Symptoms of otitis media should be familiar to adults and children. This is a common inflammatory disease that can appear in a person at any age. Specialists distinguish several types of it - inflammation of the inner, outer and middle ear. In this article, we will look at the causes, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Structure of the ear
Symptoms of otitis media are generally similar to each other, no matter what type of disease affects the patient. In this case, first you need to figure out what the essence of this pathology is. First of all, let's remember that the ear consists not only of the auricle, but also has inside a complex system for converting sound waves into a form digestible for perception by the human brain. It also performs a vestibular function, helping to maintain balance.
The ear itself consists of three main sections - middle, inner and outer. Before everyone’s eyes, the outer ear is directly the auricle. This also includes the ear canal, which goes to the eardrum. Already behind it is a tympanic cavity filled with air. It contains three important auditory ossicles that help transmit and amplify sound vibrations. This is already the area of the middle ear, it is she who is considered the most prone to otitis media. From here, vibrations are sent to an area located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe temporal bone, which is called the labyrinth. It contains the organ of Corti - a cluster of nerve receptors that convert vibrations into nerve impulses. This is already the area of the inner ear.
The Eustachian tube, located just behind the palatine tonsils, is also of great importance. It ventilates the tympanic cavity, brings the pressure in it into line with atmospheric pressure. It is also referred to as the middle ear.
Features of the disease
Otitis can affect all three ear sections. However, in most cases we are talking only about the unilateral development of the disease. Although otitis media, which is caused by infections of the upper respiratory tract, can develop on both sides of the head.
Depending on the cause, otitis can be bacterial, viral and traumatic. In the case of otitis externa, fungi can also be the cause of the disease. The most common is the bacterial form of the disease.
Otitis externa
The most common cause of otitis externa is infection of the surface of the skin of the auricle with all sorts of fungi or bacteria. According to statistics, about ten percent of the world's population suffered from otitis externa at least once.for your life.
There are several factors that contribute to the appearance of this disease in an adult. These include:
- mechanical damage to the auricle;
- hypercooling of the outer part of the ear due to constant walks in the cold;
- water entering the ear canal;
- Sloppy sulfur removal.
For all kinds of fungi and bacteria, the ear canal is considered a favorable environment, as it is dark, damp and humid enough for them. This is an almost ideal place for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. Most likely, because of this, otitis externa would occur in every person, if not the protective function of our body - earwax. It performs important bactericidal functions, so it is not recommended to completely remove it from the ear. An exception happens only when there is too much sulfur, because of which it begins to affect the perception of sound.
Inflammation of the external auditory canal is usually attributed to one of the skin diseases - candidiasis, dermatitis, furunculosis. The disease is provoked by streptococci, bacteria, fungi of the genus Candida or staphylococci. For example, in the case of furunculosis, a dangerous inflammation of the sebaceous glands occurs.
The main symptom of otitis externa is pain that worsens with pressure. With this disease, the temperature, as a rule, does not rise. Hearing loss is an uncharacteristic symptom of otitis externa. This rarely happens, except when the ear canal is completely blocked by pus or the infection affects the tympanicmembrane. After timely treatment, hearing is fully restored.
Diagnosing otitis externa is quite simple. In most cases, a simple visual examination by a doctor is sufficient. The symptoms of otitis externa are so characteristic that it is quite difficult to make a mistake. Sometimes more detailed diagnostic methods are used. For example, they use a special device called an otoscope, which allows you to view the eardrum and the far end of the hearing aid.
To start treatment on time, the symptoms of otitis externa should be well known to everyone. The very process of dealing with this disease is to eliminate the main cause that led to inflammation. During therapy, doctors prescribe antifungal drugs and antibiotics to the patient. What exactly these medicines will be, only your doctor can determine. In the case of otitis externa, as a rule, tablets are prescribed, not ear drops. In case of damage to the external tissues of the auricle, not located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe auditory canal, various ointments are used.
When this disease occurs, complications may occur. If it is not treated in a timely manner, it will lead to the development of an inflammatory process in the middle ear.
Causes of otitis media
Otitis media is considered one of the most common diseases on the planet. Hundreds of millions of people receive this diagnosis every year. According to the World He alth Organization, between 25 and 60 percent of the world's inhabitants have at leastonce in a lifetime suffered from otitis media.
In the vast majority of cases, the inflammatory process in the middle ear does not become the root cause of human disease. As a rule, this is an infectious disease of the upper respiratory departments or a complication as a result of inflammation of the external auditory canal. Otitis media can be caused by infections such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, as well as some acute viral diseases, such as measles, influenza, scarlet fever.
Infection enters the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. She seems to be thrown there during coughing, sneezing, with particles of sputum or mucus. In some cases, inflammation of the Eustachian tube or inflammation of the middle ear occurs. If the Eustachian tube in the tympanic cavity is blocked, stagnant processes may occur, fluid will begin to accumulate, which will lead to the onset of the disease and the multiplication of bacteria.
Also, allergic reactions, mastoiditis are among the causes of otitis media. All this causes swelling of the mucous membranes.
Otitis media has several varieties. For example, there are acute and chronic forms. And according to the degree of development, they are divided into purulent, exudative and catarrhal otitis media. During purulent inflammation of the ear, pus begins to accumulate in the human body. With exudative otitis media, there is an accumulation of excess fluid in the eardrum.
Symptoms
To start timely treatment, the symptoms of otitis media should be familiar to everyone. In adultspatients, the first manifestation is discomfort and pain in the ear. In this case, the pain can be both shooting and acute. In some cases, it is transferred to the region of the crown or temple, it can subside, pulsate, intensify.
If the patient has exudative otitis, then there is a sensation of splashing water in the ear. Sometimes there is stuffiness in the ear, an indefinite noise, a feeling as if one's own voice is heard. Other symptoms of otitis media in adults include hearing loss, tissue swelling, headaches, and fever. Often this disease is accompanied by an infection - SARS, acute respiratory infections or influenza. In this case, an increase in body temperature is not a symptom of otitis media in adults, but a sign of this infection.
The most difficult disease occurs with a purulent variety of this disease. In this case, the main symptom of acute otitis media is the discharge of pus. It fills the eardrum, while the body temperature rises to 38 - 39 degrees. Purulent exudate may even begin to thin the surface of the eardrum. It forms a hole in it and seeps out. The main thing is not to be afraid of it.
This process generally has a positive effect on the state of human he alth, since due to the removal of pus, the pressure in the cavity decreases, the pain becomes less severe. Pus flows out in acute otitis for about a week. Then the temperature drops, and the wound begins to heal. Knowing the symptoms of acute otitis media, patients will begin treatment in a timely manner. Total durationdisease is two to three weeks, of course, with proper and effective therapy.
Especially it is necessary to be afraid of the chronic form of the disease. It is characterized by a sluggish infectious process, during which there are seasonal bursts, when symptoms of otitis media characteristic of the acute stage occur. Treatment in this case should be intensive in order to relieve the most painful symptoms.
Diagnosis
As soon as you notice this or that suspicious symptom, you should immediately consult a doctor who will confirm or refute your fears. For a consultation, you should go to an otolaryngologist.
When determining otitis media, doctors use an amusing diagnostic sign. The patient should puff out the cheeks. If at the same time the membrane remains motionless, this indicates that air from the nasopharynx does not enter it, which means that the Eustachian tube is blocked. Inspection of the membrane separating the outer and middle ear should be carried out using an otoscope, which in this case will reveal some characteristic signs, such as redness or outward protrusion of the eardrum.
In some cases, computed tomography, blood tests, radiography are used for diagnosis.
Treatment methods
Compared to otitis externa, otitis media is much more difficult to treat. However, in most cases, specialists still limit themselves to conservative therapy, which turns out to be very effective.
It should be noted that whenIn acute otitis media, it does not make sense to use ear antibacterial drops, since they will not be able to reach the focus of inflammation. However, when the place immediately adjacent to the eardrum is inflamed, it is recommended to instill painkillers and anti-inflammatory drops into the ear. They are absorbed by the eardrum, and the substance reaches the middle part of the auditory organ.
The main method of therapy for both adults and children with symptoms of otitis media is antibacterial drugs. As a rule, they are taken in the form of tablets, but with a rupture of the eardrum, ear drops with antibiotics are also used. The course of specific medicines is prescribed only by the attending physician. He also chooses the type of antibiotics, since many of them have an ototoxic effect. Therefore, their use can cause permanent hearing loss and should be taken with extreme caution.
Penicillin antibiotics, macrolides, amoxicillins, cephalosporins demonstrate maximum effectiveness in the treatment of symptoms of otitis media and the root causes of the disease itself. It is the latter substance that has an ototoxic effect, so it is not recommended to inject it directly through the catheter into the ear or instill it into the ear canal, especially if the eardrum is affected. During therapy, Miramistin, various antiseptics can also be used.
Be sure to prescribe painkillers for otitis media. They help relieve pain. Drops with lidocaine or other pain medication are well suited for this.
If one ofsymptoms of otitis media in adults perforation of the membrane, for its healing will require scarring stimulants. In particular, 40% silver nitrate and iodine solution.
To relieve swelling and inflammation, nonsteroidal drugs and glucocorticoids are suitable. With exudative otitis media and allergic reactions, it is recommended to use antihistamines. You should also take drugs that will thin the exudate. In case of purulent discharge, it is imperative to clean the ear canal from pus by washing it with a weak stream of water.
When otitis media, many have been using heating for a long time. It is worth noting that this method will only help with certain types of disease. For example, with a purulent form, it is contraindicated, it can only aggravate the disease. At the same time, in the catarrhal stage, warming up, on the contrary, can help to establish blood flow to the infected area, speed up the patient's recovery process.
Heat is one of the effective methods to reduce the pain of otitis media. Most importantly, do not start warming up on your own without consulting your doctor. Only a doctor will be able to tell whether this remedy will be effective in your case, whether it will bring relief. If heat is contraindicated, it can be replaced by physiotherapy.
Surgical methods are also used in the treatment of the middle ear. Especially with a purulent variant, when there is a possibility of rapid development of the disease and complications. The operation in this case is aimed at removing pus from the eardrum. It is also carried out for drainage of internal areas with mastoiditis.
Foreustachian tubes may need special catheters through which drugs are administered.
It makes sense to use folk remedies for otitis media only in the early stages of the disease, after consulting with your doctor, who must give his approval.
Inner ear disease
One of the complications of otitis media is that the infection can spread to the inner ear, causing labyrinthitis. Of all the varieties of otitis media, it is the most dangerous. Symptoms of otitis media - vestibular disorders, hearing loss, severe pain.
This disease threatens with complete hearing loss of the patient if the auditory nerve dies. Also, as complications of labyrinthitis, a brain abscess, meningitis, encephalitis can appear. These diseases can lead to the death of the patient.
Otitis media symptoms are treated with antibiotics. The main thing is not to use folk remedies. Not only will they not help, but they will also deprive you of precious time that could be spent on effective treatment.
Disease in children
More often than in adults, otitis occurs in children. The reason for this is that the body of babies is much weaker, in addition, the structure of the auditory tube contributes to stagnant processes. It has a straight profile, and the enlarged lumen at the entrance makes it easier for mucus to get there, and in some cases also vomit and piecesfood, especially in infants.
Knowing the symptoms, it is important to treat otitis media in children in a timely manner so that the disease does not become chronic. In addition, if not treated in infancy, this disease can cause partial hearing loss and mental retardation.
The difficulty lies in the fact that the symptoms of otitis media in a child, especially under the age of one year, may not be at all. Therefore, making a correct diagnosis is often incredibly difficult. For example, if a baby begins to pick at his ear, this can be either a sign of pain or just a habit.
To establish whether the baby is really experiencing pain, it is recommended to press on a small protrusion near the auricle, which is also called the tragus. If the child's ear does not hurt, then, most likely, he will not react to this pressing in any way.
Prevention
Now that you know more about the symptoms, treatment of otitis media in adults should begin as early as possible. Do not over tighten to avoid complications. To do this, carry out effective prevention methods.
First of all, hypothermia of the body should be avoided, as well as the ingress of dirty water (for example, from rivers, lakes) into the ear passages. Treat inflammatory pathologies of the upper respiratory tract in a timely manner. We are talking about diseases such as sinusitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis.
While swimming, be sure to use a special cap. In winter and autumn, go outside only in a headdress,avoid drafts.
