Fluid in the ear – causes, treatment and prevention

Fluid in the ear

Fluid in the ear can occur due to many reasons. Most of the time, however, one speaks of fluid in the ear when it forms from the body’s own substances. And that is the case, for example, with an ear infection: In medicine, this disease is called otitis media.

What is fluid in the ear?

Fluid in the ear most often occurs as a result of an infection in the middle ear. Inflammation forms behind the eardrum, causing the affected area to fill with fluid. The technical term for this process and for this type of disease is otitis media, and babies and young children are affected more often than adults because their ear and throat anatomy is not yet fully formed.

As a patient, you should never remove liquid in the ear on your own unless it drains away on its own. The underlying inflammation often heals on its own within a few days and the fluid in the ear is secreted or broken down. If this is not the case, you should definitely consult a doctor.

causes

A middle ear infection that causes fluid to build up in the ear is most commonly caused by bacteria or viruses . These usually enter the body through the nose or mouth and cause inflammation in the area of ​​the eardrum. Since mostly children are affected by the bacterial or viral pathogens of a middle ear infection, these can spread faster in places where many children are together (e.g. in daycare centers).Under certain circumstances, a middle ear infection can also be caused by foreign fluids (e.g. dirty water after swimming) or by hypothermia of the eardrum or the ear (the proverbial pull on the ear). Likewise, infections in the surrounding airways, allergies , or other pollutants that enter the ear through the air can lead to an infection of the middle ear. The latter is often favored by passive smoking.

Diseases

When to the doctor?

Fluid in the ear can be very annoying and distressing. In many cases, however, fluid in the ear is harmless and does not necessarily require medical attention. In any case, it is important to distinguish whether it is water or a secretion produced by the body itself.

If it is water that remains in the ear after bathing, showering or swimming, the water usually drains off on its own. Too much earwax often prevents the water from draining away. In this case, you can carefully try to loosen the plug that has formed with a cotton swab. If the water does not drain away for a long period of time, you should definitely consult a doctor, otherwise infections and inflammations can occur in the inner ear or, in the worst case, in the eardrum. A wide variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria or fungi can be transported into the ear canal via the water.

If it is not water that is supplied externally, but rather a liquid formation of the body itself, this is usually a sign of an inflammation of the external or internal auditory canal. If, in addition to the fluid in the ear, there is also itching and pain in the ear, a doctor should be consulted if necessary.

diagnosis and course

Almost every diagnosis is preceded by the symptoms of a disease. This is also the case with liquid in the ear. Typical symptoms of an infection that causes fluid in the ear include fluid leaking from the ear, but also an audible hissing noise . By the way, the noise is one of the clearest signs that there is liquid in the ear. In some cases, inflammation can also occur without fluid formation. Children and toddlers, on the other hand, often pull, scratch or touch the affected ear in the first few days of the infection.

Adults often complain of pain , hearing disorders and pressure in the ear. Fever , dizziness , balance disorders and nausea or vomiting can also occur . If serious symptoms occur, or if the fluid in the ear does not disappear by itself after a short time, it is important to see a specialist as soon as possible. He will do some research. This tells him how severe the middle ear infection is, how much fluid is in the ear, and whether there is a hearing loss.

complications

A common side effect of childhood colds , fluid in the ear rarely leads to complications. However, if the ear problems last longer than three months, there are changes in the mucous membrane. So-called goblet cells form, which constantly produce mucus. This creates a mucous secretion when there is persistent fluid in the ear, which forms the basis for infections in the ear.

A purulent middle ear infection can develop. In some cases, there are other complications as well. In a chronic form, the child’s language development can be delayed because it hears less well. More serious, however, is the possible destruction of the auditory ossicles years later. A hole can also form in the eardrum. In these cases it is an emergency. In order to preserve hearing, the auditory ossicles must be replaced with implants.

Inflammation from fluid in the ear can spread. This can lead to inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinthitis), meningitis or mastoiditis . Labyrinthitis can lead to later hearing loss. In mastoiditis, bone melts in the temporal bone behind the auricles.

A very serious complication is the formation of a cholesteatoma. This is chronic bone suppuration in the middle ear. This occurs when squamous epithelium penetrates through a hole in the eardrum from the external auditory canal into the middle ear.

treatment and therapy

Most ear infections go away on their own after a short time. If this is not the case, the infection underlying the fluid in the ear must be evaluated and treated by a specialist. This can be done, for example, by administering antibiotics .

If, for example, it is normal liquid in the ear (e.g. after swimming) or if liquid has been in the ear for a long time without any negative symptoms, you should also consult a doctor. In this way, the doctor can suck out the liquid in the ear and clarify why it has formed and whether further therapy is necessary.The ear infection can often be treated with medication and the fluid in the ear recedes or drains away. If this is not the case, or infections and fluid build-up in the ear keep occurring, it may be necessary to perform an operation.

This could consist, for example, of using a tube for ventilation. This tube is intended to ensure that the liquid in the ear can drain. However, it may also be necessary to remove the polyps if they have become infected and are causing the inflammation and fluid buildup in the ear.

outlook and prognosis

In most cases, fluid in the ear is not a particularly dangerous complaint and the disease usually progresses positively. Fluid build-up can occur, especially after swimming or, in some cases, after a shower. This then usually comes out of the ear on its own and there are no further complaints.

However, if the liquid remains in the ear for a longer period of time, it can also be removed from the ear with the help of movements. In some cases, the fluid in the ear can also cause inflammation and thus pain and other discomfort. However, this case is relatively unlikely and only occurs if the fluid in the ear remains in the ear for a long period of time and is not removed.

prevention

The formation of liquid in the ear can only be counteracted to a limited extent. Because here it depends heavily on the causes underlying the possible inflammation. If, for example, you are more prone to infections of the middle ear for chronic reasons or for other reasons, you should work with the doctor treating you to look for ways to reduce the risk of infection and the formation of fluid in the ear.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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