Ear Infection Symptoms

Why Smoking Increases The Chance For Symptoms Of Ear Infection

 Symptoms of ear infections are known to be commonplace among babies and young children. While it’s usual for a child to have at least one ear infection during the course of their childhood, even without any external influences, research shows that cigarette smoke can increase the chance of symptoms of ear infection. The reasons for this mostly have to do with the way children get ear infections as well as the way cigarette smoke affects the nose and ears.  

A small tube called the Eustachian tube runs between the nose and ears. Bacteria getting into this Eustachian tube cause the most common type of ear infection, Otitis Media, or middle ear infection. This bacterium often lives in the throat and gets into the Eustachian tube because of congestion caused by cold or allergies.

Irritants, such as cigarette smoke, can also encourage bacteria growth in the Eustachian and the middle ear.  The reason symptoms of ear infection are more common among children is that the Eustachian tube is much shorter in children thereby allowing a shorter route for the bacterium from the nose into the ear. Once the bacterium enters the middle ear, it grows in the warm moist environment and causes the onset of Otitis Media.

While some adults, especially those around cigarette smoke, do experience ear infections it is much less frequently than in children. Cigarette smokes makes this whole process worse by thickening the mucus that runs in the nasal passage that normally prevents bacterium from progressing up the Eustachian tube. In fact studies have shown a 48% increase in the reoccurrence of ear infections among children with a parent who smokes compared to children who live in a smoke-free environment.

Preventing the onset of symptoms of ear infection is only one of many good reasons to avoid exposing your children to cigarette smoke. If you child currently has an ear infection and is being exposed to cigarette smoke there is a chance that the infection will last longer or may become worse. It is best to keep your child away from cigarette smoke at all times, but especially when they are ill.