Why there is a headache behind the ears?

Sometimes people have a headache behind their ears. This happens for various reasons - perhaps unpleasant sensations are caused by a violation of blood circulation. In some cases, pain behind the ear can be caused by an inflammatory process in the parotid salivary glands, or in the ear and cavities of the mastoid process of the temporal bone. Sometimes the pain in the parotid region occurs with osteochondrosis. In all cases, you need to see a doctor.

Why does it hurt for the ears?

Is the head behind the ear hurting? The most probable causes of this condition are:

1. Inflammation of the middle and inner ear( otitis media).
2. Accumulation of pus in the cavities of the mastoid process - mastoiditis.
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3. Lymphadenitis.
4. Parotite.
5. Rough cork.
6. Neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve.
7. Diseases of the teeth and gums.
8. Injuries.
9. Circulatory disorders.

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Mastoiditis

Why does the headache behind the ears? The area behind the ear is the location of the mastoid process of the temporal bone. Normally, this bone formation contains cavities filled with air. In inflammatory processes caused by a bacterial or viral infection, pus accumulates in the air spaces of the bone located behind the ear. This causes a feeling of pain behind the ear. Complication of mastoiditis is an inflammation of the temporal bone.

Inflammation of the ears

Infectious processes in the outer, middle, inner ear can also cause pain in the area behind the ear. Inflammation from the outside is usually caused by a fungal infection, and pathogenic processes in the inner ear are more likely to be triggered by a bacterial infection. Otitis can cause shooting or aching pain not only in the ear itself, but also behind it. Sometimes inflammation in the ear can result in damage to the auditory nerve due to rupture of the tympanic membrane and the breakdown of pus.

Lymphadenitis

This is an inflammation of the lymph nodes located next to the auricles. The reason is infection in the body. It is captured by the lymph node and is destroyed in it by immune cells. However, when the infection persists, inflammation develops.

Parotitis

Parotitis is an inflammation of the parotid salivary gland. This pathological process causes a headache behind the ears. The cause of the inflammatory reaction can be a virus of mumps or rubella, or a bacterial infection in people with weakened immunity, septic conditions. Sjogren's disease, which leads to the clogging of the salivary glands and dryness in the mouth, the soreness in the behind-eye region is an autoimmune pathology.

Sulfur or foreign object in the ear

Sulfur consists of fats and antimicrobial substances that render harmless microorganisms entering the auditory meatus, and also prevent the penetration of dirt. However, with its excessive allocation of corium glands, the plugs form in the ear canal. This creates not only problems with hearing, but also pain in the parotid part of the head. The formation of plugs and the packing of sulfur is facilitated by the use of cotton buds.

Important! In children, the cause of soreness behind the ear may be foreign objects that fall into the ear canal.

Neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve

This disease is provoked by hypothermia or inflammation of the trigeminal nerve caused by various neuroinfections or autoimmune processes. This cranial nerve is responsible for the sensitivity of the skin of the parotid region. Therefore, if it is damaged, pain in the head behind the ear may occur.

Diseases of the teeth and gums

If the head hurts behind the ears, there may be caries of the posterior teeth( molars and premolars), abscess of the gums and other diseases of the oral cavity. The oral cavity is innervated by the cranial nerves, which also control the ears of the head. Granulomatous inflammation of the gums or abscess can lead to unpleasant sensations in the head.

Injuries

Head injuries near the mastoid process cause pain in the corresponding area. Possible as bruises, and fractures of the temporal bone in the place of the mastoid process. Sometimes there is a flow of liquor from the ear, which means damage to the system of the ventricles and aqueducts of the brain. Liquor is a fluid that circulates in the brain and spinal cord.

Circulatory disturbance

If the headache is behind the ears, the reasons may be in the disorder of the cerebral circulation. This is due to spasm, vasodilation. In elderly people, the probable cause is an atherosclerotic process in the arteries of the brain( see Atherosclerosis of the Brain Vessels).

Fatigue

After a busy day, workers may experience muscle spasm. Against the background of muscle contraction there is a tension headache. With a headache behind your ears, you need to visit a neurologist to avoid abusus pain due to self-medication.

Diagnosis and treatment of

To eliminate the headache behind the ears, the reasons for it should be carefully studied and eliminated. For diagnosis, the MRI of the head is performed. The examination is carried out by a neurologist, otorhinolaryngologist.

Treatment of headache behind the ears depends on the causes of its occurrence. If discomfort is caused by inflammation in the ear, then antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs should be used against inflammation. With external, middle otitis, drops of Sophradex, Candibiotics, Otinum, etc. are used. It is possible to connect antibiotic therapy.

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Mastoiditis is an inflammation of the mastoid process that can go into osteomyelitis. Treatment of mastoiditis and other pathogenic inflammatory processes consists in antibiotic therapy. Antibacterial agents will cause resorption of purulent exudate.

In case of a headache of tension behind the ear, muscle relaxants or anticonvulsants are needed. If the disease is associated with the accumulation of sulfur in the ear, by sealing it, it is necessary to clean both ears with a syringe from Janet. On sale there are special means that dissolve earwax at home: Acerumen.

Disorders of cerebral circulation, leading to headache behind the ear, are corrected with the help of vasodilators, with migraines - by means narrowing the vessels( tryptans, derivatives of ergotamine).