Should You Have Your Tonsils Removed
These days, its not as common for tonsils to be removed. Removal will only be considered if there are frequent bouts of pustular tonsillitis that require antibioticssay, five or more attacks in one year, says Dr. Morrison, especially if the infections dont get better with treatment or theyre getting in the way of daily activities. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, who will ultimately make the final decision regarding surgery.
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What Are The Potential Causes
Experiencing a sore throat and ear pain together could be caused by a number of conditions. They are as follows:
- Tonsillitis: This is an inflammation of the tonsils, and is more common in children but can happen at any age. It is caused by bacteria or viruses, and can also come with pain when swallowing, swollen lymph nodes and fever.;
- Allergies: Allergies are caused by pollen and dust that cause an inflammation of mucus membranes. Sneezing and nasal congestion may also be present.;
- Acid reflux: This is a common condition that occurs when the stomach acid or contents of your stomach back up into your esophagus. You may find that your symptoms worsen when lying down or after a heavy meal. Heartburn is the most common symptom. You may also get indigestion and a lump in your throat.;
- Mononucleosis: Sometimes called mono, this is an infectious disease caused by a virus. The symptoms can last for several weeks and can be severe. People in their teens and early 20s usually experience the symptoms, but it can happen to anybody. Fatigue, muscle aches and weakness and ear fullness are usually accompanying symptoms.;
- Strep throat: This is a contagious infection that is caused by a group of bacteria. This can be quite painful and comes on very quickly. You may also notice tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth and have a fever.
Sore Throat And Ear Pain When To See A Doctor
Most sore throats are caused by common and benign sources that resolve on their own in about a week. But in rare cases, it might be a sign of something more serious or a chronic condition. Seek medical treatment if your symptoms persist for more than a few days or if you have any of the following symptoms:
- high fever
- signs of an allergic reaction
- persistent headache, facial pain, or muscle soreness
If you have throat pain on one side, a sore throat, or ear pain that doesnt go away after a few days, your doctor will evaluate it to determine the cause. The physician may prescribe you antibiotic, suggest OTC medications, or refer you to another specialist such as an ENT, an allergy specialist, a dentist, or a TMJ specialist.
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What About Herbal Remedies
If your earache is caused by seasonal allergies, then treating the underlying problem is most likely to bring you effective relief for this and other symptoms. Pollinosan Allergy Relief Tablets;are made to an original A.Vogel recipe and combine several herbs to target the effects of the bodys abnormal reaction to seasonal allergies.
If you are looking for a herbal remedy specifically to target earache, then Plantago is often found to be effective. It is thought to reduce inflammation of membranes in the upper respiratory tract, and also to contain naturally occurring antibiotics. It is for this reason that it is often found to be effective in the treatment of ear problems.
Tips To Prevent Sinus Infections
In order to avoid ear pain and temporary hearing loss due to clogged ears as a result of sinus infections one must prevent sinus infections. Here are some tips to help you prevent sinus infections and avoid the complications associated with it.
- Control your allergies.
- Take a nasal spray or decongestant prior to flying.
- Dont smoke, which can aggravate sinusitis, or quit smoking.
These tips can better help protect you against sinus infections. If you do develop a sinus infection, begin treatment right away to reduce complications.
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Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University . He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine , and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
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Are There Conventional Medicines To Help Me
Initially, a doctor or pharmacist is likely to recommend anti-histamines to help to ease all symptoms of seasonal allergies and a nasal decongestant to help clear the Eustachian tubes. However, if your earache persists, they may check for signs of infection. If this is the case, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or drops.
There Are 4 Types Of Sinuses Which Are All Found In Pairs With One On Each Side Of The Face
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What Causes A Sore Throat
Infections by contagious viruses or bacteria are the source of most sore throats. Other potential causes include:
VirusesSore throats often accompany viral infections, including the flu, colds, measles, chicken pox, croup, or mononucleosis . Mono has the longest duration of symptoms, such as sore throat and extreme fatigue, and can last several weeks. Other symptoms include swollen glands in the neck, armpits, and groin; fever, chills, headache, or sometimes, serious breathing difficulties.
Bacterial infectionsStrep throat is an infection caused by Streptococcus bacteria. This infection can also cause scarlet fever, tonsillitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and ear infections. Symptoms of strep throat often include fever , white draining patches on the throat, and swollen or tender lymph glands in the neck. Children may have a headache and stomach pain.
Pertussis, also known as;whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. This infection can bring about violent, uncontrollable coughing, making it hard to breathe and causing you to make a whooping sound. Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but can be especially serious, even deadly, for babies less than one-year-old.
AllergiesYou may also be allergic to pollens, molds, animal dander, and/or house dust, for examples, which can lead to a sore throat.
When To Contact Your Health Care Provider
If your symptoms dont improve, or you feel worse, you should contact your health care provider. The American Academy of Otolaryngology2 recommends alerting your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or opening your mouth
- Swelling of the neck or face
- Earache
- A fever of 101°F or higher
- Lumps in the throat or neck
If you have allergies that lead to a sore throat, treating them with OTC medication or natural remedies may provide you with relief from pain and discomfort. But if your symptoms worsen, contact your health care provider to rule out a more serious health concern.
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How To Know If You Have An Ear Infection
An ear infection can occur out of nowhere, with no underlying cause, and is typically very painful.
Its common for an ear infection to be accompanied by a cold, the flu, allergy flare-ups or a sinus infection.
If youve developed an ear infection, you may also experience pain in the ear, fluid in the ear, swelling and the feeling that there is pressure in your ear.
Other common symptoms of an ear infection for adults include pain in the ear, difficulty hearing, drainage of fluid from the ear and a low-grade fever.
Most ear infections are a result of bacterial or viral infections in the middle ear, which are more likely to occur in children than adults.
In fact, around half of all infants will deal with a middle ear infection before they turn one year old.
Childrens symptoms will also differ from those of an adult, with a middle ear infection causing loss of appetite, loss of balance, a decrease in sleep, headaches, irritability and crying, a fever, ear pain, drainage of fluid from the ear and tugging at the ear thats infected.
A Tooth Infection Or Abscess
This is a pocket of pus at the tip of the tooths root. It is caused by a bacterial infection and can cause severe pain that radiates from your ear and jaw on the same side. You may also find that your neck or throat becomes swollen and tender, and that you have trouble chewing. You may even experience a fever in severe cases.;
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Strep Throat Is Lurking
Though its not as common in adults, strep throat is a bacterial infection that can cause swollen tonsils and inflammation, says Dr. Zalvan. Besides difficulty swallowing, you might also experience bad breath and have trouble opening your mouth.
Left untreated, bacterial tonsillitis can lead to a more complicated infection that causes pus to collect around the capsule of the tonsil. This infection may require intravenous antibiotics and a drainage procedure to remove the abscess, says Brad DeSilva, MD, otolaryngologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Because strep is sometimes associated with sinusitis, ear infections, and pneumonia, it can be hard to tell if your swollen tonsils are the victim of a viral or bacterial infection. If symptoms persist, Dr. DeSilva recommends having your doc run a rapid strep test to determine if antibiotics are needed.
About Sore Throat And Ear Pain
Ears and nose are two of the important sense organs of the human body. It may be interesting to note that ears, nose, and throat have a connection between them which links all the three to one another. Infection or an allergy affecting any one of these three structures results in discomfort in all the three. The middle ear and the throat are connected by a narrow tube known as Eustachian tube. Sore throat almost always blocks this tube, which is a result of swelling of the tube, and this in turn results in increased pressure in the ear causing ear pain.
However, in some cases patients also experience one-sided sore throat and ear pain. This happens when the infection affects only one side of the throat. In such cases the pain only affects on one side leaving the other side pain free.
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When To See A Doctor For Treatment
If youre suffering from other allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes and a stuffy nose, over-the-counter medication may help your ears as well. Antihistamines can reduce the inflammation caused by the allergy, while decongestants will help with a clogged nose and ears. Because ear pressure can be a symptom of many other problems, its advisable to see a doctor if the pressure doesnt go away or becomes painful. Continued pressure can lead to hearing loss.
Also, if your allergy symptoms include ringing in the ears or vertigo , a visit to a hearing care provider is in order.
As many as 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children reportedly suffer from some type of allergy. Because allergies can cause temporary and in some rare cases permanent hearing loss, its important to know how allergies impact hearing and to address any problems early on.
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Allergies And Your Nose
Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is the term typically used to describe the allergic reaction that happens in your nose. You may have uncontrollable sneezing or a runny and stuffy nose.
Nasal Spray for Allergy Relief
If you suffer from severe allergies or frequent sinus infections, youre probably all too familiar with the fast-acting power of nasal spray. And while these sprays can clear a stuffy nose in seconds, not all nasal sprays are created equal.
There are four common types of nasal sprays on the market today:
- Saline: Because saline sprays are made from mostly salt and water, theyre safe to use every day.
- Antihistamine: These sprays are typically used to relieve congestion and usually cause less drowsiness than antihistamine pills, and are available by all available over the counter. Talk to one of our Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia board-certified allergy specialists about which one we recommend.;
- Steroid: These sprays can be;used as a preventative measure and to control allergy symptoms. They are available over the counter and can be used daily during allergy season to provide relief.
- Decongestant sprays are popular because they instantly shrink the blood vessels in your nose and alleviate congestion. However, they can also cause nasal spray addiction. This is because people find themselves needing the spray to breathe easily even when allergies are not making them congested.
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Learn More About Mountain Ear Nose & Throat Associates
If youd like to learn more about Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates and what we can do for you, you can contact the team using the following numbers depending on your location:
- Sylva: 828-586-7474
- Murphy: 828-835-1014
- New Asheville: 828-458-8100
Dont hesitate to get in touch and book your appointment with Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates to come up with a solution for your situation today!;
Treating Your Allergies With Immunotherapy
For many patients, these measures are not enough to provide relief for their allergy symptoms. Allergen immunotherapy prescribed by Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, can reduce allergy symptoms and any associated sinus or ear infections 80-90%. Consult with one of our Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia specialists. to find the treatment plan right for you.
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Sore Throat And Ear Pain: Whats Causing The Discomfort
Sore throat and ear pain can bring your day to a grinding halt. The discomfort can become unbearable quickly. Because of that, figuring out whats causing those conditions and getting them treated fast is a must.
Some of the underlying causes of sore throat and ear pain can be very serious, but others can be treated from home. Thats why its important to be able to realize when you can deal with it and when you need to get to the doctors office.
Can Seasonal Allergies Lead To Neck Pain
- NSPC Team
Winter is over, the sun is out, flowers are blooming and you are miserable. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, the start of warm weather ushers in endless hours of sneezing, itchy eyes, and sinus congestion.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Every year, 20 million Americans suffer from pollen allergies, otherwise known as hay fever. While allergy symptoms are tolerable for many people, others experience added distress due to neck pain.
If allergies and neck pain bother you at the same time of the year, you may wonder if there is a connection between the two. We will examine some possible reasons for this pattern.
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Why Does Your Throat Hurt On One Side
If your throat pain comes from only one side, it could be a sign of a different condition or unique illness.
As your body helps to fight germs , it can cause the lymph nodes to swell up and become sorewhich can result in pain on one side of the throat.
Postnasal drip is another cause of throat pain. As mucus and fluid drain down the back of the throat, it can lead to the feeling of soreness, specifically on one side.
Inflammation of one or more tonsil, more commonly called tonsillitis, is another common cause of one-sided throat pain. Fever, difficulty swallowing and noisy breathing are symptoms that typically accompany the illness.
If you experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERDa condition in which the contents of the stomach back up into the food pipeyou may experience throat pain as well.
Symptoms Of Sore Throat And Ear Pain
If you have a sore throat and ear pain, you unfortunately know the symptoms very well. The common symptoms that most people complain of are:
- Raw soreness in the back of your throat
- A dry or scratchy feeling in your throat sometimes extending upward to the nose
- Pain when swallowing or talking
- Swelling in the area of the wisdom teeth or swelling in the throat
- Swollen glands in your neck or jaw
- Muffled hearing
- Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus
- Muscle fatigue around the jaw
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Which Drugs Help With A Sore Throat Caused By Allergies
Antihistamines can also be used to relieve symptoms. This active ingredient weakens the histamine triggered by the allergy and can thus reduce or stop the allergic reaction. However, some people develop resistance to antihistamines or experience side effects such as fatigue. This makes driving or using machines dangerous and should be avoided.
For hay fever allergy sufferers, there are a number of medications in the pharmacy that are specially tailored to the complaints and symptoms of a pollen allergy. These include, for example, nasal sprays, eye drops, juices or tablets. These can also have a positive effect on the allergic sore throat. In addition, you can get various medications especially for sore throats in the pharmacy regardless of whether it is a normal or an allergic sore throat. It is important to carefully follow the instructions enclosed with the medicine.
