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EARACHE

EARACHE What is it?Earache is pain in one or both ears that may be either dull and constant, throbbing or sharp. Earache may be due to infection of the outer ear canal or the middle ear (acute middle ear infection and glue ear}INFECTION OF THE OUTER EAR CANAL (otitis externa)Symptoms: The ear canal is itchy, mild to severe pain, a feeling of fullness in the ear, sometimes a clear or yellowy discharge and temporary deafness. Causes: Swimming, Scratching the inside of the ear, a foreign body in the ear, bacteria, allergic reaction

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ACUTE MIDDLE EAR INFECTION

ACUTE MIDDLE EAR INFECTION (Acute otitis media) Symptoms: Comes on suddenly, Severe throbbing pain, which can become stabbing, Fever, temporary hearing loss, vomiting and pulling at the ears, is a common sign in babies and young children.Causes: Complication of a cold or other upper respiratory infection.Treatment in the home: Take aspirin or paracetamol to ease pain and reduce fever. Do not give aspirin to children under the age of 12.Possible complications: If not treated, the eardrum may burst or chronic middle ear infection may develop, with further hearing loss and pain.When to

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GLUE EAR

GLUE EAR (Secretory otitis media) Symptoms: Children under the age of seven are most commonly affected. Partial deafness in the affected ear. A sensation of fullness in the ear.Causes: Re current of chronic tonsillitis. Recurrent or chronic infection of the middle ear. Enlarged adenoids. Blockage of the Eustachian tube.Treatment in the home: NonePossible complications: Permanent deafness in the affected ear, if the condition is not detected or left untreated.When to call to call a doctor: If deafness is suspected after an ear infection.What the doctor may do: Examine the affected ear. Test the

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