Ear Pain When Swallowing

Ear pain or earache is a common medical problem that affects people of all ages. Medically referred to as otalgia, it can be caused due to outer or middle ear related problems like blockage, nerve disorders, injuries, and infections. Apart from these, there are several cases of ear discomfort that are directed from other body parts. Pain resulting from other medical reasons is collectively known as 'referred ear pain'. Also, pain in the ear may be observed during certain situations. For example, many people report severe ear pain when chewing and swallowing, while some experience sharp earache during air travel. Each of these conditions is related to specific health problems, which can be identified only with proper diagnostic methods.

Ear Pain When Swallowing: Causes

This case of earache is usually associated with other symptoms like pressure in the ear while coughing and yawning. Perception of ear pain at the time of swallowing food can be correlated to irritation of the nerves, which are involved during swallowing and at the same time, connected to the ear directly or distantly. Following is a list of the common causes of ear pain when swallowing.

Ear Infection
Ear infections are one of the obvious causes of earache, irrespective of when the symptom is aggravated. In such a case, afflicted patients may experience earache while chewing, swallowing, or indulging in any other activity that involves movement of the areas surrounding the ear. Ear pain caused due to infection is accompanied with fluid discharge from the ear and running high temperature.

Blocked Eustachian Tube
Eustachian tube is a small canal that connects the middle ear with the upper throat and back of the nose. It functions as an equalizer to regulate the air pressure inside the middle ear and outside environment. This tube opens while swallowing and yawning. Thus, blockage or dysfunctioning of the eustachian tube can lead to inner earache when swallowing.

Mumps
Mumps is a less common but highly contagious disease, which is caused due to viral infections. Even though ear pain while swallowing is not directly related to mumps, painful sensation in the ear is a commonly manifested sign of this viral disease. An afflicted patient may go through sharp otalgia when chewing rather than during swallowing foods and drinks.

Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis refers to infection in the tonsils that are situated at the back of the throat. Common symptoms of tonsillitis are mild to severe throat pain and difficulty in swallowing. If tonsillitis is caused by bacterial infection, then earache complication is usually observed. Thus, in such a case, a tonsillitis patient may experience ear pain when swallowing along with general symptoms of sore throat.

Peritonsillar Abscess (Quincy)
Peritonsillar abscess, a major complication of tonsillitis, is another cause for both sore throat and ear pain at the time of swallowing food. Individuals suffering from this condition manifest inability to open their mouth along with other symptoms like fever and malaise.

Sore Throat
Throat pain or sore throat is often associated with ear pain, as the cranial nerves (IX and X) connect both the ear organ and the pharynx portion. To be more precise, middle ear and throat are anatomically connected. This is the main reason as to why some people experience sharp earache when swallowing (due to sore throat or strep throat). Those having contact ulcers may also feel ear pain during swallowing of foods and drinks.

Thermal Laryngitis
Thermal laryngitis is caused due to heat injury to the larynx. It affects the laryngeal mucosa, resulting in sore throat, pain in swallowing, hoarse voice, ear pain and at times, breathing problems. Hence, ear pain while swallowing directly results from thermal laryngitis.

Sinusitis
One of the noticeable symptoms for sinusitis is ear pain and/or stuffiness in the ears. Very rarely, earache related to swallowing food is related to sinusitis. In such a case, the pathogens responsible for causing sinus infections progress further to the throat causing throat infection. Because of this, the usual sinusitis symptoms may also be accompanied with earache at the time of swallowing.

Ear Pain When Swallowing: Diagnosis and Treatment

Like any other health conditions, timely diagnosis and treatment of ear pain is the thumb rule to prevent further complications. The same applies to earache at the time of chewing or swallowing food; a qualified physician can only identify the exact reason behind this ear discomfort. In majority of the cases, ear pain cause can be traced to the medical history of the patient after proper physical examination.

Based on the diagnostic result of ear pain, the physician will prescribe appropriate medications for the treatment of this condition. For example, if strep throat is the main earache cause, antibiotics are recommended for treatment of the throat infection. Many times, positive responses are observed with natural earache remedy. Some of the effective home remedies for ear pain relief are warm compresses and applying warm garlic oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil to the affected ear. Nevertheless, if fluid or pus drainage from ear occurs, one should avoid adding oil and ear drops, as it can worsen the ear problem. Also, while lying down or sleeping, make sure that the painful ear side is not facing down.

In case, ear pain when swallowing is severe and does not subside within two to three days after practicing home remedies for earache, then it is always recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Hope you have given an attentive ear to what I have explained.