How to Cure Ear Pain? Natural Treatment for Ear Pain

Human Ear

Not only is the human ear necessary for hearing, but it is also crucial in maintaining balance. The ear has three parts; external (or pinna), middle, and inner components. The pinna is composed of cartilage encased in skin.

The outer ear functions to collect sound that it directs towards the eardrum (tympanic membrane). Sound waves then cause the eardrum, and in turn, three bones of the middle ear (malleus, incus, and stapes) attached to the tympanic membrane to vibrate. The vibrations are conducted towards the inner ear to the cochlea. The cochlea is a spiral-shaped structure that converts sound into nerve impulses that further propagate to the brain.

The inner ear is also home to the vestibular system that controls the sense of balance and spatial orientation. This is accomplished through the semicircular canal system. Displacement of fluid within the canal sends information pertaining to balance and head orientation to the brain.

Ear Ache

An ear ache is defined as ear pain or discomfort, and is often an indicator of disease or injury. Ear ache manifests in many forms, and associated ear pain may vary from piercing and sharp to dull and aching.

It is a condition that commonly occurs in childhood, but it could plague adults as well. Although not a disease in itself, ear ache is a symptom of external or middle ear injury or disease. A majority of the time, only one ear is affected, however, it is possible for both ears to feel simultaneous discomfort.

Moreover, determining the exact cause of the ailment could be a tall undertaking. A child's tug on the earlobe or cries of distress are seldom conclusive enough to determine the cause of the ear pain. In addition, the symptoms may be indicators of unrelated nose, throat, or mouth ailments.

Ear Ache Symptoms

Ear ache symptoms and signs vary in accordance with their root cause. Two common ear ache causes are swimmer's ear and otitis media (middle ear inflammation). Each has its own unique set of symptoms.

On the other hand, symptoms of otitis media include: various pains of the ear and neck, irritability, sleeplessness, headache, fluid drainage from the ear, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of hearing and balance.

Ear Ache Causes

Ear ache causes are as innumerable as the presenting symptoms. The aforementioned otitis media is the most common cause of ear infection. It is a bacterial infection most often (85% of occurrences) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas, or Moraxella. Portions of the middle ear become swollen and infected, leading to pain due to the build up of fluid behind the eardrum. Swimmer's ear, also called acute otitis externa occurs subsequent to water introduction in the ear and the proliferation of harmful bacteria and fungi.

Other causes include mechanical injury through the introduction of a foreign object into the ear. Moreover, sinus and throat infections can also present as ear aches. When sinuses become inflamed due to allergies and infections, it could lead to discomfort in the ear. In addition, a sore throat involving irritability, pain, and itchiness could contribute towards ear maladies as well.

Risks and Complications

Complications of ear aches are relatively rare, however, through persistent negligence, conditions can worsen. Hearing troubles are the primary sign of concern following ear infections. However, they are usually mild to moderate and are reversible.

In addition, other complications of acute ear infections include persistent swelling of the middle ear, known as chronic suppurative otitis media. The primary area of concern with this condition is chronic repetitive drainage of pus from the ear through a perforated eardrum. Most alarmingly, a vast majority of children with chronic suppurative otitis media experience varying degrees of hearing loss. A regimen of antibiotics is commonly prescribed as the treatment of choice for this ailment.

How to Cure Ear Pain?

How to cure ear pain has been a central focus of home remedies for millennia. Since the dawn of civilization mankind has sought natural treatment for ear pain in a bid to alleviate this condition. Today the focus has shifted towards natural treatments that offer a safe and effective cure for all manners of ear aches.

Home Remedies and Treatment

Home remedies usually serve to make the illness bearable until the body's immune system eliminates the infection. Ice packs and warm compresses have become the go-to home remedy for ear ailments. It is a simple approach of placing the ice pack or warm compress over the ear. Although the method is safe, it is only temporary relief; the pain returns as quickly as it subsides.

Another common folk remedy is the usage of herbal oils. Practitioners introduce a few drops of oil into the ear canal to soothe the ear pain. Olive oil drops in the ear is a safe alternative to pharmaceutical options, however, it is only moderately effective. Furthermore, one must ensure that the oil is at body temperature to avoid burning the tympanic membrane.

Prescription Pain Medications, Antibiotics

Large pharmaceutical corporations promote pain medication, also known as analgesics, and antibiotics for the treatment of ear aches. In particular, analgesics such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen help alleviate pain and lower fever. Additionally, antibiotics are prescribed to fight off ear infections.

Natural Treatment for Ear Pain

Herbal ear drops are a natural treatment for ear pain. Not only is it absolutely safe, it is entirely composed of ingredients found in nature. Studies have concluded that naturopathic drops containing herbal extracts are just as, if not more, effective as traditional over-the-counter ear drops. Furthermore, they provide a broad spectrum of antibacterial properties that aid in fighting infections and alleviating ear ache symptoms.

Natural treatment for ear pain is specialized to fight all variants of ear ailments, including: swimmer's ear and otitis media. As such, it is the one guaranteed approach to ensuring complete cure of ear pain.

Best Natural Treatment for Ear Ache

How to cure ear pain? When it comes to the best natural treatment for ear pain, we recommend three viable options. Each offers an array of unique benefits along with quick relief and no side effects:

1. BioEar — 94 pts.
2. HerbPharm EarOil — 78 pts.
3. Hyland's EaracheDrops — 72 pts.

#1 - BioEar, 94 points out of 100. BioEar is a two-faceted approach specially formulated by a team of experts in natural medicine to help cure ear ache and alleviate pain (homeopathic medicines). The treatment helps improve wellness by maintaining the health and balance of the inner, middle, and outer ears (herbal supplements).

Guarantee: Simply try BioEar for at least 30 days. If you are not completely satisfied - for any reason - return the product within 1 year for a complete refund less shipping fees.

BioEar Ingredients: Belladonna, Echinacea purpurea, Hepar sulphuris calcareum, Levisticum officinale, Passiflora incarnata, Pasque flower, Eastern purple coneflower.

Why #1? EarHeal is clinically proven to reduce ear discomfort and irritation, soothe the ears, and help stimulate the overall immune system.

Order BioEar #2 - HerbPharm EarOil, 78 points out of 100. HerbPharm EarOil is a soothing ear oil, the herbs in this formula are carefully extracted to provide a broad spectrum of benefits to reduce ear discomfort and combat infections.

HerbPharm EarOil Guarantee: not available.

HerbPharm EarOil Ingredients: a proprietary blend of Mullein, Calendula and St. John's Wort flower extracts, and Garlic bulb extract.

Why not #1? This is not a permanent treatment for ear ache. There is no money back guarantee.

Order HerbPharm EarOil #3 - Hyland's EaracheDrops, 72 points out of 100. Hyland's EaracheDrops temporarily relieve the symptoms of fever, pain, throbbing, irritability and sleeplessness associated with ear aches. This natural treatment for ear pain relieves pain and itching associated with swimmer's ear.

Hyland's EaracheDrops Guarantee: not available.

Hyland's EaracheDrops Ingredients: Belladonna, Calcarea Carbonica, Chamomilla, Lycopodium, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Citric Acid USP, Purified Water USP, Sodium Benzoate N.F., Vegetable Glycerine USP.

Why not #1? This is not a permanent natural treatment for ear pain. There is no money back guarantee.

Order Hyland's EaracheDrops

How to Prevent Ear Ache?

Prophylactic measures are undoubtedly the ideal strategy for those seeking ways on how to prevent ear pain. Utilizing this approach, doctor's urge patients to mitigate potential ear infections by taking measures to reduce risk factors.

As with many diseases, smoking is one of the leading ear ache causes. Avoiding smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke can significantly reduce the risk of ear infections.

Moreover, caregivers are advised to ensure that children aren't introducing foreign objects, accidentally or intentionally, into their ear canals. Mechanical injuries can be severe and lead to complications, including inflammation and ear infections. In addition, introduction of water into the ear helps spread bacteria and fungi within the ear canal.

The growth of these deleterious microbes could potentially lead to swimmer's ear. As such, drying of the ears after swimming or bathing should be mandatory practice. Lastly, avoidance of allergy triggers such as dust and pollen will reduce the likelihood of sinus infections and eliminate the development of certain ear ache symptoms.