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What Causes Pain In Right Ear Radiating To Left Side?
Question: I have a bothersome shooting pain on the top of my ear ( helix) that comes and goes. The pain began on my right ear and has now moved to my left side . I get random pains shooting on the top of my head too .
Brief Answer:
TMJ dysfunction or Trigeminal Neuralgia...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query; I will try my best to help you out with this query.
With this brief history of yours, it is indeed difficult to identify the cause of your problem.
In the absence of any trauma to your ear area, the two commonest conditions to affect the ear cartilage are Trigeminal Neuralgia and Temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). While both of these conditions typically affect either the entire side of the face (Trigeminal Neuralgia) or one/both sides of the face, ear and jaw (TMJ) the pain can also present only locally in a small area with both.
Other uncommon causes due to referred pain:
1. Eustachian tube dysfunction
2. Migraine
3. Polychondritis of the ear
4. Otitis externa (inflammation of the outer ear)
The complete examination of the ear is required to arrive at a diagnosis. Hence, consult an apt ENT specialist who can help you out with this problem.
Hope this answer was beneficial to you; revert back to me if you have any further queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
TMJ dysfunction or Trigeminal Neuralgia...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query; I will try my best to help you out with this query.
With this brief history of yours, it is indeed difficult to identify the cause of your problem.
In the absence of any trauma to your ear area, the two commonest conditions to affect the ear cartilage are Trigeminal Neuralgia and Temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). While both of these conditions typically affect either the entire side of the face (Trigeminal Neuralgia) or one/both sides of the face, ear and jaw (TMJ) the pain can also present only locally in a small area with both.
Other uncommon causes due to referred pain:
1. Eustachian tube dysfunction
2. Migraine
3. Polychondritis of the ear
4. Otitis externa (inflammation of the outer ear)
The complete examination of the ear is required to arrive at a diagnosis. Hence, consult an apt ENT specialist who can help you out with this problem.
Hope this answer was beneficial to you; revert back to me if you have any further queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2540 Questions
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