Earache and Sore Throat

Earache and sore throat at the same time can really be a matter of discomfort for a person. No matter what age group one may belong to, acute earache and sore throat causes trouble to all.

When a person is having earache and sore throat, it is always possible that he is suffering from a combination of the symptoms of both at one go. Initial causes of earache and sore throat can vary from infection to both ear and the throat, to any of the ordinary reasons like pollution, several allergies or due to swollen glands. Let's learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of earache and sore throat.

Earache and Sore Throat Causes
As said earlier, causes of earache and sore throat are very much interrelated. Trouble to any one of the organs can lead to pain to the other. Ear problems often arises as an onset of sore throat. However, one has to check out for the causes individually, to find the connection between the two.

1. Sore Throat: Sore throat is nothing but inflammation of tonsils, larynx and pharynx of the throat. Normally, uncomplicated sore throat seldom lasts for more than 3 days. Most of the times, sore throat is caused by viral and bacterial infection and can get treated with several antibacterial medications. Read on more for strep throat.
2. Earache: It is just the same with earache. Earache is also often caused due to infection that is caused to the inner ear, middle ear or the outer ear. Ear infection can be cured with timely medical intervention. Read on how to cure an ear infection.

As both ear and the throat are located just next to each other, it is obvious that trouble with any of the organs will undoubtedly affect the other. Mostly, it is the sore throat, that is the main culprit behind those nasty earaches. Earache and sore throat on one side can be due to infection on one side of the throat. Thus, the pain would persist on that side even when the other side is completely normal. Following are the causes of earache and sore throat, in brief.

• Tonsillitis
• Smoking
• Drinking Excessive Alcohol
• Having too Hot or Cold Food
• Ear Infections
• Hay Fever
• Allergies
• Overuse of Vocal Chords
• Uvula Infection
• Cough
• Cold and Flu
• Sinus Infections
• Tooth Infection

Earache and Sore Throat Symptoms
Ear infections in adults and children can occur due to infection to any of its connected organs like throat and the nose. In following conditions, it is best to see a health care specialist as early as possible.

• Difficulty in swallowing anything for more than 3 days
• Swollen lymph nodes and glands
• Persistent fever for more than 3 days
• Rash and pus on tonsils
• Stiff neck and back
• Lasting mouth ulcers
• Blood in saliva or phlegm

Earache and Sore Throat Remedies
Outer observations of ear and throat cannot predict the actual reason and severity of earache and sore throat. Though, earache and sore throat are usually mild and seldom last long, the severe pain that is experienced is sometimes intolerable. As stated repeatedly, sore throat is more often the main reason behind earache as well. Also, it is a resultant of viral and bacterial infections that can be healed with several home remedies for sore throat. Read on for sore throat home remedies and home remedies for earache.

Following several precautions like drinking plenty of non-alcoholic drinks, gargling with a solution of warm water and turmeric, taking a temporary pain killer like paracetamol or ibuprofen and antibiotics for strep throat can aid in the cure. Avoiding smoking, alcohol and food of extreme temperatures, sucking throat lozenges, keeping a warm towel on the aching ear, etc., are the first aid acts that one can perform to get rid of earache and sore throat. If the pain aggravates and stays persistent for more than 3 days, one has to see an Otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) as soon as possible.