The term "eustachitis" refers to the inflammatory process that develops in the auditory tube. Pathology leads to poor ventilation in the tympanic cavity, resulting in catarrhal otitis media. The treatment of eustachitis is performed by an otorhinolaryngologist. It is to him that you need to contact when the first alarming symptoms appear.
Development mechanism
The tympanic cavity of the middle ear is connected to the nasopharynx of the Eustachian tube. The latter is considered a kind of channel designed to normalize the pressure inside the body in accordance with the atmospheric. This condition is necessary for the full operation of the sound-conducting apparatus of the middle ear.
The width of the auditory (Eustachian) tube is approximately 2 mm. Due to the small diameter, the development of any inflammatory process in its walls is accompanied by the occurrence of its obstruction. Against this background, air from the nasopharynx can no longer enter the middle ear cavity. As a result, the inflammatory process affects both him and the Eustachian tube. Due to the combined lesion, the pathology also has other names: tubootitis, salpingo-otitis, tubotympanitis. The inflammatory process can be both acute and chronic.
Causes
As a rule, eustachitis is a consequence of the following diseases:
- ARVI;
- sore throats;
- flu
- rhinitis;
- pharyngitis;
- scarlet fever;
- whooping cough;
- infectious mononucleosis;
- measles.
The development of the acute process occurs due to the spread of the pathogen to the mucosa of the auditory tube and pharyngeal mouth. In addition, eustachitis is often a complication of an allergic disease. It can also appear after stopping nosebleeds, which was performed using tamponade.
Chronic eustachitis develops against the background of long-term current diseases: sinusitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis, adenoids. Also, the following pathologies and conditions can become the cause of its appearance:
- neoplasms of a benign nature;
- curvature of the septum of the nose;
- tumors in the pharynx;
- atresia of the choan.
With these diseases, the process of air circulation in the organs of smell and hearing is disturbed.
Symptoms of acute eustachitis
Symptoms of the disease can be either single or double-sided. Regardless of the severity of the symptoms of eustachitis, treatment and further monitoring of the patient should be carried out exclusively by an otorhinolaryngologist. It is necessary to consult a doctor even with minor manifestations of the disease.
Signs of pathology:
- Pain in the ear, accompanied by a feeling of pressure and fullness in the organ.
- Hearing impairment.
- A feeling of stuffiness in the ear.
- When the head is tilted, it seems as if a liquid is pouring inside the organ of hearing.
- Noise in the ear.
- Autophony. This is a condition characterized by a sensation of resonance in one’s own voice in the organ of hearing.
Some patients report that, if untreated, the symptoms of eustachitis recede after yawning or swallowing saliva. It is important to understand that these improvements are temporary. They are due to the expansion of the lumen of the auditory tube, which occurs due to the contraction of the muscle tissue involved in these processes.
Eustachitis is not accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition of the patient. If a person has an increased body temperature, and his health leaves much to be desired, then this indicates the development of a complication - purulent otitis media.
Symptoms of Chronic Eustachitis
The disease is characterized by episodes of exacerbation, which are replaced by periods of remission. During a crisis, the symptoms are pronounced. During this period, the symptoms are the same as with acute eustachitis. During remission, a slight tinnitus persists. In addition, in patients with chronic eustachitis, hearing acuity is reduced even during the disappearance of signs of the disease.
Diagnostics
If the first alarming signs occur, you need to contact the ENT specialist. The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis based on anamnesis, patient complaints and research results.
Typically, the following methods are assigned:
- otoscopy;
- audiometry;
- microotoscopy;
- assessment of hearing using a tuning fork;
- acoustic impedancemetry;
- identification of the degree of patency of the Eustachian tube;
- ear manometry.
If the cause of the disease is the spread of an infectious agent, the doctor sends the patient to the laboratory for a throat smear. In the process of analyzing biomaterial, the sensitivity of pathogenic flora to antibiotics is also evaluated.
In order to detect background pathologies, CT scans, rhinoscopy, radiography, pharyngoscopy, allergic tests can be prescribed.
Based on the results of all of the above studies, the doctor draws up the most effective treatment regimen for eustachitis.
Adult Therapy Plan
In order to successfully get rid of the disease, it is necessary to find out the exact cause that caused it. If it is a consequence of the pathology of the nasopharynx, initially all therapeutic measures are directed to its elimination.
It often happens that eustachyite appears during immersion in water, as well as during takeoff and landing of an airplane. In such situations, this condition does not require treatment. It is eliminated by swallowing or exhaling sharply. When performing these manipulations, it is necessary to clamp the nostrils.
The treatment regimen for eustachitis in adults includes the following items:
- Antibiotic therapy. For this purpose, ear drops are prescribed. In most cases, doctors recommend the use of the following agents: Polydex, Normax, Sofradex, Dancil.
- Reducing swelling of the mucous membrane in the area of ​​the auditory tube. Vasoconstrictor drugs cope with this task. It is recommended to use one of the following means: “Tizin”, “Xylene”, “Nazivin”, “Sanorin”, “Galazolin”, “Rinostop”. They need to be buried in the nose up to 5 times a day (single dose - 5 drops). In this case, the head must first be thrown back, and then turned to the side of the sore ear. Regardless of the severity of symptoms, treatment of eustachitis in adults with such drugs should not exceed 5 days. Otherwise, their effectiveness is reduced to a minimum, while dependence on these funds may develop.
- Taking antihistamines. With their help, the course of the disease improves, in addition, similar tools also contribute to reducing the mucosal compartment in the Eustachian tube. Most often, doctors prescribe: “Zirtek”, “Erius”, “Tavegil”, “Claritin”, “Cetrin”, “Suprastin”, “Telfast”.
- The elimination of the inflammatory process. Local hormonal agents, glucocorticoids, cope with this task. Currently, the following drugs are most effective: Nazonex, Flixonase, Avamis. They are available as a spray.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures. As a rule, otorhinolaryngologists recommend taking a course of UHF and ultraviolet radiation in the nose. At the same time, it is advisable to attend laser therapy procedures, but already to the area of ​​the mouth of the auditory tube. Immediately after the disappearance of the signs of the disease, pneumatic massage is indicated.
Of particular importance in the treatment of eustachitis is purging. It is carried out by the Politzer method. Its essence is as follows: a special olive, connected to a rubber balloon by a flexible tube, is inserted into the patient’s nostril, after which the wings of the nose are clamped. The task of the procedure is to ensure the flow of air into the tympanic cavity. To do this, the patient must either pronounce the word “cuckoo” loudly in syllables, or swallow water. During these manipulations, the palatine curtain rises, clinging to the back of the throat. It is in these seconds that the doctor compresses the rubber balloon, supplying air to the tympanic cavity.
Therapy plan for children
Before drawing up a treatment regimen, the doctor must assess the severity of the course of the disease. The main cause of eustachitis in children is rhinitis. To eliminate it, the means intended for washing the nasal cavity are prescribed: Dolphin, Aqualor, Aquamaris, Marimer.
Also, the treatment regimen for eustachitis in children may consist of the following items:
- Antibiotic therapy.
- Reception of immunomodulators.
- The use of nasal vasoconstrictor drops.
- Reception of antihistamines.
- Blowing Eustachian tube using the drug "Hydrocortisone".
- Physiotherapeutic procedures.
Regardless of the intensity of symptoms, treatment of eustachitis in children should begin as early as possible. Otherwise, the disease can become chronic. When drawing up a treatment regimen for eustachitis for young patients, the doctor takes into account their age, prescribing the most suitable and effective drugs. Dosage is also calculated individually.
Treatment of chronic eustachitis
In such cases, the treatment regimen does not differ from the standard prescribed for the acute nature of the disease. To prevent the development of a crisis, it is recommended that you visit your doctor twice a year and undergo a preventive treatment course.
Folk methods of dealing with the disease
It is important to understand that alternative therapies do not exclude the need for a specialist visit. When the first symptoms of eustachitis appear, treatment at home is allowed, but the doctor should also be informed subsequently about the patient's use of alternative methods.
The most effective recipes:
- Grind and mix in equal proportions pine buds, clover, nettle and immortelle. Take 1 tbsp. l the resulting collection, pour 300 ml of boiling water. Insist for 5 hours. Take the received product three times a day after meals, approximately 75 ml.
- Grind and mix equal amounts of dandelion roots, eucalyptus, celandine and yarrow. Take 2 tbsp. l the resulting collection, pour 1 liter of boiling water. Insist at least 8 hours. During the day you need to drink 200 ml. The tool is used in a course at the same time as taking antibacterial agents.
- Take 1 tbsp. l shredded calendula flowers. Pour the plant with 250 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for an hour, strain. Take three times a day for 1 tbsp. l
When treating eustachitis at home, it is important to remember that any medicinal plant is a potential allergen. Before using the product, you need to take 1-2 sips and observe the condition of the body for several hours.
The elimination of feelings of congestion is one of the tasks that must be performed during the treatment of eustachitis. How to blow at home ear always tells the doctor. There are about 10 ways, but the most common is the Valsalva maneuver. Its essence is as follows: to hold the nostrils with your fingers, close your mouth tightly and try to exhale air.
Forecast
With timely contact with a specialist, the duration of treatment of the disease is several days. In the presence of other pathologies, the course of which affects the ventilation of the Eustachian tube, it increases. In addition, there is a high risk of the transition of the disease from acute to chronic.
Prevention
It is necessary to timely treat diseases of the nasopharynx (both infectious and allergic in nature). When the first alarming symptoms appear, you should immediately consult an ENT specialist.
Finally
Eustachitis is a pathological process that affects the auditory tube. Despite the fact that the quality of life of patients remains almost at the same level, a doctor should be visited immediately after the occurrence of alarming signs. Alternative treatment of eustachitis is acceptable, but it does not exclude the need to seek qualified medical help. Ignoring the disease can lead to serious complications.