He winter It is synonymous with cold. And with the drop in temperatures, the risk of coldsas well as ear infections. In fact, you bother them otitis They are one of the main reasons for medical consultation at this time of year. Also the rhinitis It is associated with these colds. In the following post we share four key tips to avoid otitis in winter.
What is otitis media?
Otitis media is, as we indicated at the beginning, the main reason why people go to the doctor during the winter months. This confirms it Juan Royodoctor in otorhinolaryngology and who answers the questions of users in the hearing health community Living Sound. Royo remembers that otitis is caused by an accumulation of fluid behind the ear. eardrumwhich causes inflammation of the middle ear which can affect one or both ears at the same time. “This is a very painful infection for the patient. However, if treated properly, it does not cause permanent hearing problems.”, emphasizes this specialist. A general advice? Dr. Juan Royo is clear: “Properly protecting our ears during the winter is essential so that they are not harmed by any infection.”“.
The elderly and children, the most vulnerable to otitis
If we talk about otitis, older people and children are the most vulnerable and, therefore, the ones who should take the most precautions. The reason for this greater exposure is that their immune system is especially sensitive to external aggressions, which makes them much more susceptible to suffering from hearing disorders during this time of year. In the case of the youngest, the appearance of the so-called serous or secretory otitis media, which is characterized by the accumulation of mucus in the ears. Royo warns that “here there is a risk of hearing loss, “So protecting children from the cold to avoid colds or catarrhs is vital.”
Four tips to prevent otitis in winter
Taking into account the need to prevent the appearance of otitis in winter, we share four key tips to avoid an ear infection.
- Protect yourself from the cold. The first recommendation is to keep, as much as possible, our ears protected from low temperatures. As? We can use earmuffs or put a wool capaccessories that will help us insulate ourselves from the cold, avoiding the penetration of microbes and, consequently, certain disorders typical of this climate.
- Follow a balanced diet. Dr. Juan Royo appeals to the importance of strengthening our defenses: “Betting on a diet that prevents the decline of our body’s defenses is one of the main guidelines to follow if we want to strengthen our ears”. A diet rich in Vitamin B-12, which is found in foods such as milk, eggs, liver, red meat, pollen or aloe vera, has, for example, very positive effects on hearing health.
- Keep your ears clean. Ear hygiene is key. And seawater diffusers can be a very good ally. Quite the opposite of the swabs or similar objectswhich could cause injuries.
- Check your hearing. Yes, this is the main advice: prevention before cure. And after having had an ear infection or having suffered any type of infection, it is very important to always undergo a hearing check. According to Dr. Royo, this review “It will help us rule out possible hearing impairments and follow the treatment indicated in each case.”
