Having an ear infection can be one of the most hurtful types of illnesses, and you may need to see your primary care doctor find relief. The pain that comes with an ear infection feels like no other. It can be debilitating at times.
There are home remedies that have been around for generations that many people try to replicate. These may or may not relieve the symptoms for a short amount of time. When someone is suffering from the pain of an ear infection for more than a few days, it may be time to seek treatment from a doctor.
Your primary care doctor will use an otoscope instrument to look into your ear and diagnose an infection. The instrument will help the doctor judge whether there is fluid behind the eardrum.
With the otoscope, your doctor can push a tiny puff of air into the eardrum. If there is fluid in the middle ear, there will be little or no eardrum movement. This instrument is a very important tool in diagnosing an ear infection.
Once your infection is diagnosed, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if they feel they are necessary. These antibiotics will help to clear up the infection within a few days, and you can also use pain relievers with them.
To manage pain caused by an ear infection, your doctor will tell you to take pain medication or pain reliever, usually acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
In some cases, your doctor may not prescribe antibiotics. Ear infections are known to work themselves out and go away on their own. Your doctor may tell you to wait it out a few days to see if this is what happens.
Too many antibiotics are not good to use with ear infections. Your body will build up resistance over time and may not work on future infections. Your doctor knows you best, and they will determine the best course of treatment and whether to give out antibiotics.
Pain management is lifesaving when dealing with the pain of an earache. You can also use warm compresses and lay on the side where the ear hurts to apply pressure. The pressure sometimes will give some relief from the pain.
Anytime you are experiencing pain associated with an earache, you should contact your doctor to find out if it is an infection. Your primary care doctor will determine what steps to take after examining your ears and properly diagnosing the problem. Be sure to follow the advice given to you by your doctor and use any medication as directed. Following all these steps will help ensure your earache clears up in a few days, and you can be back to feeling normal. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor and let them know if the pain persists after completing any antibiotics provided.
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