Inner Ear Infection Treatment

Also known as labyrinthitis, ear infection is a common ailment mostly found among children, and seldom in adults. The article focuses on different methods that deal with inner ear infection treatment.
Inner Ear Infection Treatment
Viral infections, bacterial infections and allergies are the common causes of inner ear infection. The reason why the infection is also referred to as 'labyrinthitis' is because of the fact that the labyrinth of the ear is affected. It is made up of a structure consisting of fluid-filled sacs and tubes which lie beneath the skull. Out of all the organs of the human body, there are two which are responsible for hearing (cochlea) and the other helps us decipher vertical directions (up and down), and so it is called the balance organ or the vestibular system. Either or one of these organs may be affected and cause inner ear infection. A person suffering from this infection, faces problems with his balance and experience vomiting and a distinct ringing in the ears (tinnitus). The infection may also lead to temporary hearing loss in extreme cases. The different procedures administered for inner ear infection treatment are as follows.

Inner Ear Infection Remedy
A strong immune system is a preventive factor as well as being an effective measure to cure inner ear infection. Early symptoms of inner ear infections include fever, swollen glands, inner ear dizziness, vomiting, (tinnitus) ringing in the ear and malaise. Onset of blurry or double vision, photophobia (sensitivity to bright light), jumping vision, joint pain, neck pain, headache and leg stiffness are also related with severe symptoms of inner ear problems. Symptoms at a later stage may also include occurrence of motion sickness, confusion, forgetfulness, slurred speech, heat and cold intolerance, fatigue and influenza-like symptoms. Apart from these, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and fatigue may also show up in the affected person.

During the occurrence of such symptoms, eating light food such as vegetable juices, broths, soups, herbal tea, lemon drinks and drinking plenty of water is recommended to alleviate an inner ear infection treatment. As the infection is in the form of an inflammation, so including ginger, garlic, turmeric, cayenne and fish oils are beneficial for the recovery. These foods are known to be anti-inflammatory and their use relieves the pressure on the ear nerves. Increasing the consumption of protein-rich foods and refraining from poor quality food like fats, caffeine, aspirin, salt, sugar and fried foods, helps the recovery.

Inner ear infection remedies, that can be employed at home, include the use of collodial silver for washing the ear and using drops of labolia oil, garlic or olive oil. Sometimes, the ear gets hot, red and swollen and the pain may be intolerable. In such a case, these oils which have been mentioned above prove beneficial for relieving the pain or alternatively, a homeopathic remedy known as aconite, also comes in handy. Pain in the inner ear may radiate to the cheek in some cases. For this, chamomile is effective as an inner ear infection treatment.

Other medical procedures for inner ear infection treatment include the administration of antibiotics for the infection caused by bacteria. This may involve using the drugs orally or through an intravenous line (IV). An inner ear infection that has a virus as its underlying cause, may be treated with corticosteroids (administered as drugs, they reduce swelling and decrease the body's immune response). These drugs may include prednisone or antiviral medications. Apart from medicines, there are various kinds of exercises that can reduce the effects of an inner ear infection.

While you are following such aforementioned home remedies, for inner ear infection treatment, it is also necessary that you consult an ENT (ear nose throat) specialist for professional advice and recommendations. Inner ear infections or any problem with this part of the ear is diagnosed through a hearing test, Electronystagmography (ENG), ECOG, Posturography or Platform test, the Rotary Chair test and imaging tests such as X-ray, CT scans and MRI scans. Being a very delicate and a sensitive part of the human ear, any ear problems (pertaining to outer, middle or inner ear) should be addressed at an early stage and treated as soon as possible to keep matters from becoming worse.

By Rajib Singha
Published: 9/15/2009
 
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