Shooting pain in the ear can be both a sign of ear diseases directly, and pathologies that are not associated with this organ. Moreover, in some cases, it is characterized by the symmetry of the lesion, in other cases the symptom develops on one side or the other.
Most often, the reasons for the development of this symptom are the following pathological conditions:
- acute inflammatory processes in the ear;
- purulent processes of the parotid region;
- acute inflammation of the throat;
- acute lymphadenitis;
- inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity;
- neuralgia;
- arthrosis of the joints of the upper and lower jaw.
Ear infection
The symptoms of ear damage are varied, but the most pathognomonic of them is pain. The nature of the pain depends on the localization of the pathological process, the degree of severity.
Most often, shooting pain in the ear is due to the development of acute otitis media.
In this case, exudate is formed in the middle ear cavity, which exerts pressure on the walls of the tympanic cavity. The consequence of this effect is a bursting, pressing pain or shooting in the ear. The pain syndrome is characterized by its intensity. Patients may cry out and sleep is disturbed.
This pathology is supported by additional symptoms, such as hearing loss, deterioration in general condition, and increased body temperature. The most reliable way to clarify this pathology is otoscopy. A specialist, having determined the presence of a bulging eardrum, is able to easily diagnose acute purulent otitis media and explain why it shoots in the ear.
This symptomatology is also characteristic if the process is localized in the area of the external auditory canal or auricle. Moreover, this symptom is most typical for the local nature of otitis externa.
Shoots in the ear in the presence of a boil in the external auditory canal.
Patients describe complaints as twitching, aching, shooting pains. The diagnosis in this case does not cause difficulties, since the focus of purulent skin lesions is available for visual examination.
In the presence of this pathology, it is contraindicated to carry out heating procedures in this area, since they will contribute to the spread of inflammation to other areas.
The disease tends to regress, which is facilitated by the application of absorbable ointments and the treatment of the lesion with antiseptic solutions.
Eustachite
Less pronounced symptoms are characteristic of the development of the inflammatory process in the auditory tube. Edema, the presence of mucus and pathogens in the Eustachian tube cause the development of similar symptoms. Confirmation of this diagnosis is nasal congestion, the presence of mucous discharge, and other catarrhal signs indicating the development of ARVI in the patient. Conducting drug treatment, including vasoconstrictor nasal drops, will help prevent Eustachitis from further spreading the infection and developing otitis media.
Another reason, when shooting in the ear, can be inflammatory diseases of the throat, such as sore throat, laryngitis. The spread of the process leads to the involvement of the auditory tube into it, which is manifested by the development of this symptom. In this case, it most often shoots in the ear when swallowing.
Unilateral defeat
The development of symptoms when shooting behind the ear is characteristic of any acute purulent inflammation of the skin in the parotid region. It can be a festering atheroma, abscess of the parotid gland, regional lymphadenitis. In most cases, this pathology is characterized by an asymmetric lesion, in which it shoots in the ear from the right side or from the left. At the same time, the lesion focus looks reddened, edematous. There is a local rise in temperature.
Older patients may complain of shooting in the ear on the left side. The reasons for such a unilateral lesion may be due to the presence of arthritic changes in the joints. The disease most often affects the knee, hip joints, spine. However, it can occur with the involvement of the joints of the upper or lower jaw in the process, with a predominant lesion on the right or left side. Since changes in the articular-ligamentous apparatus in the elderly are a very common pathology, it is possible to dwell on this reason, excluding more serious diseases that require urgent measures.
A pathology that is not associated with diseases of the ENT organs, but also manifests itself by shooting in the right or left ear, are inflammatory processes of the teeth and gums.
In this case, there is an increase in pain when tapping the affected tooth, or the same reaction is noted to touching an inflamed gum.
Sanitation of the oral cavity and solution of dental problems in a short time will normalize the situation.
Trigeminal neuralgia is manifested by a pronounced pain syndrome that affects half of the face. Pathognomonic is its paroxysmal character, resembling lumbago, a change is noted
facial expressions, impaired sensitivity. Touching the affected part of the face is accompanied by increased pain.
In the presence of shooting pain, it is important to collect the entire complex of accompanying symptoms.
To clarify the diagnosis, it may be necessary to consult several specialists, including an otolaryngologist, neuropathologist, surgeon, as well as additional examinations. If there are signs of purulent inflammation, it is necessary to consult a specialist as soon as possible to clarify the diagnosis.
