The American Lung Association reports that the typical adult gets as many as four colds a year. Although colds are normally minor viral infections, that’s a lot. It doesn’t matter what part of the body the virus attacks, if it leads to congestion, it can cause an ear infection.
There are a few cold symptoms you don’t want to ignore despite the fact that colds are normally thought to be harmless. Scientists have finally affirmed the suspected link between ear infections and the common cold. This is a significant discovery, because ear infections are a significant contributing variable in the troubling rise in antibiotic resistance.
Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Considering that your sinuses and ears are interconnected, it’s not uncommon to feel stuffed up in your ears when you’re experiencing a cold. Ordinarily, this feeling comes and goes, particularly if you’re taking a decongestant and your head is draining out fluids. But congestion can develop into an ear infection in only a few hours. This is the reason that if you have pain or discharge in your ears you need to get professional help.
Pain is a sign that your cold is moving in the wrong direction and can be an indication of inflammation or infection. You can avoid permanent damage, if caught early enough, by getting a prescription for antibiotics. If it’s dismissed, it can lead to scarring on the eardrum and possibly damage to the cilia from inflammation.
Is this very serious? A cold will normally only cause temporary problems with your hearing. However, permanent loss of hearing can result if the eardrum or cilia get injured and that can result in other health issues.
Loss of Hearing Can Harm Your General Health
Loss of cognitive ability, depression, more accidents, and other health problems are associated with hearing loss. Researchers have recently found a connection between loss of hearing and increased healthcare costs. In fact, in only a decade, neglected hearing loss can increase your healthcare costs by 46%.
Loss of hearing can also raise your probability of needing hospitalization by 50%….and also increase the likelihood of needing to be readmitted.
It adds up each time your ears take even minor damage. Even slight hearing loss can, Johns Hopkins found, double your probability of getting dementia. Consider the fact that considerable hearing loss can be caused by scarring on the eardrum from repeated ear infections.
Have You Had Ear Pain For Days?
Have you been suffered from ear pain for days and neglected it? It’s a typical oversight, but seek treatment immediately. The majority of health insurance companies consider signs of an ear infection or ear pain an emergency and there’s a good reason for that. If you feel pain in your ear when you have a cold or after a cold get a hearing examination. A professional examination can determine whether:
- there is damage to the eardrum that should be dealt with
- your inner ear is impacted
- You have an infection currently
A professional evaluation can also ensure that there are no obstructions in the ear that might cause irritation or temporary loss of hearing.
Ear pain or prolonged loss of hearing are sure signs that you need to see a professional. Schedule an appointment today.