Purulent otitis is an ailment that is characterized by inflammation of the ear and can be both chronic and acute. Its pathological process is completely dependent on the virulence of microorganisms and is reflected in the state of the human immune system. Also, according to statistics, 30% is precisely the acute form of otitis media. Most often they get sick children under 5 years old and the elderly, less often teenagers.
Cause purulent otitis media (according to the ICD - H66) and affect the organ of hearing can:
- streptococci;
- staphylococci;
- pneumococci;
- Hemophilus influenzae and various microorganisms.
Any inflammation of the ear is very dangerous, so you should consult a doctor immediately after the first symptoms of the disease are detected, which are described below.
Symptoms of this disease
At the first stage of acute purulent otitis media, similar symptoms are detected:
- pain in the ear, which, growing, can be given to the crown,temple and dentition;
- hearing loss;
- appearance of various noises and congestion in the ear;
- hyperthermia;
- hyperemia;
- intoxication syndrome.
This initial stage of purulent otitis in adults and children lasts, as a rule, up to three days. And after that, there is a transition to another stage, and the patient has the following symptoms:
- Breakthrough of the membrane. At this point, pus is released. This process can take up to 7 days.
- Earache gradually subsides.
- The general condition of the patient is stabilizing.
- Body temperature is close to normal.
Signs of purulent otitis are difficult to confuse.
If treatment is not done in time, unpleasant complications will arise:
- ruptured eardrum;
- cholesteatoma;
- hearing loss;
- hearing loss;
- intracranial pathologies;
- brain abscess.
When the first symptoms appear, it is important to immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis and further therapy. Purulent otitis equally affects both children and adults. And no gender restrictions.
How does infection get in?
The main causes of the development of the disease are the penetration of infection into the inner and middle ear and a decrease in the overall reactivity of the body.
This can happen in several ways:
- through the auditory tube;
- infection enters the ear after damage to the eardrum;
- transmitted from the cranial cavity;
- infection penetrates through the bloodstream (this is mainly observed in diseases of influenza, scarlet fever, tuberculosis and typhoid).
The main reason for this development of the pathology is inadequate or incorrect treatment of acute inflammation of the ear.
Otitis has an acute and chronic form.
Chronic form
Chronic suppurative otitis is determined by inflammation of the middle ear. Its main characteristic feature is the flow of purulent exudate from the ear cavity. Other signs include hearing loss and perforation of the eardrum. This disease, it is worth noting, can manifest itself as chronic rhinitis and sinusitis.
Usually, chronic otitis media can manifest itself already in childhood. It can be provoked by staphylococci, pneumococci and pseudomonads. This form of otitis media can also look like epitympanitis. In addition to the mucous membrane, the bone structures of the mastoid process are included in the pathological process. Its localization in the upper part of the membrane. This form is dangerous because dangerous complications progress in it, such as meningitis, sepsis, osteitis, and brain abscess.
Purulent otitis in a child usually occurs in an acute form.
Sharp shape
Acute otitis begins after the penetration of pathogenic organisms into the ear. Stages of its development:
- Catarrhal. progression of the inflammatory process. At this initial stage, exudate accumulates in the ear. There is pain in the ear, a sharp decrease in hearing. It is important to see a doctor immediately here. Treatthis ailment is usually treated with antibiotics or physiotherapy.
- Purulent form. If the appropriate treatment was not performed at the initial stage, then a purulent exudate is eventually formed, which begins to flow out of the cavity.
- Inflammation subsides. The flow of pus stops and the symptom of hearing loss begins to predominate.
What causes purulent otitis media in a child?
Causes of otitis media
Almost any ENT disease accompanies the formation of mucus. After the amount of mucus begins to increase, the latter penetrates the Eustachian tube, thereby disrupting the ventilation of the tympanic cavity. Pathogenic microorganisms also contribute to the aggravation of this process.
Main causes of otitis media:
- invasion of infection from associated ENT organs;
- diseases of the nose, nasopharynx and sinuses;
- injuries of the auricle;
- compromised immunity.
Consequences
What are the consequences of suppurative otitis media?
Although it mainly hurts the ears, but with sufficient complication, the infection can also affect other organs. If the treatment was defective, then this can lead to very terrible consequences. When suppuration passes to the lower jaw and touches the salivary gland, this will lead to disability.
But no less dangerous is the fact that such a disease is not so easy to identify. There are times when the disease may not be accompanied by pain in the ears. There are frequent cases when otitis media is disturbedwork of the gastrointestinal tract. All this happens because our ears and abdomen are connected by the same nerve. Therefore, often during otitis media, especially in children, vomiting, constipation, and bloating may occur. In this case, you will be suspected of having appendicitis and will be referred to a surgeon. But inflammatory diseases in children are best diagnosed by involving an otorhinolaryngologist in the procedure.
If suddenly the mother of the child thinks that he just has an upset stomach, and does not seek help from the appropriate specialist, the result will not be the correct diagnosis, and otitis in the meantime will develop into a more serious disease.
Chronic otitis is very difficult to treat, while the quality of life is greatly reduced - hearing is impaired, and an inflammatory process occurs in the ears and pus appears. Often the usual treatment is not enough, it is necessary to resort to surgical methods.
Diagnosis of otitis media
An experienced and competent doctor detects left-sided or right-sided purulent otitis media without special devices. A simple examination of the auricle with a head reflector may be sufficient.
Diagnosis of otitis externa
With this type of otitis media, the doctor pays attention to the skin of the auricle and pays attention to the size of the auditory lumen. If it is severely narrowed or the tympanic membrane is almost invisible and liquid discharge is noticeable, then the doctor makes a diagnosis of otitis externa.
Diagnosis of otitis media
With otitis media, the doctor is also limited to externalinspection. The hallmarks of this disease are the redness of the eardrum and its immobility.
These symptoms are easy to check. The patient needs to inflate the cheeks without opening the mouth. This maneuver is often used by divers and divers to equalize pressure in the ear. When air enters, the eardrum bulges, and when the cavity is filled with fluid, there will be no characteristic bulging.
When otitis media perforation of the tympanic membrane is visible immediately, after the ear cavity is filled with pus and flows out when it breaks.
Diagnosis of otitis media
In this case, hearing is examined on special equipment called an audiometer. If hearing acuity drops noticeably sharply with the disease of otitis media, and bouts of dizziness appear, there is a suspicion of inflammation of the ear labyrinth or internal otitis media. Here they use audiometry and resort to a neurological examination.
Using computed tomography and x-rays
In acute otitis media, x-rays are used to confirm a complication. All this can reveal severe intracranial infections. Although these are quite rare cases, if such suspicions exist, then the patient should undergo a CT scan of the brain.
Detection of bacterial flora in otitis media
Research on the bacterial flora, at first glance, will seem like a meaningless action. After all, it will take a lot of time to identify it, and the result will be visible only afterweek. But since the usual antibiotics do not help in all cases, the doctor can find out the result from the smears, which microorganisms affected the otitis media, and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
What to do with purulent otitis media?
If you experience discomfort in your ears - it can be aching pain or periodic congestion - you should immediately contact a specialist for treatment. If this is not done at the initial symptoms, then otitis media can develop into chronic, which can leave scars on the eardrum. But if you can't see a doctor the same day you notice the first symptoms, then you can use antihistamines by mouth, with severe pain - painkillers.
Self-medication can be dangerous
But don't self-medicate with homemade recipes. Chamomile infusions, boric alcohol, onion or garlic juice, as well as various phytocandles cannot be used as a treatment in the fight against otitis media. All these "healing" drugs can lead to deafness for life.
But the worst thing is getting pus into the brain, which can lead to terrible consequences - a person can simply remain disabled.
Therefore, identify your symptoms in advance and as soon as possible, and preferably immediately on the same day, see a doctor.
How to treat purulent otitis media?
To treat this disease is still better in stationary conditions. Especially if purulent otitis is observed in a child. The attending physician draws up a treatment plan, taking into account the stage of the disease and conditionpatient.
- treatment of the preperforated stage:
- use of systemic and topical drugs;
- semi-alcohol compresses on the ear;
- antihistamines;
- antibiotics.
Treatment of purulent otitis should be carried out only under the supervision of a physician.
As this stage progresses, it is also important to continue taking antibiotics and antihistamines. The course of treatment can be supplemented with such drugs:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- mucolytics;
- physiotherapy treatment: laser therapy, UV, UHF;
- removal of pus from their ear canal.
Treatment at the reparative stage:
- blowing the auditory tube;
- injecting drugs into the tympanic cavity to prevent adhesions from forming;
- taking biostimulants;
- vitamin therapy.
It is necessary to be treated with antibiotics, because it is these drugs that have the ability to eliminate the cause of progression. It should be noted that only a specialist doctor should prescribe a group of drugs. It is unacceptable to arbitrarily take AB, this can only aggravate the situation. Antibiotics must be taken according to a precisely defined schedule. If any problems are found during treatment, the doctor may change the drug.
An important goal in the prevention of otitis media is to keep the Eustachian tube from being blocked by thick mucus. In order to prevent otitis media from developing, it is necessary to seek the help of a doctor in a timely manner andtreat ENT diseases, whether it's a common cold or sinusitis.
