Ear pain

"Earache" redirects here. For record label, see Earache Records.
Ear pain
Other namesOtalgia, earache
Examination of the ear canal and eardrum
SpecialtyENT surgery

Ear pain, also known as earache or otalgia, is pain in the ear.[1][2] Primary ear pain is pain that originates from the ear. Secondary ear pain is a type of referred pain, meaning that the source of the pain differs from the location where the pain is felt.

Most causes of ear pain are non-life-threatening.[3][4] Primary ear pain is more common than secondary ear pain,[5] and it is often due to infection or injury.[3] The conditions that cause secondary (referred) ear pain are broad and range from temporomandibular joint syndrome to inflammation of the throat.[3]

In general, the reason for ear pain can be discovered by taking a thorough history of all symptoms and performing a physical examination, without need for imaging tools like a CT scan.[3] However, further testing may be needed if red flags are present like hearing loss, dizziness, ringing in the ear or unexpected weight loss.[6]

Management of ear pain depends on the cause. If there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are sometimes recommended and over the counter pain medications can help control discomfort.[7] Some causes of ear pain require a procedure or surgery.[7][8][9]

83 percent of children have at least one episode of a middle ear infection by three years of age.[10]

  1. ^ "Earache: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference AFP2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sullivan2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Conover2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference RedFlagPosition2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Coombs C (2016). "Chapter 118: Ear and Mastoid Disorders in Infants and Children". In Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Yealy DM, Meckler GD, Cline DM (eds.). Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 978-0071794763.
  8. ^ Stallard TC (2017). "Chapter 32: Emergency Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Sinuses, Oropharynx, & Mouth". In Stone CK, Humphries RL (eds.). CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Emergency Medicine (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Harrisons19th was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rosa-Olivares2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).