ear and sinus infection

How does Sinusitis Trigger Ear Infection?
The infection of the sinus cavities easily spreads into the ear canal mainly because of their close proximity. There is a thin tube called Eustachian tube that connects the inner part of the ear with the back of the nasal passage. Spreading of the sinus infection becomes much easier because of the presence of Eustachian tube in this area. As you sneeze, cough or blow your nose, the fluid from the nasal passage tends to escape into the ear canal. Normally, when any fluid substance enters the ear, it is drained out through the Eustachian tube into the nose, which later flows down the throat. Due to sinus infection, the Eustachian tube gets blocked by mucus and it cannot drain out the fluid and it gets trapped inside the ear. This fluid build up promotes bacterial growth and leads to an ear infection.

Symptoms of Ear and Sinus Infection
In case of sinus ear infections, you can obviously observe symptoms of both sinus infection as well as ear infection. Some typical symptoms are as follows -

    Severe nasal congestion
    Thick nasal discharge, which is often greenish or yellow in color
    Pain and tenderness in the facial area around the eyes and nose
    Headache
    Coughing
    Sneezing
    Earache
    Fluid discharge from ear
    Difficulty in hearing
    Ringing in the ears
    Fever and chills

Treatment for Ear and Sinus Infection
This infection has to be resolved under the guidance of an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) specialist. Different options of treatment are available for sinus and ear infections. Corticosteroid nasal sprays are widely used for bringing down the inflammation of the nasal passage and sinus lining. As the inflammation goes down, the excess amount of mucus production will stop and one can get relief from nasal congestion and other sinusitis symptoms.

The nasal decongestants are often accompanied by suitable oral antibiotics. These medicines can destroy the bacteria and treat the infection. You have to take the medicines for 10-14 days as per the instructions provided by the doctor. If it is found that allergic reaction played a role in the sinus infection, then doctors prescribe antihistamine medicines, which control the effects of histamines released by the body and thus reduce the inflammation of healthy cells of the sinus lining.

Then comes the treatment for the ear infection. Antibiotic ear drops are prescribed, which have to be administered directly into the ears. The components of these ear drops kill the bacteria that causes irritation and inflammation in the ear. Your doctor will advice you to use these drops along with the oral antibiotic medicines discussed above. A severe ear infection pain has to be treated with pain relieving medicines. Such medicines work for sinus pain as well.