What is Earache?
Pain in the ear is one of the most disturbing of human experiences. Mostly it is due to problem in the ear itself and diagnosis is simple after accurate history and thorough examination of ear, nose and throat.
Sometimes earache may be referred from pathology of remote areas (known as referred earache). Nerves supplying sensation to ear also supplies to other areas and because of some unexplainable reasons brain gets confused and perceives as earache when in fact problem may be in another part of the body. To find out the cause then is a challenge to E.N.T. specialist.
In children sometimes it may be just a reason to escape from school.
Causes of Earache
Pinna
- Trauma
- Infection
- Swelling
- Frost-bite
- Sunburn
Ear-Canal
- Otitis externa
- Impacted Wax
- Furuncle (boil)
- Herpes Zoster
- Tumor
Middle ear
- Acute otitis media
- Eustachian tube
- Blockage
- Glue Ear
- Aero-otitis Media
Causes in the Outside Ear
Via IX nerve(Glossopharyngeal)
- Lesions of base of tongue-ulcer/tuberculosis/ malignancy
- Lesions of oropharynx-Pharyngitis/tonsillitis. Abscess of spaces around tonsil area Ulcer.After tonsillectomy surgery
- Elongated styloid process stretching IX nerve
Via 5th nerve (Trigeminal nerve)
Via X nerve (Vagus nerve)
Via Cervical 2nd and 3rd nerve
