The Eustachian tube is normally closed. At the moment of swallowing food, due to the function of certain muscles located in the soft palate, the Eustachian tube opens and allows air to enter the middle ear. This is how the area is constantly aerated.
If aeration is disturbed for some reason, then the atmospheric pressure exceeds the pressure inside the eardrum. As a result, its position changes, it becomes retracted, approaches the wall of the promontorium. Inflammation of the Eustachian tube occurs, the symptoms, the treatment of which is described in this article.
Cause of disease
All diseases that are accompanied by swelling of the mucous membrane and catarrhal changes in the nose and nasopharynx are able to cause simultaneous inflammation of the Eustachian tube, the treatment of which should be started in a timely manner.
Pathology is provoked by the following reasons:
- runny nose, occurring in acute or chronic form;
- hypertrophic process in the posterior ends of the lower shells;
- presence of adenoids;
- neoplasms in the nasopharynx;
- often recurring sore throat;
- hypertrophic process in the tonsils that can cause secondary pathological changes;
- defects in the anatomy of the ear;
- presence of anterior or posterior tamponade for nosebleeds after surgery.
Usually tubo-otitis is caused by staphylococci or streptococci. In children, the disease is more often provoked by pneumococci, as well as diseases of a viral nature.
Infection of the nasopharynx extends to the Eustachian tube as well as the middle ear. As a result, its permeability is sharply reduced.
If a patient has a predisposition to allergies, swelling of the middle ear and increased secretion, then the risk of the disease increases significantly. All manifestations of the pathological process depend on the form that it has taken. Inflammation of the Eustachian tube, which is treated by a laryngologist, can be either acute or chronic.
How does the acute form appear
The acute form, as a rule, develops against the background of a viral infection of the body, a cold that inflames the nasopharynx. During the process, which proceeds in an acute form, the patient notes a stable general state of he alth. The temperature indicator usually does not exceed 38 ºС. Intense pain is not felt. The patient may complain of hearing loss, nasal congestion, increased audibility of his own voice (feeling like an echo is heard), apparent transfusion of water in the ear, constant noise.
On examination revealed swelling of the auditory tube, the narrowing of its lumen, the mucous membrane is irritated. A closed eardrum provokes a decrease in pressure and expansion of blood vessels, the walls of which become thinner. This causes blood to leak through the capillaries.
How the chronic course of the disease manifests itself
If in the acute form all the symptoms are temporary and after a while they cease to bother, then in the chronic course they are persistent. Chronic disease is characterized by atrophy in the area of the mucosa of the tympanic membrane and membrane. The membrane becomes cloudy, necrosis may form.
In a chronic course, the eardrum retracts and deforms, the tube lumen narrows, hearing is significantly impaired, some local areas turn red. Sclerosis of the tympanic membrane is noted. Inflammation can be complicated by adhesive otitis, which provokes the appearance of adhesions that disrupt the patency of the Eustachian tube and the bones in the ear.
How the disease manifests itself in children
The anatomy of the ear canal of a child is very different from the structure of an adult. Therefore, the child is more prone to ear diseases. Signs of eustachitis in children are exactly the same as in adults. Symptoms include:
- presence of noise;
- nasal congestion;
- hearing loss.
What to do if inflammation occurs in an area such as the Eustachian tube? Treatment at home is not recommended. A specialist should be consulted.
Diagnosis of disease
Only a laryngologist can detect the disease. Diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations and otoscopy. Manipulation can reveal the degree of retraction of the tympanic membrane, shortening of the handle of the malleus, a sharp protrusion of a small process towards the ear canal.
To determine hearing loss, pure tone audiometry is performed. In addition, the regent of the paranasal sinuses is performed, the function of the auditory tubes is examined by means of the Toynbee empty-sip test, the Polticer test and the so-called Valsalva maneuver.
Principles of treatment
How is inflammation of the Eustachian tube stopped? Treatment begins after a thorough diagnosis and clarification of the cause of the inflammatory process. Having determined it, it is necessary to eliminate the pathogen so that the recovery takes place as quickly as possible.
The disease requires immediate therapy, as the acute form can quickly take on a chronic course and lead to persistent hearing loss. And this significantly reduces the quality of life of the patient.
Medicated treatment
Treatment of eustachitis depends on the underlying cause. In the case of pathology of the nasopharynx, therapy is aimed at its elimination. When atmospheric pressure jumps when flying on an airplane or lifting and descending in waterblowing out the ears is used with the help of normal swallowing and a sharp exhalation with pinched nostrils and a closed mouth.
Inflammation of the Eustachian tube (treatment, drugs are chosen only by a laryngologist!) is stopped by various medicines. The main direction is the use of drugs that contribute to the narrowing of the vessels of the Eustachian tube and nasopharynx. This group includes "Tizin", "Nazivin", "Rinostop", "Galazolin", "Xilen". They are issued without a prescription. Drops are injected into the nose 2-3 times a day. You can use these funds for no more than five days.
Antibacterial drugs include ear drops "Polydex", "Sofradex", "Normax", "Dancil". As an additional therapy, antihistamines act - Suprastin, Erius, Claritin, Tavegil, Telfast, Zirtek.
In some cases, local hormonal agents are prescribed. For example, Nasonex, Avamys, Flixonase are used. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.
If found in an area such as the Eustachian tube, inflammation, treatment involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-germs. Usually, drugs are used that are instilled into the ear (3-4 drops three times a day). They should be used no more than 10 days.
As topical anti-inflammatory drugsapply furatsilin and boric acid 3%. For oral use, antibiotics such as Amoxiclav, Cefuroxime, Afenoxin can be prescribed. They are taken twice a day, at a dose of 250-700 mg, strictly according to the doctor's prescription.
Blowing the Eustachian tube through a catheter has a high degree of efficiency. Hydrocortisone or adrenaline is injected. With proper therapy, the disease stops within a few days. If measures were taken late, the disease can become chronic and difficult to treat.
Surgical intervention may be required if the process is neglected. An incision is made in the area of the tympanic membrane, into which a catheter is inserted to suction fluid. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
To enhance the effect of the treatment, physiotherapy is carried out, and compresses are also applied. From physiotherapy, it should be noted UVI, UHF of the nose area, laser therapy.
How else can inflammation of the Eustachian tube be eliminated? Treatment after relief of an acute course with preserved reduced hearing involves the use of the method of blowing the auditory tubes or pneumatic massage. For blowing, the Politzer method or catheterization is used.
Politzer method and catheterization
Blowing the ear along the Politzer is carried out by means of a balloon made of rubber, which is connected by a rubber tube to the olive. The olive is inserted into the patient's nostril. The wings of the nose are pinched. Forair entering the eardrum, the patient should swallow air and pronounce the word “cuckoo” loudly in syllables. When a syllable is stressed, the velum of the palate is raised and pressed against the posterior wall of the pharynx. At this point, the doctor makes a slight compression of the balloon. Control of air entry is carried out using an otoscope.
With successful manipulations, as a rule, the patient's condition is optimized after 1-3 procedures. Hearing may improve for a few days. In this case, additional purges are required after 1-2 days. The procedures are carried out for 2-3 weeks.
If the Politzer method is not effective, catheterization of the auditory tube is performed. Air is blown into the eardrum using a special ear catheter and a rubber balloon. After the manipulation, a pneumatic massage of the tympanic membrane is performed.
The essence of catheterization lies in the fact that variable pressure is applied to the eardrum, which helps to increase its elasticity, makes it mobile, and prevents scarring, leading to hearing loss.
Use of folk remedies
How else can inflammation of the Eustachian tube be eliminated? Treatment with folk remedies involves the use of a number of recipes:
- Aloe juice is mixed with warm boiled water in a ratio of 1:1. This remedy is instilled into the nose every 5 hours. In addition, a swab is wetted with it and inserted into the ear.
- Onion juice dripping into the nosebefore going to bed, and a warm bulb is placed in the ear area.
- Eucalyptus, celandine lavender, yarrow are taken in equal proportions. Two spoons of herbal collection are poured with 0.5 liters of boiling water. The product is infused in a thermos for 12 hours. The infusion is drunk three times a day for ¼ cup.
Complications of the disease
Inflammation of the Eustachian tube (symptoms, treatment with folk remedies and medicines we described in this article) with timely therapy, as a rule, is completely eliminated and does not cause any complications. But due to the fact that the symptoms of the disease are erased, the patient does not always get an appointment with a laryngologist on time, which provokes undesirable consequences. There may be a steady decrease in hearing, purulent otitis media in an acute form, deformation of the membrane, scarring of the tissues of the middle ear. Eustachitis can also lead to total hearing loss.
Prevention
In order to prevent inflammation of the Eustachian tube, the treatment of which is quite difficult, it is necessary to stop the diseases that provoke it in time. You should constantly strengthen the immune system, do not use a large number of antibiotics, give up bad habits. Stay he althy!
