Last night I woke up with a lot of pain in my right ear. It wasn't too bad, I was able to go back to sleep and this morning, it doesn't hurt anymore, just feels a little funny. This senario has happened two other times in the past month or so. Also, there were a couple days when my ears started ringing for no apparent reason (I hadn't been to a loud concert or anything) and then stopped about a day later. I have never had an ear infection before so I don't know what it is like. People that I talked to about this said that an infection would hurt a lot more and there were be constant pain with plugged up ears. So I'm not sure if I should go to a doctor, I don't know if they would find anything wrong.
2007-05-22 06:14:09 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
nah i dont think its an ear infection
if it was you would know ... just from the pain and plugged up ears.
2007-05-22 06:22:25 · answer #1 · answered by trooblonde247 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your question leaves out a lot of data, but I will attempt to answer your unspoken question first: Absolutely you should consider seeing a doctor. The ringing and pain can be one of several things. Yes, it could be an infection. Given that it is one sided it has a higher probability of being a bacterial infection than a viral, so might require antibiotics. Failure to treat could lead to a hearing loss or worse.
Continuing, if it only occurs when you awaken, you could have an allergy which is causing a back up of fluids in your ear which otherwise would drain down the nose. The on and off ringing is the most concerning piece of your question. You did not describe feeling dizzy or lightheaded or feeling the room or bed spin, but if so then you may have a condition wherein the inner ear is swollen, known variously as 'Menieres' or 'labyrinthitis'. Again, if untreated, hearing loss can occur.
Finally, take a deep breath and relax for a second. I have just described some bad things that CAN be going on, but be assured that on and off ear pain with tinnitus [ringing] can be a normal thing as well. Take some aspirin, drink some water.
The best thing I can tell you is that if you do not go to a physician, try to be aware of circumstances surrounding the event. Do you sleep on the side that rings? Do you feel itchy and have a runny nose? Then maybe it's an allergy.
Are you over 50? Then maybe it's just a normal variant.
Do you feel spinning, or sweaty, or have a headache? Then maybe it's your inner ear.
2007-05-22 06:33:24 · answer #2 · answered by waldowander 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it only happens during the night, I am willing to bet you are grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw in your sleep causing TMJ (templar mandibular joint located in the jaw). This condition is commonly mistaken for an ear infection.
Go to your local pharmacy and get a bite guard to wear while you sleep.
2007-05-22 06:24:26 · answer #3 · answered by sleepingliv 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This could be an infection and the Tinnitus/ringing is a sign of hearing loss in the high decibel range.
2007-05-22 06:23:23 · answer #4 · answered by Teacher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any time you are worried about something like this...CALL YOUR DR...I would rather call and it be nothing than NOT call and find out much later it's something....you know?
Symptoms manifest differently in each person...what may be "normal" or "regular" symptoms for some, may not be for you...
As my Mom always said, 'Better to err on the side of caution"
2007-05-22 06:23:39 · answer #5 · answered by Toots 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋