Although a lot of common in children, ear infections happen in people of any ages. Frequently, ear infections are complications of the cold or a respiratory infection, but they likewise can arise from irritants such as water being caught inside the ear.
Sleeping With Ear Infections
Individuals with ear infections frequently experience sharp pain, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of fullness or pressure inside the ear, which is caused by fluid pushing versus the eardrum. Many people with ear infections begin to feel much better within 2 to 3 days after starting a recommended course of antibiotics.
Step 1
Take a painkiller such acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin prior to bedtime. Never give aspirin to children under the age of 2 or children and teenagers with chickenpox or flu-like symptoms due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a condition that causes swelling in the brain and liver.
Step 2
Prop up your head with several pillows, which can help clear the Eustachian tubes. To elevate the head of your bed, place 5- to 6-inch wood blocks under the bed feet, or buy a wedge pillow, offered at numerous medical supply stores and drug stores, which you can place between your mattress and box springs.
Step 3
Drink water before you falling asleep. Ingesting can help activate the muscles that help the Eustachian tubes open and drain, thus reducing pain.
Step 4
Take a non-prescription decongestant or nasal spray before you falling asleep, if your ear infection is associated with sinus or nasal blockage. You can likewise try a decongestant nose spray, mentions iytmed.com. Only use a nasal decongestant for a day or two, as overuse can worsen nasal congestion.
Step 5
Place a few drops of warm olive or garlic oil and a drop of mullein oil or lobelia oil– available at numerous natural supermarket and pharmacies– in your ears, then plug your ears freely with cotton balls.
Cautions
See a doctor if you experience any hearing loss or if your ears are plugged for more than two to three days. Untreated ear infections can cause permanent hearing loss in both children and adults.
If you experience an unexpected sharp pain, followed by drain of blood or pus in the ear, see a doctor instantly, as you may have a perforated eardrum.
Tips
Remove dairy products foods from your diet while you have an ear infection, as these foods increase mucus production, making it harder for the ears to drain pipes.
See an ear, nose and throat specialist if you suffer from chronic ear infections.
Things You’ll Need
- Acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin
- Pillows
- 5- to 6-inch wood blocks
- Wedge pillow
- Decongestant or nasal spray
- Olive or garlic oil
- Mullein or lobelia oil
