The ear and throat are connected. That is why when one of them presents an alteration, the other can also be affected in a short time. When one of these two minimal parts of the body hurts, the symptoms they produce can be very cumbersome and annoying.
This sore throat and ear can occur together or separately, which will guide as to the origin or causes of the problem. Both parts are connected, so it is not surprising that when the pain in the throat occurs, it can extend to the ear. This is due to the presence of the Eustachian tube, a tube that keeps fluids away from the middle ear and that can become partially inflamed, clogging and causing a sore throat, which generates an increase in pressure and causes an earache. . At FastlyHealwe will guide you as to what are the causes of sore throat and ear: what to take and remedies to eliminate them.
Causes of sore throat and ear
As for sore throat, the main ones are persistent alterations such as:
- Viral infections: within this group, those that cause a sore throat are the common cold, mononucleosis, chickenpox, or measles.
- Bacterial infections: the most common are those caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or group A streptococcus.
- Allergies: the main ones are animal hair, mold, pollen, dust, all of which can cause a sore throat.
- Dryness: produced by the dry air product of breathing through the mouth due to nasal congestion or some chronic alteration.
- Inhaling irritants: the air is very polluted and can irritate the throat. The same happens with cigarette smoke or chemical agents, among others.
- Muscle tension: this can appear from straining the throat muscles when yelling, speaking loudly, or for a long time without resting.
- Gastric diseases: for example, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). In this case, the sore throat can be caused by stomach acids, which accumulate in the esophagus and can cause pain, hoarseness, or irritation.
- Tumors: the presence of increased volume in the throat, tongue, larynx can cause pain.
On the other hand, earache can be caused by the involvement of the ear, otitis being the most common. However, there are other causes of earache :
- Common cold.
- Bacterial, viral or fungal infections.
- Allergies
- Prolonged cough
- Dental or jaw diseases.
- Inflammation of the Eustachian tube.
- Auditory obstruction due to the presence of cerumen or foreign body.
- Changes in atmospheric pressure.
Earache is a symptom that guides us to detect other diseases that may appear. That is why it is essential to see a doctor when pain appears so that he can teach you about the best treatment.
Depending on the cause of the sore throat and ear, the most advisable thing is to go to the specialist. In this case, the otorhinolaryngologist will be in charge of indicating the treatment according to the symptoms present and requesting the necessary studies to make the precise diagnosis.
What to take and remedies to use
There are a group of medications indicated depending on the patient’s symptoms. In pain and inflammation in the throat and ear, analgesics and anti-inflammatories should be taken. It is essential to consider the prior assessment of the specialist doctor in the matter. He will be in charge of identifying the type of condition that he presents, diagnosing if it is of viral or bacterial origin, and proceeding with the prescription of antibiotics if it is the product of a bacterial infection. Otherwise, the treatment will be indicated according to the symptoms they present.
Home remedies for sore throat and ear
The moment you have a sore throat, you must bear in mind that it is a warning that there is a health problem, so it must be treated immediately to avoid general discomfort, nasal disorders, or, in the worst case, complications more serious. Among the natural remedies for the throat, those that reduce inflammation and pain can be mentioned. Among them are:
- Garlic: its use is excellent to counteract infectious processes of bacterial or viral origin that can affect the throat.
- Echinacea or goldenseal: these are plants that act at the immune system level and improve sore throats.
- Cayenne pepper, blackberry, and raspberry leaves: are used for gargling and relieving a sore throat. This procedure can be done about three times a day.
- Honey and lemon: it is an excellent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Its use is ideal as a gargle about three times a day.
- Drink ginger and cinnamon tea: it can calm pain and be consumed up to 4 times a day.
Ear pain remedies
Earaches can be soothed with home and natural treatments obtaining immediate benefits without chemicals or additives that could produce side effects. The best known are:
- Ginger sticks: have a great anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect; for this reason, it relieves earache. To do this, the ginger must be cut into bars of approximately 2 cm and placed inside the ear for 10 minutes.
- Inhalations of steam from chamomile: chamomile has a decongestant effect. It allows the discharge of secretions from the nose and ear, lowering the pressure and decongesting it. To take the inhalations, you should place a towel on your head and put the boiling chamomile water in front of the nose to inhale the steam.
- Garlic Oil: In addition to having antibiotic properties, garlic is an excellent pain reliever that can be used to soothe an earache. To achieve this last effect, the garlic clove is crushed and placed in a container with two tablespoons of sesame oil, and then the container is placed in the microwave for 2 or 3 minutes. The preparation is then strained and placed in the form of drops in the ear with the pain.
The main thing is to relieve ear and throat pain. It is essential to follow the medical guidelines. Only then will you achieve the expected results. Do not hesitate to consult with your doctor. He will indicate the therapy you need according to the symptoms you present.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Sore throat and ear: causes, what to take, and remedies, we recommend entering our Ear, nose, and throat category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.