Otitis is a disease associated with inflammation of the ear. It can affect one of three departments: external, internal or middle. Under the first it is customary to understand the auricle, eardrum and ear canal. Middle ear
includes the tympanic cavity and the Eustachian tube, it performs the function of sound conduction. The inner ear is a bone formation in the temporal bone, which is hollow from the inside and is divided into channels with the receptor apparatus of the vestibular and auditory analyzers. How can each of these departments be affected by inflammation?
Otitis externa
This form of the disease is manifested by the impact on the ear canal and auricle. The first symptom of otitis in such a situation is itching. When pressing on the inflamed ear, discomfort may occur. Under the influence of a bacterial infection or fungus, the skin can become inflamed both on the auricle and inside the ear canal. Incorrect ear hygiene, for example, using sharp or contaminated objects, as well as skin damaged by insect bites, burns or frostbite, can cause such a reaction. Among all others, this form of the disease is considered
relatively mild and least painful.
Otitis media
This form of the disease is the most common. The symptom of otitis in this case is manifested by the filling of the tympanic cavity of the ear with an infected fluid. This process can be caused by a recent infectious disease, tonsillitis, measles or influenza, as well as the ingress of dirty water into the Eustachian tube. Symptoms of otitis in adults are slightly less pronounced than in children. The thing is that in a he althy state, fluids from the middle ear are removed through the Eustachian tube, which connects the nasopharynx and the tympanic cavity. In inflammatory processes, the lumen of this tube narrows, blocking the outflow of fluid. In children, it is initially smaller and shorter, and therefore the disease manifests itself more acutely. If acute otitis occurs, symptoms may include discharge of pus, ichor, mucus from the ear canal. If the treatment is carried out correctly and on time, the damaged membrane is completely restored, without causing any further hearing loss. In the case when otitis has been left to chance, the pus may not find an outlet and go into the cranial cavity, which will cause a brain abscess, meningitis or mastoiditis. Pay attention even to a common runny nose, if it is accompanied by discomfort in the ears, so that
prevent the aggravation of the disease.
Otitis media
This form of the disease is quite rare, but is the most dangerous. In some cases, it causes a complication of otitis media, and sometimes the cause is a general infectious lesion. Diseasemanifested through tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss. A common symptom of otitis media is nausea up to vomiting. Some patients have nystagmus - involuntary twitching of the eyeball. It becomes difficult for a person with such a disease to maintain balance not only in movement, but also at rest. A symptom of otitis with a purulent form is fever. Left untreated, the disease can lead to hearing loss, and complications can cause a cerebellar abscess or meningitis.
