracranial pressure was observed when the participants did lower body exercises lying on their backs. Headache after exercise was reported in eight out of 15 participants. Mastoiditis can increase intracranial pressure and combined with exercises may cause headache.
Mastoid Pain From Exercise and Diagnosis
Consult your physician if you experience chronic headache pain associated with exercise. Seek immediate medical attention should you notice sudden changes in your balance, hearing, sight or mental state. A CT scan or MRI is required to confirm a diagnosis of mastoiditis. Appropriate antibiotics specific to the bacteria must be prescribed to treat infection. Untreated infections may cause hearing loss, internal and external abscesses or brain damage.
Reduce the Risk of Infection When You Exercise
Take precautions when exercising at the public gym. Use antibacterial solutions on the equipment before you workout. Wear athletic gloves when using free weights. Wash gym attire in soap and hot water. Do not leave clothes in your gym bag for extended periods of time. Use a bathing cap in public pools and beaches. Avoid the gym if you have been ill or are recovering from illness, to reduce the risk you may infect others or become reinfected.
Individuals Most at Risk
Immunocompromised individuals such as diabetics, cancer patients and those recovering from surgery are more susceptible to bacterial infections which can cause mastoiditis. Susceptible individuals should take extra precautions when exercising in public facilities. Fungal mastoiditis is rare in healthy individuals but can cause serious complications for individuals with impaired immune function. Community acquired MRSA can be fatal in immune suppressed individuals. Mastoiditis resulting from MRSA can produce serious side effects such as destruction of the inner ear structure, skull bones and vocal cords.
References
- "Physical Therapy"; Effects of Positioning and Exercise on Intracranial Pressure in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit; Serge Brimioulle et. al.; December 1997
- "European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology"; Fungal mastoiditis in an immunocompetent adult; Masafumi Ohki, K. and Shin-ichi Ishimoto; March 2001
- "Practica Otologica (Kyoto)"; A Case of Acute Mastoiditis with Associated Laryngeal Paralysis; Komori Masahiro et. Al.; November 2002
