Is Pain In Right Ear When Swallowing Hard Food A Symptom Of Ear Infection?

Posted on Thu, 11 Aug 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 Answered on

Sat, 27 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. I am having this pain in my right ear. It happens only when I swallow hard food or while moving my head when I am asleep. I think its an ear infection. Is there any tablets or over the counter eardrops which I can use?

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Needs detailed throat and outer ear examination

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is sad to know what you had been experiencing lately.

Based on the history you have shared, it can be due to throat or pharyngeal infection or inflammation of tonsils and it may be extending upto eustachian tube which drains middle ear into the throat and helps keeping ear pressures normal inside ear. It may be the cause of ear pains in that side.

You may need to have a detailed throat and outer ear examination and proceed with symptomatic management like using decongestants and anti histamines like cetrizine or loratidine. For pains OTC analgesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used. If signs of infection are found like fever or on blood work up an antibiotics course of augmentin or azithromycin may be needed.

Meanwhile saline water gargles and chewing bubble on affected side may help with both throat and ear symptoms.

Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards. .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng