Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Causes and risk factors of otitis media: colds, blocked tubes, adenoids and smoke exposure.
Otitis media usually starts when the Eustachian tube is blocked and germs reach the middle ear.
Common causes
Risk factors in children
Causes in adults
Colds, allergies, smoking, sinus infection and sudden pressure change from flying or diving.
Chronic otitis media
May follow repeated infection, a perforated eardrum, water entering through a hole in the drum, or poor tube function.
Ayurvedic view
Ayurveda attributes ear problems to aggravated Kapha and Pitta, cold and heavy foods and exposure to cold wind. This is an interpretive view and not a proven mechanism.
See a doctor if your child has more than three infections in six months, or four in a year.
When to get help
See a doctor or ENT clinic if ear pain, discharge or hearing change does not settle in a couple of days, if infections keep coming back, or if you are unsure about any medicine or drop. Early assessment protects hearing and helps avoid unnecessary treatment.
Remember
Vaccination, avoiding smoke exposure and feeding babies upright reduce the risk.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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