Earache
Earache: Introduction
Aching or pain in the ear is called otalgia (see also detailed disease information
for earache).
Ear pain is usually caused by an infection of the ear area,
including outer ear infections, mastoiditis, or middle ear infections.
However, pain in the ear can also arise from infections or conditions
in nearby regions that affect the ear nerves.
This is called "referred pain" and may arise from dental conditions,
jaw disorders, or afflictions of the upper digestive tract and throat area.
There are a variety of possible causes of ear pain
and any ear pain symptoms needs prompt professional medical advice.
» Review Causes of Earache:
full list
Causes of Earache:
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Earache.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
- Ear trauma
- Ear slap - causing ear trauma
- Ear trauma from loud sound or blast
- Excessive ear picking - causing ear trauma
- Ear conditions
- Possible causes of external ear pain:
- more causes...»
See full list of 186
causes of Earache
» Review Causes of Earache:
full list
Causes of Types of Earache:
Review causes of types of Earache in more specific categories:
See full list of 8
types for Earache
Earache: Symptom Checker
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Earache, as listed in our database.
Visit the Symptom Checker,
to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
Symptom Checker
Symptom Checker
See full list of 2313
Symptom Checker combinations related to Earache
Earache Treatments
Review information on Earache Treatments.
Earache: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available related to Earache:
Causes of General Symptom Types
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Causes of Similar Symptoms to Earache
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Earache:
Diagnostic Guides for Earache
Medical Books Excerpts
Read excertps from published book sections related to Earache
from the following published medical books
for more detailed information about Earache.
Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Earache
Medical Books Excerpts
- HEADACHE
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
- EARACHE
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
- Headache
- "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
- [ read ]
- HEADACHE
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- EARACHE
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Headache
- "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Otorrhea
- "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Earache
- "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Headache
- "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
- [ read ]
- Headache
- "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)
- [ read ]
- Headache
- "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Otorrhea
- "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Headache
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- Headache
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Otorrhea
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Earache
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Headache
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Earache
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Headache
- "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Otorrhea
- "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
- [ read ]
- EARACHE
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Earache
- "The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult" (2008)
- [ read ]
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Earache: Medical Mistakes
Earache: Undiagnosed Conditions
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
- Nerve Disorders: serious diseases commonly undiagnosed:
- Chronic Pain Disorders -- serious medical disorders that may be undiagnosed:
- more undiagnosed conditions...»
Earache: Research Related Doctors & Specialists
- Nerve Specialists:
- Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists:
- Pain Specialists:
- Arthritis & Joint Health Specialists (Rheumatology):
- more specialists...»
Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:
Misdiagnosis and Earache
Sinusitis is overdiagnosed: There is a tendency to give a diagnosis of sinusitis,
when the condition is really a harmless complication of another infection,
such as a common cold....read more »
Whooping cough often undiagnosed: Although most children in the Western world have been
immunized against whooping cough (also called "pertussis"), this protection wears
off after about 15 years.
Thus, any teen or adult with a persistent cough may...read more »
Leg cramps at night a classic sign: The symptom of having leg muscle cramps,
particularly at night, is a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes.
However, there are also various other causes.
See causes of leg...read more »
Vitamin B12 deficiency under-diagnosed: The condition of Vitamin B12 deficiency
is a possible misdiagnosis of various conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (see ...read more »
Ramsay Hunt syndrome- recovery depends on nerve damage: The Ramsay Hunt syndrome is
herpes zoster affecting the geniculate ganglion. This syndrome develops when
the varicella virus becomes reactivated from the geniculate ganglion. It is
seen as a disease of older...read more »
Dizziness in children: Dizziness although not a common cause in children can have threatening causes and requires quick diagnosis as the possibility of tumours such as medulloblastoma is possible but the most commonest causes...read more »
Painful ear conditions: A patient with a painful ear often requires urgent attention and most of these cases are expected to have acute otitis media. It can occur at any age but...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Earache
Diagnostic tests for Earache:
Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Earache. Some of these are listed below :
- General observation
- Observe the person's general state and behavior e.g. sudden, jabbing pain may indicate trigeminal neuralgia or glossopharyngeal neuralgia
- Physical examination
- Manipulate the pinna to establish if this aggravates the pain - would suggest otitis externa, foreign body, impacted wax, furunculosis, ear lobe infection or perichondritis.
- Examine the skin of the pinna for pathology such as skin tumor
- Examine for enlargement of the local lymph nodes
- Examine the nature of the ear discharge - if present.
- more tests...»
See full list of 23
diagnostic tests for Earache
Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Earache.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- How long have you had the ear pain? - to determine if acute or chronic.
- Where exactly do you experience the ear pain and where does the pain radiate to? - may assist in diagnosis e.g. in ear, behind ear, below ear.
- Is the pain unilateral or bilateral?
- Can you describe the nature of the pain?
- Have you had a recent upper respiratory tract infection? - e.g. sore throat, runny nose, sinusitis - may suggest acute otitis media or myringitis bullosa (occurs with influenza, Haemophilus influenza and mycoplasma pneumoniae infections).
- more questions...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Earache (24
listings)
Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse
your condition.
The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Earache) may include:
- Ear discharge? - Acute ear discharge suggests acute otitis media (middle ear infection) with a rupture of the ear drum, otitis externa (outer ear infection) or myringitis bullosa. A chronic ear discharge may suggest cholesteatoma, chronic otitis media or mastoiditis.
- If a discharge is present, what is the nature of the discharge? - A mucopurulent discharge (mucous to pus-like) suggests chronic otitis media and mastoiditis. A offensive discharge with whitish debris suggests cholesteatoma. A bloody discharge may suggest myringitis bullosa.
- Fever? - suggests otitis media, mastoiditis, tonsillitis, sinusitis or tooth abscess.
- Hearing loss? - may suggest acute otitis media, chronic otitis media, otitis externa, foreign body, mastoiditis, cholesteatoma, eustachian tube catarrh and barotrauma.
- Symptoms of acute otitis media? - e.g. deep-seated ear pain, deafness , fever, a discharge may follow if the tympanic membrane ruptures which results in relief of pain and fever.
- more symptoms...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Earache (24
listings)
Home Diagnostic Testing and Earache
Home medical tests possibly related to Earache:
- Cold & Flu: Home Testing:
- Ear Infections: Home Testing:
- Nerve Neuropathy: Related Home Testing:
- more tests...»
Stories from Users for Earache
Real-life user stories relating to Earache:
- Plugged (fluid) ears, ear pain 4 months!
- hurt from med-levaquin anyone else?
- Help: Young but Hurting
- eye,neck,ear,and face pain!!!
- Ear Fullness Pain Rining
- hurt myself while asleep
- Dizzyness & Weird Feeling In Ear For 3+ Years!! HELP!! DESPERATE!!(Long)
- Recurring earache and sore throat
- Dizzyness & Weird Ear Feeling For 3+ years!! HELP!! DESPERATE!! (Long)
- Hearing loss/fullness in ears with face pain
- Hurting real Bad.
- Ear pain when lying on side in bed
- Sharp pain behind left ear
- Pain in neck, ear & tongue.. ??
- really hurting.
- What Could This Be? (ear pain, headaches,...)
- Right eye ptosis,tearing,ear,jaw and neck pain
- Unexplained Ear Pain
- eye,ear,scalp and facial pains
- White painful hard lump inside of ear
Symptom specific forums:
The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards
relate to Earache or relevant symptoms:
Videos for Earache
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There are two basic types of medications used to treat migraines: drugs to prevent migraines from occurring and drugs to treat the headache once it...
Good communication between a doctor and patient is crucial. Migraine sufferers should prepare to discuss details of their symptoms with their...
See full list of 13 related videos
Patient Surveys for Earache
Causes of Earache listed in Disease Database:
Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible
causes of Earache as a symptom include:
See full list of 186
causes of Earache
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Medications or substances causing Earache:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Earache as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 36
medications causing Earache
Definitions of Earache:
Earache: Pain in the ear. SYN: otalgia, otodynia.
Source: Stedman's Medical Spellchecker, © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Earache; a pain localized in the middle or inner ear.
- (Source - Diseases Database)
An ache localized in the middle or inner ear
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
Organs affected by Earache:
The list of organs typically affected by Earache may include, but is not limited to:
Detailed list of causes of Earache
The list below shows some of the causes of Earache mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 186
causes of Earache
How Common are these Causes of Earache?
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases,
not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Earache.
Of the 186
causes of Earache that
we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
- 6
causes are "very common" diseases
- 4
causes are "common" diseases
- 3
causes are "uncommon" diseases
- 1
causes are "rare" diseases
- 10
causes are "very rare" diseases
- 172
causes have no prevalence information.
See the analysis of the prevalence of 186
causes of Earache
Conditions listing symptoms: Earache:
The following list of conditions
have 'Earache' or similar
listed as a symptom in our database.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
A
Acute Tracheitis
... Ear acheAerotitis syndrome
... ear painAggressive fibromatosis - parapharyngeal space
... ear painAspergillus niger infection
... ear painB
Barotitis Media
... ear painBarotrauma
... ear painBarre-Lieou syndrome
... ear painBell's Palsy
... pain behind the earBroken jaw
... ear painC
Chronic laryngotracheitis
... Ear acheD
Dysbarism
... ear painE
Ear conditions
... Ear painEar foreign body
... ear painEar infection
... Ear painEar infection (infant)
... Ear painEar wax
... ear painEarache
... ear pain, ear pain when swallowing, earache, ear pain when chewing, ear pain when blowing nose, pain when the ears are touchedEarlobe conditions
... Ear painEustachian tube disorders
... Ear acheG
Glomus tympanicum
... ear painGlossopharyngeal neuralgia
... ear painGradenigo's syndrome
... ear painH
Hyperacusis
... ear painJ
Jaw conditions
... earachesJaw joint disorders
... earacheL
Labrynthitis
... ear painLaryngeal carcinoma
... earacheLarynx Cancer
... earacheLinguatula serrata infection
... ear painM
Middle ear infection
... Ear pain, EaracheMumps
... earacheN
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
... ear painNeck Cancer
... EaracheO
Oral cancer
... ear painOropharyngeal cancer
... Ear pain.Oropharyngeal cancer, adult
... ear painOtitis externa
... ear painP
Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease
... OtalgiaPerforated eardrum
... sudden relief of ear painPerichondritis
... painful earPolychondritis
... ear painR
Ramsay Hunt I syndrome
... ear painRamsay Hunt syndrome
... OtalgiaRespiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
... earacheS
Serratia ear infection
... earacheSinusitis
... earachesSupraglottic laryngeal cancer
... ear painT
Teeth grinding
... EaracheTempormandibular joint pain
... EaracheTemporo-mandibular ankylosis
... ear painThyroid cancer, Hurthle cell
... ear painTMJ Syndrome
... aching from the ear to the templeTongue Cancer
... Ear painTonsilitis
... earacheV
Vibrio infection - Vibrio alginolyticus
... ear painW
Warthin's tumor
... earacheWiskott-Aldrich Syndrome
... Earache
Conditions listing complications: Earache:
The following list of conditions
have 'Earache' or similar
listed as a complication in our database.
The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear,
and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
C
Common cold
... earacheM
Measles
... earache
Join in at the forums
Ask or answer a question about symptoms or diseases at one of our
free interactive user forums.
Medical story forums: If you have a medical story then we want to hear it.
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Causes of Earache Based on Risk Factors
This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Earache based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Diabetes - history of diabetes or family history of diabetes?
Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Earache?
Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Earache, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :
What are the alternative names for Earache:
Otalgia, Ear pain
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Classifications of Earache:
Medical Conditions associated with Earache:
Pain (5609 causes), Ear symptoms (1484 causes), Sensations (5876 causes), Nerve symptoms (6219 causes), Common symptoms (7717 causes), Head symptoms (6066 causes), Face symptoms (4405 causes)
Symptoms related to Earache:
Ear pain (57 causes), Ear discharge (16 causes), Ear symptoms (1484 causes), Abscess (17 causes), Cellulitis (6 causes), Ear trauma, Ear tumor, Fluid behind the ear, Middle ear infection (1 cause), Outer ear infection, Recurrent middle ear infection
Medical articles on signs and symptoms:
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
News Archives for Earache
Medical news articles related to Earache include:
Source: HealthDay News
Related medical articles from our Disease Center for Earache:
More Ways To Research Medical Signs and Symptoms:
» Next page: Causes of Earache
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