What medicine should I take if I have a cold or earache?
Colds are common respiratory diseases, usually accompanied by symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, and sore throat. However, some patients also experience ear pain during a cold, which may be caused by inflammation of the nasopharynx that spreads to the Eustachian tube (Eustachian tube). This article will combine the popular health topics on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with detailed answers to the medication recommendations and precautions for colds and earaches.
1. Common causes of colds and earaches
Ear pain when you have a cold is often related to:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Eustachian tube obstruction | Inflammation of the nasopharynx causing swelling of the Eustachian tube and imbalance of pressure in the middle ear |
| secondary otitis media | Bacteria or viruses that infect the middle ear through the Eustachian tube |
| Sinusitis spreads | Sinus inflammation spreads to adjacent ear structures |
2. Recommend drug treatment plan
For the symptoms of cold and earache, you can choose the following medicines according to different situations:
| Symptom type | Recommended medicine | Mechanism of action | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Eustachian tube obstruction | Pseudoephedrine (decongestant) Ibuprofen (pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory) | Shrink nasal mucosal blood vessels and relieve swelling Inhibit prostaglandin synthesis | Use decongestants with caution in patients with hypertension |
| suspected bacterial otitis media | Amoxicillin (antibiotic) Acetaminophen (reduces fever and relieves pain) | Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis Block pain signaling | Antibiotics need to be used after diagnosis by a doctor |
| Caused by allergic factors | Loratadine (antihistamine) Nasal corticosteroids | Block histamine receptors Reduce local inflammation | Long-term use of hormones requires medical advice |
3. Adjuvant treatment measures
In addition to medication, the following methods can help relieve symptoms:
| method | Operating Instructions | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| chewing action | Chew sugarless gum or simulate chewing movements | Promote Eustachian tube opening |
| Warm compress | Apply a warm towel to the affected ear for 10-15 minutes | Improve local blood circulation |
| Nasal irrigation | Use a saline nasal spray or nasal rinse | Reduce nasopharyngeal secretions |
4. When Do You Need Medical Treatment?
It is recommended to seek medical treatment immediately when the following situations occur:
| red flag | possible prompt |
|---|---|
| Severe earache that lasts more than 48 hours | acute suppurative otitis media |
| High fever (body temperature >38.5℃) | severe bacterial infection |
| Ear canal discharge or bleeding | Possible tympanic membrane perforation |
| Significant hearing loss | middle ear fluid or nerve damage |
5. Preventive measures
To prevent ear discomfort caused by colds, note:
| Precautions | Specific methods |
|---|---|
| Blowing your nose correctly | Blowing nostrils on one side alternately to avoid using too much force |
| Enhance immunity | Eat a balanced diet and supplement vitamin C in an appropriate amount |
| Avoid secondhand smoke | Smoke can irritate the respiratory tract and Eustachian tubes |
| Get vaccinated | Flu vaccine may reduce risk of colds |
6. Special reminder
1. Do not use ear drops yourself unless you have a clear diagnosis of otitis externa
2. Children’s Eustachian tubes are shorter and flatter than those of adults, making them more prone to otitis media and require special attention.
3. If you catch a cold while traveling by plane or diving, it is recommended to postpone your trip.
4. Long-term use of headphones may aggravate ear discomfort, so use them less during illness.
The content of this article combines recent discussion hot spots in medical forums and guidelines and recommendations from authoritative organizations. It should be noted that individual differences are large, please consult your doctor or pharmacist for specific medication. If symptoms persist or worsen, be sure to seek medical treatment promptly to avoid delays in treatment.
check the details
check the details
en
