Ear Infections

Ear infections can be excruciatingly painful, and often cause sufferers to lose time from work and school. Many ear infections occur as a result of a middle ear infections, but the inner and outer ear are also susceptible to infection. The board-certified doctors at the Center for Allergy & Asthma of Georgia in Metro Atlanta are highly trained to diagnose and treat many types of ear infections.

Types of Ear Infections

While middle ear infections are the most prominent type of ear infection, and most often occur in young children, there are additional infections that affect both the inner and outer ear. The board-certified physicians at the Center for Allergy & Asthma of Georgia identify the type of ear infection from which the patient is suffering. The most common types of ear infections include:

Middle Ear: Otitis Media, Acute Otitis Media, Otitis Media with Effusion

Otitis media refers to an infection of the middle ear. Acute otitis media describes the blockage of the Eustachian tubes due to excess mucus following acold, sinus or throat infection, or an allergy attack. When the Eustachian tubes become blocked, fluid from the middle ear is not able to drain down the throat; the middle ear then becomes infected with viruses or bacteria from the nose and mouth.

Otitis media with effusion, or serous otitis media, occurs when the fluid behind the eardrum is not able to drain, but causes increased pressure on the eardrum.

Outer Ear: Otitis Externa, Acute Otitis Externa, or Swimmer’s Ear

Acute otitis externa, or swimmer’s ear, is typically caused by excess water trapped in the ear canal. The excess moisture offers bacteria the opportunity to multiply within the ear canal, causing the infection.

Signs and Symptoms of Ear Infections

Although the symptoms of ear infections may vary, the most typical signs of include:

• Ear pain
• Drainage from a ruptured eardrum
• Ringing in the ears
• Dizziness
• Hearing loss
• Pressure in the ear
• Difficulty sleeping

If you begin to feel pain or discomfort from your ears, it’s important to speak with a board-certified physician. At the Center for Allergy & Asthma of Georgia, our highly qualified physicians pair personalized care with observation to diagnose which type of ear infection our patients suffer from.

Find Relief from Ear Infections at the Center for Allergy & Asthma of Georgia

If you’re suffering from the symptoms of an ear infection, call (770) 459-0620 to schedule an appointment with the highly trained physicians at the Center for Allergy & Asthma of Georgia. We have a no-wait policy, ensuring that you quickly receive the care you need.

Our offices are conveniently located around the Metro Atlanta area, including locations in Carrollton, Villa Rica, Newnan, Smyrna/Vinings, Hiram, Acworth/Kennesaw, and Douglasville.