Among the available diseases of the human hearing apparatus, doctors distinguish acute suppurative otitis media. Inflammation spreads quite quickly from the eardrums through the auditory tube, affecting the mastoid process.
Incompletely cured colds, runny nose, SARS, rhinitis, penetration into the ear of an infection caused by pathogenic bacteria and fungi can provoke the development of a violation. It is very important to recognize the course of the disease in a timely manner and carry out treatment, since the disease can provoke many complications.
Feature of the disease
Acute suppurative otitis media has ICD-10 code H66.0. Medical workers refer it to complex and dangerous diseases. Pathology can proceed in completely different ways, and treatment is selected strictly separately, depending on the results of the study.
Sometimes patients still manage to effectively eliminate the disease at the initial stages of development, the most important thing ispay attention to the problem in a timely manner. Often, otitis media is complicated by the occurrence of adhesions, which lead to hearing loss and gradually turn into a chronic progressive form.
Basically, signs of acute suppurative otitis media are observed in children under 3 years of age. Sometimes relapses are recorded, and the disease is very difficult. A feature of the purulent form of pathology is an acute onset and a rather sluggish course.
Stages of disease
Doctors distinguish three stages of acute purulent otitis media, characterized by certain signs. In particular, these stages are:
- preperforative;
- perforated;
- reparative.
The first of these is considered the initial form of the course of the disease. It is characterized by the absence of symptoms, or the signs are not too pronounced. The main symptoms are the presence of painful sensations in the ear. Moreover, soreness can also manifest itself in the temple, forehead, which provokes very strong discomfort.
Over time, the severity of the symptoms increases, as the focus of inflammation expands, and it is simply unbearable to endure them. Even painkillers do not give the desired result. Along with rather severe pain, noise and ringing in the ears, constant congestion, which further aggravates the person's well-being, additionally appear. The patient gradually begins to hear much worse, and this develops especially strongly if otitis media progresses against the background of the flu.
In addition to all these signs, it is noteddeterioration in general well-being, the temperature rises, the body aches. There are pronounced symptoms of intoxication, which must be de alt with immediately, otherwise quite serious complications may arise.
The next stage of acute purulent otitis media is more difficult - perforative. It begins immediately after the rupture of the eardrum, from which pus begins to flow. In this case, the pain gradually subsides. A person begins to feel much better, the temperature decreases or disappears completely. In the first days after the rupture of the membrane, the discharge of pus will be quite strong, and small patches of blood may appear. Patients note the presence of a constant pulsation. Gradually, the amount of purulent discharge begins to decrease, and they become thicker and more viscous. Acute perforated purulent otitis media requires urgent medical intervention, as this form is quite dangerous and provokes various kinds of complications.
The reparative stage of the disease is characterized by the cessation of pus release, as well as the rapid healing of the wound. After that, the person begins to hear normally, the temperature returns to normal, and the state of he alth improves. In some cases, the disease can proceed sluggishly, there is no rupture of the eardrum and leakage of purulent contents. The temperature remains constantly elevated, the hearing does not return, and the soreness does not go away. At the initial stage of the course of the disease, vomiting, headache, and dizziness also join other symptoms.
Thisoccurs with prolonged maturation of pus and the formation of perforation. If this happens, then the infection can spread deep into the skull, leading to irreparable consequences.
Causes of occurrence
According to statistics, mainly acute suppurative otitis media develops due to the penetration of staphylococci. Sometimes provocateurs of the disease are pneumococci. Proteus, diphtheria bacillus and otomycosis fungi provoke inflammation much less often.
Often, pathogens and infections enter the eardrums through the auditory tube. During normal functioning, it eliminates bacteria, protecting the ear canals from the development of pathological processes. During the course of a cold and other infectious processes, the functionality of the Eustachian tube is weakened and pathogens are activated. As a result, acute purulent otitis media begins to develop in a child and an adult.
Otolaryngologists identify several provoking factors, in particular such as:
- pharyngitis;
- rhinitis;
- tonsillitis;
- laryngitis;
- laryngotracheitis.
In addition, benign neoplasms of the larynx, nasal cavity, operations, therapeutic procedures can provoke a problem. The disease can develop when the tympanic cavity is infected, which occurs with injuries and the penetration of a foreign body into the ear canal.
One of the most common causes of a purulent form of the diseaseis a weakened immune system. As a result, an inflammatory process occurs with dangerous complications.
It has been proven that purulent otitis media can occur against the background of an allergic ear reaction. It is considered the main manifestation of this kind of rhinitis, dermatitis, asthma, diathesis, bronchitis. Negative environmental conditions affect the etiology of inflammation of the hearing organs.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of acute purulent otitis media are quite characteristic, so it is quite difficult to confuse it with another disease. The main signs of the disease should include such as:
- painful sensations localized in the ear;
- hearing loss;
- temperature increase;
- purulent discharge.
When infected, first of all, a person begins to feel very strong pain, which sometimes becomes simply unbearable. Pain worsens at the moment when the patient tries to just touch the ear. At the same time, many say that the symptom is quite sharp and manifests itself at the moments of turning the head.
Hearing loss is observed against the background of severe inflammation. The mucous membrane is quite fragile and thin, so absolutely any infection has a negative effect on hearing capabilities. In some cases, people report that they hear almost nothing and all sounds are muffled.
Inflammation in the ear is always accompanied by a rather sharp increase in body temperature, up to 39 degrees. In the first 2 days knock her down almostimpossible, as the festering process continues.
Discharge of pus from the ear does not appear immediately, since in the first days of the inflammatory process it only accumulates. After the mucosa can no longer withstand, it breaks through, and the contents flow out.
The hospital should be contacted at the first suspicion of otitis media. The acute and purulent form requires timely diagnosis and treatment. This will help prevent complications.
Diagnostics
During the course of acute purulent otitis media, diagnosis is important. When contacting a doctor, he initially collects an anamnesis. The otolaryngologist makes a preliminary diagnosis based on the symptoms.
Then a complete blood count is ordered. It shows the presence of bacterial inflammation. At the same time, leukocytosis is observed, as well as an increase in ESR.
In addition, for the study, exudate is taken directly from the focus of inflammation. It is being studied for the presence of pathogens and hypersensitivity to antibacterial agents. For the survey, methods such as:
- otoscopy;
- caperonal examination;
- radiography;
- paracentesis.
All these types of research help to determine the etiology of acute suppurative otitis media. This, in turn, allows you to choose the method of therapy.
Feature of treatment
During treatmentacute purulent otitis media, special attention is paid to the stage of the course of the disease, since the use of medications will largely depend on this. In the very first days, when the general well-being of a person begins to deteriorate sharply, the use of antipyretic drugs is indicated.
Doctors recommend strict bed rest for all patients with otitis media, as the body is under a very serious load. In addition, general well-being does not make it possible to lead a normal life. If there are signs of mastoiditis, then the patient must be hospitalized.
To normalize the natural ventilation of the ear, a person must be prescribed vasoconstrictor drops in the nose. To reduce pain, you need to use special medications that are injected directly into the ear canal. They are also available in the form of drops. Doctors also recommend using a solution of boric acid. It is worth noting that all funds must be warm.
Acute suppurative otitis media is treated with oral antibiotics. The course of therapy takes 7-10 days, and it should not be stopped even after feeling better, as this can provoke a relapse.
During the removal of pus, the doctor may prescribe antihistamines, as well as microlytics, which will help normalize the outflow of purulent contents.
Drug therapy
Diagnosis of the disease does not cause any difficulties at all, and after that, patients are prescribed a set of therapeutic measures. Medic altreatment of acute purulent otitis media involves the use of such means as:
- drops;
- antibacterial drugs;
- drugs that eliminate concomitant symptoms.
Most of the drops in case of rupture of the eardrum and purulent otitis media are strictly forbidden to use, as they can only aggravate the course of the disease. Despite good reviews, it is unacceptable to use the drug "Otipax". For the treatment of purulent discharge, Otofa drops are mainly prescribed. It is a very good antimicrobial agent.
Anauran is another good pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent. This drug is recommended for use in acute and chronic forms. Before instillation of the liquid, it is necessary to thoroughly treat the ear canal with hydrogen peroxide or any other antiseptic.
With left-sided or right-sided acute purulent otitis media, the doctor mainly prescribes antibacterial agents. The most popular drug is Amoxicillin, as it has antiseptic and antimicrobial effects. For topical use, aminoglycosides are also recommended. These funds are allowed to be used no more than 14 days. All drugs are prescribed in the form of capsules or tablets, and injections are used in severe cases of the disease. If purulent otitis media develops after SARS, then for a faster recovery, the doctor prescribes immunostimulating and antiviral drugs.
Folktechniques
Purulent otitis media is not recommended to be treated with folk remedies, since it is impossible to predict how each specific method will work. It is strictly forbidden to apply heating, as this will only provoke an aggravation of the pathological process.
As folk remedies, you can only use tea from chamomile and other anti-inflammatory plants. This tool is recommended to be used in combination with other methods to get faster results.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of left-sided acute purulent otitis media, as well as right-sided, is carried out using physiotherapy techniques. A similar effect is prescribed to reduce the symptoms of the disease and restore hearing. Among the main techniques used are:
- laser therapy;
- ultrasonic treatment;
- UHF therapy.
If you need to deliver antibacterial agents to the affected area, then electrophoresis is prescribed.
Surgery
If conservative therapy did not bring the expected result, then surgery is indicated. During the course of inflammation, the outflow of purulent contents is very important. For this, the removal of polyps and granulations is prescribed.
In addition, tympanic bypass may be indicated. To do this, a small hole is made in the membrane, into which a small tube is then inserted. Medicines are administered through it. Middle ear and labyrinth surgery is also possible.
What could be the consequences
Any disease with the wrong approach provokes the emergence of a number of dangerous complications, which are much more difficult to get rid of than the original disease. As a result, the functioning of the tympanic membrane may be impaired, leading to partial or complete hearing loss. The most dangerous complications are:
- inflammation of the temporal bone;
- inner ear lesion;
- bone caries;
- meningitis.
With illiterate or untimely therapy, the acute form of the disease gradually turns into chronic suppurative otitis media, which is rather difficult to treat. To eliminate the occurrence of dangerous pathologies, it is necessary to immediately visit a doctor at the first signs of a deterioration in well-being. Otolaryngologists recommend that preventive diagnostics of the hearing organs be carried out at least twice a year.
Forecast
With a competent approach, the prognosis of acute suppurative otitis media is quite favorable. The disease ends with a full recovery and restoration of hearing. If the disease has been started, then it can become chronic with the formation of a stable perforation of the eardrum. That is why it is very important to diagnose and treat existing disorders in a timely manner.
Carrying out preventive measures
Every adult knows that eliminating the disease and preventing its development in the body is much easier than treating an already advanced form of otitis media. Preventivemeasures are aimed at proper care of the hearing organs. It is strictly forbidden to clean the ear canals with ear sticks, as well as to instill drops without a doctor's prescription.
In the cold season, be sure to wear hats that protect your ears from blowing. It is important to minimize stay in damp rooms, in a draft. Treatment of colds and infectious diseases should be comprehensive and lead to complete recovery. To consolidate the result after the treatment course, you must follow these rules for a year.
Strengthening he alth will help sports, hardening of the body, maintaining an active lifestyle. The immune system prevents infection from entering the ear canal. It is important to pay enough attention to proper, balanced nutrition. The diet must be rich in minerals and vitamins.
During the period of activation of viral diseases, it is recommended to take appropriate medications, as well as vitamin complexes, for prevention. Always remember that self-medication can cause irreparable harm to he alth.
