Ear Ache

I have, as I am typing, a rather painful ache in my left ear. It started last night at around 10:15 p.m. I woke up this morning and it is dramatically worse. The other ear is perfectly fine. I was thinking about all the things that have happened to me that could have caused my ache. I was only able to think of our pool. We have a pool and I recently bought dive sticks for my son and I. We were in the pool for hours yesterday, diving for the sticks. I think maybe I broke a blood vessel in my ear because of the increased pressure under water. Is this accurate and is there anything I can do about it?

The ache is characterized by a dull throb punctuated by sharp pains.

Thank you.

[torque]

I have never broken a blood vessel, but I have gotten numerous ear aches. I usually take a couple of motrin and apply heat to my ear. If it doesnt go away in a couple of days, I call my doc, just to rule out infection. You could have gotten water in there, causing swimmer's ear. I hope this helps!! Good luck to you! I know how painful it can  be!!