What is otitis media? This question is asked by many people, because this disease is extremely common. Pathology is accompanied by an inflammatory process in any part of the ear. The disease is accompanied by severe pain and, if left untreated, leads to very dangerous complications.
Of course, many patients seek additional information about the disease. Why does the disease develop? What symptoms should you pay attention to? Why is otitis media dangerous in a child? What treatments are the most effective? The answers to these questions will be useful to many readers.
What is otitis media? General information about the disease
An inflammation of the ear is called otitis media. It should immediately be noted that the pathological process can affect both the outer, middle and inner ear.
In fact, this is a very common disease, which is often faced by both children and adults. In most cases, otitis is a consequence of other pathologies, such as the common cold or laryngitis. The fact is that the middle ear cavity is connected to the nasopharynx througheustachian tubes. If there is an inflammatory process in the tissues of the nose, tonsils or larynx, then pathogenic microorganisms can easily move into the middle ear cavity, and from there spread to the inner ear and even the meninges.
Causes of inflammation of the middle ear
According to statistics, in most cases, inflammation of the middle ear is not a primary disease, but occurs against the background of another pathology. Causes of otitis media can be as follows:
- infectious and inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract (otitis media often develops against the background of rhinitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis);
- allergic reactions are also risk factors, as they are often accompanied by persistent swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages;
- various congenital and chronic pathologies of the nose, nasopharynx and sinuses (e.g. adenoid formation, deviated septum);
- trauma of the auricle, eardrum;
- local or general hypothermia, a sharp decrease in the activity of the immune system.
The cause of otitis in children can be viral diseases, in particular, measles, influenza, scarlet fever.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Symptoms of ear otitis are very characteristic:
- Usually, the first sign is a sharp, shooting, sudden pain in the ear. In most cases, discomfort intensifies in the evening and at night. Often the pain radiates totemple, in the region of the jaw. It is very difficult to cope with such sensations even for an adult.
- In addition, tinnitus periodically appears, the patient's hearing gradually decreases.
- Otitis media is often accompanied by fever. Body temperature rises to 39 degrees.
- There are also symptoms of intoxication - a person becomes weak, lethargic, loses appetite.
- You may have a clear, yellowish or purulent discharge from the ear.
Noticing these symptoms in yourself, you need to contact an otolaryngologist as soon as possible.
Stages of disease progression
Otitis of the ears in adults (as well as in children) develops in several stages, each of which is accompanied by certain signs:
- The catarrhal stage is, in fact, the initial stage of the inflammatory process. The multiplication of pathogenic bacteria leads to catarrhal edema.
- Exudative phase is accompanied by the formation of exudate. The secret accumulates, creating conditions for more intensive reproduction of bacteria.
- The purulent stage is accompanied by the accumulation of purulent masses. During this period, patients complain of a feeling of pressure and stuffiness in the ear.
- In the absence of treatment, the perforative stage occurs - under the pressure of purulent masses, the eardrum ruptures, and discharge appears. As a rule, after this the patient feels relief. Body temperature returns to normal, pain gradually disappears.
- The reparative phase is accompanied by tightening of the tissues of the eardrum.
Inflammationouter ear
You already know what otitis is. But it should be understood that inflammation can affect any part of the ear. Often patients go to the doctor with the so-called otitis externa. The disease is accompanied by inflammation of the skin of the auricle and external auditory canal and is usually associated with tissue infection with bacteria or fungal microorganisms. The risk factors in this case include:
- scratches and other ear injuries;
- local hypothermia (observed, for example, when you refuse to wear a hat in the winter);
- too frequent and thorough removal of earwax (wax has important protective functions);
- water entering the ear canal, especially if it is a contaminated liquid (for example, when swimming in a dirty pond).
The main symptom is soreness of the affected tissues, which intensifies during pressure. Perhaps inflammation of the sebaceous glands, resulting in the formation of painful boils on the skin. Tissues swell, turn reddish, and become hot to the touch.
Otitis media. Features of the clinical picture
Labyrinthitis is the most dangerous form of otitis media. The disease is accompanied by inflammation of the inner ear and requires complex therapy (often conservative treatment is combined with surgery).
Patients with this form of the disease suffer not only from severe pain, but also from severe hearing impairment, various vestibular disorders. In the absence of timely treatment, the inflammatory process canspread to the auditory nerve, which often leads to its degeneration and hearing loss. In addition, there is a high risk of damage to the meninges and the formation of an abscess in the brain.
Possible Complications
According to statistics, the disease most often responds well to drug therapy. However, with improper treatment or its absence, the disease can lead to dangerous consequences, especially when it comes to otitis media in a child. You should read the list of possible complications:
- In the absence of therapy, the disease can turn into a protracted form. Chronic otitis is latent but difficult to treat.
- The inflammatory process often spreads to nerve structures and meninges. Especially when it comes to otitis in a child. The list of complications includes hydrocephalus, encephalitis, meningitis and even a brain abscess.
- There is a possibility of facial paresis.
- If otitis media is accompanied by the formation of a large amount of pus and a violation of the discharge of purulent masses, then there is a possibility of rupture of the eardrum, which is extremely dangerous.
- Sometimes cholesteatoma appears against the background of the disease - it is a benign cyst formed by keratin and dead epithelial cells.
- Because some common nerve fibers innervate the ear and digestive tract, otitis media is sometimes accompanied by gastrointestinal disturbances. The patient suffers from bloating and nausea, sometimes vomiting occurs.and diarrhea.
- The inflammatory process can affect the mastoid process. This is how mastoiditis develops - a dangerous disease that, if left untreated, leads to the destruction of the auditory ossicles.
- There is a possibility of persistent hearing impairment, the development of hearing loss, sometimes up to complete irreversible deafness.
That is why in no case should you ignore such a disease or try to cope with it at home. Unfortunately, sometimes the clinical picture is blurred. For example, if otitis in a child is accompanied by digestive disorders, and the pain in the ear is very mild, there is a high probability that the small patient will not receive the necessary treatment.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis of otitis media is usually not difficult for an experienced specialist. Already during the external examination, signs of inflammation can be noticed. If we are talking about otitis externa, then you can notice redness and swelling of the auricle. With inflammation of the middle ear, you can notice swelling of the ear canal, as well as traces of exudate or pus.
Sometimes the patient is additionally referred for audiometry - this procedure allows you to determine the acuity of hearing. The study is mandatory if there is a suspicion of damage to the inner ear or the development of chronic otitis media.
Bacterial culture is carried out if the usual antibiotics do not give the desired effect. The fact is that such a study lasts about 6-7 days. If you start treatment only a week after the onset of symptoms, thenhigh risk of developing complications. That is why doctors first prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics. Identification of the pathogen is carried out only if the therapy was ineffective.
X-rays and computed tomography of the head are performed if otitis media is associated with complications, such as the formation of an abscess in the brain.
Treatment of external inflammation
Typically, otitis externa is treated with ear drops. In addition, antiseptic preparations are used, for example, Miramistin drops or ointment. In the event that inflammation is associated with the activity of fungal microflora, then antifungal ointments or creams, for example, Pimafucort and Candide, are included in the treatment regimen.
In the most severe cases, it is advisable to take antibiotics, in particular, Normax, Otofa and Tsiprolet. Good results are given by combined preparations, which contain both antibacterial substances and corticosteroids. For example, a drug such as Sofradex contains gramicidin, framycetin, dexamethasone.
Otitis media. Treatment for adults and children
Many people face such an unpleasant problem as ear inflammation. How to treat otitis? How long does therapy take? These questions are of interest to many patients.
In medical practice, doctors often prescribe antibiotics for otitis media. The most commonly used drugs such as Amoxicillin, Ecobol, Flemoxin,"Augmentin", "Flemoklav", "Cefuroxime". It should be noted right away that antibacterial agents are more often prescribed to children, since small patients are much more difficult to tolerate such a disease. In adults, according to statistics, in 90% of cases, otitis media resolves without the use of antibiotics.
An obligatory part of therapy is the use of ear drops. Of course, only a doctor can choose such drugs, since such drugs differ in composition and properties. If the eardrum is intact, then drops such as Otizol, Otinum, Otipax are most often used, which contain painkillers (benzocaine, lidocaine). If the eardrum is perforated, then drops with antibiotics are used - there is no need for painkillers, because after the release of purulent masses, the discomfort disappears.
It is worth saying that with otitis media, drugs that contain ethyl alcohol are strictly contraindicated, as this will only damage the ear tissue.
As a rule, the symptoms of the disease begin to subside after 2-3 days after the start of therapy. The course of treatment, as a rule, lasts 6-7 days (if there are no complications). If the patient's condition does not improve, then this must be reported to the doctor.
Surgery
Sometimes the disease is accompanied by the formation of a large amount of pus that accumulates behind the eardrum. Symptoms of otitis in this case are intensified - patients suffer from acute, sharp pains. There is a high probability of penetration of pathogenic bacteria into the blood. It is in suchcases, doctors perform surgery. Surgery is also indicated:
- if no improvement is observed within three days after the start of antibiotic therapy, suppuration does not subside;
- inner ear inflammation occurs;
- inflammatory process affects the facial nerve;
- infection spreads to the meninges.
Paracentesis is performed under local anesthesia. During the procedure, the doctor makes a neat puncture in the thinnest part of the eardrum, thus creating a path for the outflow of purulent masses. As a rule, tissues heal quickly, and only a small scar remains at the puncture site. The damage from a surgical incision of the eardrum is less than from its natural rupture.
Folk remedies
Is it possible to treat otitis media at home? Of course, traditional medicine offers some remedies to help cope with pain and other unpleasant sensations:
- Some healers recommend using diluted hydrogen peroxide (15 drops of peroxide should be diluted in 25 ml of water). 5 drops of the resulting mixture should be dripped into the ear canal, and then lie down on your side for 10-15 minutes. Next, the head must be tilted to the other side in order to remove the remaining liquid. This procedure is prohibited if there is a perforation of the eardrum.
- Decoction of bay leaf is also considered effective, which has anti-inflammatory, antifungal andimmunostimulatory properties. 5 dried leaves of the plant should be poured with a glass of water, brought to a boil, and then infused for two hours (it is advisable to keep the solution in a thermos). In a sore ear, you need to drip 3 drops. The procedure is repeated 3-4 times a day.
What not to do?
Otitis media is a serious disease that should not be ignored. Any non-traditional methods or home remedies can be used only with the permission of a doctor. Here is a list of procedures and tools that should not be used:
- Instillation of ears with alcohol or alcohol tinctures is contraindicated (this substance has practically no effect on pathogenic microorganisms, but it burns and irritates ear tissues and can even lead to perforation of a thinned eardrum);
- you can not do warm compresses without the permission of a doctor (warming under certain conditions only stimulates the reproduction of otitis media, increases the volume of purulent masses);
- do not use undiluted aloe, garlic, onion juice for instillation, as they only irritate the skin of the ear canal;
- you can not open abscesses with inflammation of the external bond;
- In no case should you try to open the tympanic cavity yourself - this is fraught with hearing loss.
Prevention of otitis media
You already know what otitis media is, why pathology develops and what symptoms it accompanies. Unfortunately, there is no specific prevention. But, following some recommendations of experts, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of occurrenceinflammatory process:
- All potentially dangerous diseases of the ENT organs (including runny nose and sinusitis) must be treated in a timely and correct manner - this will prevent infection from entering the ear cavity. The same applies to the removal of adenoids.
- Rinse the nose and sinuses only with the permission of a doctor.
- It is important to strengthen the immune system, maintain fluid balance in the body.
- Remember that the optimum indoor temperature is 18-20 degrees Celsius.
- In the house, as well as in the workplace, you need to maintain an optimal level of humidity. Regular wet cleaning is important.
- Don't stop taking antipyretics if you have a severe fever.
And, of course, at the first alarming symptoms, you need to go to the doctor. Otitis in adults and children can be very dangerous - you should never ignore its signs.
