What is an Ear Infection?

While there are different types of ear infections, the most common is called otitis media, which means an inflammation and infection of the middle ear. An ear infection starts when bacteria and viruses get inside the ear and body and cause trouble.

The ear is divided into three parts: outer, middle, and inner.

Outer Ear - When an infection starts in the outer ear, it’s called swimmer's ear.

Middle Ear - The middle ear is situated in a small pocket of air behind the eardrum. A middle ear infection starts when the area in the middle ear fills up with fluid (or pus). This pus starts to build up causing the ear to starts feeling like a balloon that is ready burst.

Inner Ear - The inner ear can be thought of as two organs: the semicircular canals which deals  with body's balance and the cochlea which acts as the body's microphone, converting sound pressure impulses from the outer ear into electrical impulses which are passed on to the brain via the auditory nerve.

What causes an ear infection?

Ear infections are more prevalent in winter. You cannot catch an ear infection from someone else, but you can catch a cold which may lead to an ear infection.

In each ear we have an eustachian tube which runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat. The eustachian tubes keep pressure from building up by letting air move in and out of your middle ear and helps drain fluid that is normally made in the middle ear. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, fluid can build up and bacteria, viruses multiply and cause an infection.

Ear infections are common in infants and children, in part because the eustachian tubes are very small, become easily clogged and less able to keep germs out. In children, ear infections are more likely to occur if a child spends a lot of time drinking from a cup or bottle while lying on his or her back.

As a child gets older the eustachian tubes get longer and usually work better, but they can still have ear infections due to blockage and a buildup of pus.

Ear infections may also occur in adults, although they are less common may happen when the eustachian tubes becomes swollen or blocked, causing more fluids to build up in the middle ear behind the eardrum.
Some of the cause of an ear infection:

• Allergies
• Colds and sinus infections
• Excess mucus and saliva produced during teething
• Tobacco smoke or other irritants
  
  

How to Prevent an Ear Infection?

Try avoiding places where people are smoking as cigarette smoke can keep your eustachian tubes from working properly.

These steps can help prevent and ear infection:

• Stay away from people who have colds
• Wash your hands regularly
• Try not to touch your nose and eyes
• Remove excess water in your ear after showering or swimming
  

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