it was bound to happen. i’m surprised it hadnt happened before now ….. i have a middle ear infection.
i woke up during the night with my right ear half aching and half itching.
today i am off to see the doctor as i am supposed to be working in the pool with students this week and then guiding dives both saturday and sunday at the Poor Knights.
i’m loathe to ask the doctor as to whether i should be diving as i am pretty sure the answer will be no.
i thought i would go and do a little research and see just how will a middle ear infection affect my diving?
Middle Ear Infection
the middle ear includes the eardrum (a thin layer of tissue) and three tiny bones called ossicles. to function properly, the middle ear must be at the same pressure as the outside world. This is taken care of by the eustachian tube, a small passage that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat behind the nose.
By letting air reach the middle ear, the eustachian tube equalizes the air pressure in the middle ear to the outside air pressure.
(When your ears “pop” while yawning or swallowing, the eustachian tubes are adjusting the air pressure in your middle ears.)
The eustachian tube also allows for drainage of mucus from the middle ear into the throat.
Sometimes, the eustachian tube may malfunction.
For example, when someone has a cold or an allergy affecting the nasal passages, the eustachian tube may become blocked by congestion in its lining or by mucus within the tube. This blockage will allow fluid to build up within the normally air-filled middle ear.
Bacteria or viruses that have entered the middle ear through the eustachian tube can also get trapped in this way. These germs can breed in the trapped fluid, eventually leading to an ear infection.
Inflammation in the middle ear area is known as otitis media.
When referring to an ear infection, doctors most likely mean “acute otitis media” rather than the common ear infection called swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa. Acute otitis media is the presence of fluid, typically pus, in the middle ear with symptoms of pain, redness of the eardrum, and possible fever.
Doctors try to distinguish between the different forms of otitis because this affects treatment options. Not all forms of otitis need to be treated with antibiotics.
The primary symptom of otitis externa is ear pain, which can be severe and gets worse when the earlobe or other exterior part of the ear is pulled or pressed on. It may also be painful for a person with otitis externa to chew. Sometimes the ear canal itches before the pain begins.
Swelling of the ear canal may give you the feeling of a full or uncomfortable feeling in the ear.
The outer ear may become reddened or swollen, and lymph nodes around the ear may become enlarged and tender. There may be some discharge from the ear canal as well; it may be clear at first but then turn cloudy, yellowish, and pus-like. Hearing may temporarily be affected if pus and debris or swelling of the canal blocks the passage of sound into the ear. Fever is not common in typical cases of otitis externa.
