Otitis media is an inflammation that develops in the cavity between the outer and inner ear. The pathological process occurs in the space that is behind the eardrum. Otherwise, this disease is called inflammation of the middle ear. Usually the pathology is caused by infections. Inflammation affects both children and adults. However, in children, the disease is much more common. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of the organ of hearing in children. The middle ear is made up of the auditory ossicles, which are responsible for conducting sound. Launching such a disease is very dangerous, as it can lead to deafness.
Causes of disease
The causes of otitis media are varied. In most cases, they are associated with the penetration of infection into the ear. Most often, the causative agents of the disease are coccal bacteria. The following pathologies can contribute to the occurrence of otitis media:
- Inflammation often develops as a complication after diseases of the nose and throat. The infection enters from the respiratory system into the ear. This happens especially often if a personblows his nose incorrectly. If the patient's mouth is closed when removing secretions from the nose, then mucus may be thrown along with bacteria and viruses into the middle ear.
- Otitis media can result from any acute or chronic infectious disease. In this case, the causative agents of inflammation enter the organ of hearing with the bloodstream.
- Inflammation of the middle ear is often noted with adenoids.
- Decreased immunity can also lead to the activation of microbes and the development of an inflammatory process in the ear.
- The disease often develops after damage to the eardrum. This organ protects the middle ear from infection. When the membrane is injured, bacteria and viruses easily penetrate inside.
- Hypothermia can cause inflammation.
- The cause of the disease can be an allergic reaction. In this case, the pathology is of non-infectious origin.
People with congenital ear and nose disorders are also predisposed to otitis media.
Varieties of inflammation
The disease can occur in acute and chronic form. In the first case, the pathology begins suddenly. It lasts about 2-3 weeks and, with proper therapy, ends with recovery. If the treatment was insufficient, then chronic otitis media occurs. It is characterized by periodic exacerbations and remissions.
In addition, the disease is classified according to pathological manifestations. The following forms of inflammation are distinguished:
- catarrhal;
- exudative;
- adhesive;
- purulent;
- serous.
The purulent form of the disease proceeds with pronounced manifestations. It often gives serious complications.
Symptomatic of acute and chronic form
Acute otitis media begins abruptly and suddenly. First, the person complains of a tingling sensation inside the ear. Then the discomfort intensifies and develops into acute excruciating pain. It is pulsating in nature, can give to the jaw or to the head. In addition to the pain syndrome, there are other signs of pathology:
- rise in temperature (up to +39 degrees);
- deterioration of general well-being (weakness, chills, headache);
- feeling full and buzzing in affected ear;
- hearing loss.
The initial period of illness lasts 5 - 7 days. Then the pus from the middle ear comes out through a tear in the eardrum. This stage of pathology is called perforative. The patient's temperature decreases, the state of he alth improves somewhat and the pain decreases. This stage of the disease is observed not in all patients, but only in the purulent form of otitis media.
After that comes the recovery period (reparative stage). There is healing of the affected areas. Gradually, the patient's condition returns to normal, and hearing improves.
Otitis media in children in acute form begins with a high temperature (up to +39 - +39.5 degrees). Babies often cry, wake up at night, constantly touch the affected ear. Children who can already speak complain of strongpain. Inflammation may be accompanied by gastrointestinal disturbances.
In the chronic form of otitis media, the symptoms of the pathology are not pronounced. Pain occurs only during exacerbations. A person has permanent hearing loss, tinnitus is noted. Periodically, discharge of a purulent nature departs from the auditory canal. Patients complain of bouts of dizziness.
Catarrhal form
In catarrhal otitis media, the auditory tube and eardrum become inflamed. There is a sharp shooting pain. It radiates to the temple and teeth. There is no discharge of pus from the ear.
This disease is easily detected by the patient's complaints. Treatment of this form of otitis should be started immediately, since the pathology can turn into an exudative or purulent form. The consequence of a neglected disease can be complete hearing loss.
Exudative form
Exudative otitis media is often very difficult to diagnose. This disease is not accompanied by severe pain syndrome. Fluid (exudate) accumulates in the middle ear cavity. The patient's hearing is deteriorating, the person constantly feels tinnitus.
This is the most insidious form of the disease. In the absence of pronounced symptoms, degenerative changes occur in the middle ear cavity. This can lead to severe and permanent hearing loss and even total deafness.
Purulent inflammation
Purulent otitis media is most often bacterial rather than viral in nature. Thisthe most common type of disease. Pus accumulates in the middle ear cavity, which presses on the eardrum. Because of this, there is a sharp pain and a feeling of fullness.
The cause of this form of the disease, most often, is inflammation in the throat and nasopharynx. Sometimes the infection enters the ear through the bloodstream. Often, neglected catarrhal or exudative otitis media flows into a purulent form of the disease.
In addition to possible hearing loss, suppuration is dangerous and other serious complications. Pus can break into the cranial cavity. This leads to meningitis, brain abscess, and blood poisoning.
Serous inflammation
Serous inflammation often occurs without obvious symptoms. Pain syndrome is not observed. Serous fluid accumulates in the middle ear. The patient complains of a feeling of pressure, noise and congestion in the ear. Hearing is getting worse.
This disease is dangerous because it can become more severe. This happens especially often in young children who do not yet know how to speak. They do not feel pain and cannot complain of congestion and noise in the ear. It is very difficult to determine from the behavior of babies that they are sick.
Adhesive otitis media
Adhesive otitis media is usually chronic. There is no severe pain syndrome. But at the same time, an adhesive process occurs in the middle ear cavity. This results in tinnitus and progressive hearing loss.
Diagnosis
This disease can be identified by the patient's characteristic complaints of pain and discharge from the ear. With the aim ofto clarify the diagnosis, the following examinations are prescribed:
- Otoscopy. Using a special device, the doctor examines the ear canal and eardrum.
- Ear swab. The doctor takes a purulent discharge for examination and sends it to the laboratory for bakposev. This helps to identify the causative agent of inflammation.
- Audiometry. This examination is indicated for the adhesive form of the disease. It helps to determine the acuity of hearing.
These diagnostic procedures distinguish between otitis media and earwax plugs, traumatic injuries of the eardrum and foreign bodies in the ear canal.
Topical treatments
Otitis media is usually treated on an outpatient basis. Hospitalization is required only for complications. The choice of method of therapy depends on the form and stage of the disease.
When otitis media is very important to relieve discomfort in the ear. To do this, prescribe ear drops with an analgesic effect. Next, some preparations for instillation in the ear will be considered:
- Drops "Anauran". They contain antibiotics and the anesthetic lidocaine. Drops are applied to cotton wool and inserted into the ear canal. They not only relieve pain, but also affect the pathogenic microflora. This remedy is contraindicated for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as children under 1 year old.
- Drug "Sofradex". These drops contain corticosteroid hormones and antibiotics. This helps relieve inflammation and swelling, as well as eliminate itching. They can be applied notonly with bacterial inflammation, but also in the treatment of otitis media in adults and children of allergic etiology. Drops can only be used for 10 days, as with prolonged use, microbes become resistant to their components.
- Ear drops "Otipax". They contain the analgesic phenazone and the anesthetic lidocaine. They have a good analgesic effect. They can be used to treat otitis media in children, even in infancy. However, they do not contain antibiotics, so these drops do not affect the cause of the disease, but only relieve symptoms.
- Means "Otinum". Drops contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and bactericidal substances. They effectively relieve inflammation, but relieve pain less than other drugs. These drops should also not be used for more than 10 days. Children can only bury them after the age of 1 year.
It is important to remember that ear drops should not be used if the eardrum is damaged. This can lead to inflammation of the auditory nerve and severe hearing loss. Therefore, these drugs cannot be used alone. Before using them, you must undergo an examination by an otolaryngologist.
Children with otitis are prescribed vasoconstrictor drops for the nose "Nazivin baby", "Xymelin", "Otrivin". The nasal and auditory passages are closely related. Therefore, the use of such drops helps to relieve swelling and inflammation in the ear.
Oral drugs and physiotherapy
To relieve pain and inflammationadult patients are shown oral administration of drugs: Diclofenac, Ketorolac, Nurofen, Ibuprofen. When treating a disease in a child, drugs are prescribed in children's forms and dosages.
Oral antibiotics are also used in the treatment of otitis media. If the disease proceeds in an acute form, then it is recommended to use penicillin preparations: "Amoxicillin" and "Ampicillin". They have a wide spectrum of action and affect many types of microorganisms.
If the disease has become chronic, then antibiotics from the group of aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones are prescribed. These are tablets "Ciprofloxacin" and "Vero-Netilmicin" in ampoules. It should be remembered that during pregnancy and lactation they can not be taken. During the course of treatment with antibacterial drugs, probiotics are prescribed to maintain normal microflora.
In childhood, antibiotics are required only for a purulent form of the disease. They are prescribed by a doctor after determining the sensitivity of the microflora in appropriate dosages. If otitis proceeds in a mild catarrhal form, then only the use of drops can be dispensed with.
In the early stages of the disease, washing the ear with bactericidal solutions helps. If pus has accumulated in the organ of hearing and does not erupt for a long time, then oral mucus thinners are used: ACC, Fluimucil and other mucolytics.
Assign sessions of physiotherapy. Apply exposure to ultraviolet rays and a magnetic field on the affected ear area.
During illness, it is very important to strengthen the body's defenses. For this purpose, immunostimulants are prescribed: "Actovegin", "Apilak" and multivitamin complexes.
Features of treatment of different forms of otitis media
The general principles for the treatment of otitis media have been outlined above. However, the treatment of different forms of this disease has its own characteristics.
In the serous form, sometimes it is necessary to make an artificial hole in the eardrum. Through it, drugs are injected directly into the middle ear cavity. This method is used when the duration of the disease is at least 3 months.
Adhesive otitis media is often caused by nasal breathing problems. In the treatment of this form of the disease, blowing the ear canal and pneumatic massage of the eardrum are used. However, in advanced cases of the adhesive process, conservative treatment is not always effective, and an operation has to be performed. The eardrum is opened and the adhesions are surgically removed. In more complex cases, the auditory ossicles are prosthetized.
Folk remedies
Treatment of otitis media at home should be agreed with your doctor. It cannot completely replace the use of ear drops and antibiotics. However, folk remedies can complement medicines.
The following recipes can be recommended:
- Propolis remedy with sunflower oil. In the pharmacy you need to buy propolis tincture. For 1 partthe drug should account for 4 parts of the oil. All ingredients must be mixed well. Then turunda is made from gauze, moistened in the composition, inserted into the ear and kept for 8-10 hours. The procedure should be done 7 - 10 days.
- Calamus root. A medicinal decoction is made from this remedy. A tablespoon of the root of the plant is placed in water and boiled for half an hour. Then boiled water is added so that the volume of the composition is about 200 ml. This remedy has anti-inflammatory properties. It should be drunk 1 tablespoon before meals. The course of treatment is 2 - 3 weeks.
- Camphor oil. This drug can be purchased in pharmacy chains. It is instilled into the affected ear in the amount of 3 drops several times a day. You can also take a cotton swab and soak it in oil. It is placed in the ear for 4 hours. In this case, you need to tie a warm scarf on top.
Treatment of otitis media at home should be done carefully. Some patients may be allergic to propolis, calamus, or camphor. In this case, therapy should be discontinued.
Prevention
To prevent the disease, it is necessary to treat diseases of the nose and throat in time. It is also important to maintain immunity at a high level and avoid hypothermia. Equally important is oral hygiene and the condition of the teeth. Often the cause of the disease becomes caries.
Otitis media is common in children with adenoids. It is very important to treat in a timely manner, and if necessary, remove the overgrown nasopharyngeal tonsils. A simple surgical intervention will help to avoid inflammationin the middle ear.
At the first signs of otitis media, you need to urgently visit a doctor. At the initial stage, inflammation is easily cured by local remedies. Timely access to an otolaryngologist will help prevent complications and hearing loss.
