Feeling a pain in your ear when swallowing can negatively impact a fun meal at the Good Life Café. Learning about the common causes of ear pain when swallowing can help you identify the right treatment path toward more enjoyable dining. Let’s look at a couple of common causes and how you can begin to treat them.
Ear Infections
Ear infections are a common cause of ear pain when swallowing. The middle ear is connected to the top of the back of the throat by the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is responsible for balancing pressure in and draining fluid from the middle ear. When the Eustachian tubes become swollen and blocked, mucus builds up in the middle ear and can become infected, leading to the symptoms of an ear infection, including pain when swallowing.
Five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. While adults can get ear infections, children have smaller Eustachian tubes that are more prone to becoming swollen and blocked.
To treat an ear infection, your ENT specialist will likely prescribe antibiotics if the infection causes severe discomfort or does not improve within one week.
Throat Infections
Throat infections such as tonsilitis or pharyngitis can cause inflammation in the throat and ears, leading to painful swallowing.
Treatment for a throat infection varies depending on the type of infection. For example, when treating tonsilitis, your ENT provider may prescribe antibiotics if the infection is bacterial. If it is viral, they will likely suggest home remedies, including:
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Drink tea with honey
- Gurgle saltwater
- Humidify air
If your throat infection is causing painful swallowing or other negative symptoms, make an appointment with your ENT specialist to find the best treatment.
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) causes joint pain on either side of your jaw. Symptoms of TMJ may include:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw, temporomandibular joints and ears
- Painful or difficult chewing
- Locking of the temporomandibular joints
- Tinnitus
Your provider may recommend a combination of medications, physical therapies and surgical procedures to help you manage or treat TMJ.
Ear and throat infections and TMJ are three reasons your ears may hurt when you swallow. Because ear pain can come from multiple sources, making an appointment with your ENT specialist to discuss your symptoms is recommended.
Contact Palmetto ENT & Allergy today to discuss your ear pain with one of our trusted specialists.