Otitis in medicine is called ear inflammation. Since the ear has a complex structure, its various sections, from the external to the internal, can become inflamed. There is also acute otitis media and chronic.
Inflammation of the outer ear
Inflammation of the outer ear can be of two forms: local inflammation of the outer ear (boil), and diffuse diffuse. A boil occurs as a result of infection of the hair bulb or sebaceous gland. The source of infection is most often staphylococci. The development of limited inflammation is also facilitated by injuries or scratches of the shell and ear canal when picking with sharp objects, matches, hairpins, etc. Persons suffering from metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, low nutrition and hypovitaminosis are susceptible to infection. Inflammation can pass to the cartilaginous part of the shell or the fiber of the ear. Diffuse damage to the ear also develops due to the pathological action of the bacterial pathogen. The etiological agent may be a fungus. But this form of the disease often occurs with chronic otitis media. Diffuse external acute otitis media can spread further and pass to the membrane.
Symptoms of otitis externa are pain in the auricle, aggravated by pressure on it. If the boil is large, then soreness occurs even with the slightest opening of the mouth or facial movements. With diffuse inflammation, there may be purulent discharge. Hearing, as a rule, does not suffer.
In the treatment of external otitis media, alcohol turunds are used, which are introduced into the ear canal, physiotherapy. With severe inflammation, antibiotics are prescribed. If the boil is limited, "matured", it is opened surgically.
Acute suppurative otitis media
The defeat of the middle ear usually develops with the spread of the infectious process through the auditory tube. Acute otitis media of the middle section may be due to the presence of chronic inflammation in the ear, paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx. Otitis media can be purulent or catarrhal. Due to edema, an effusion (transudate) is formed. In children, this form of otitis is more common, since their pipe is shorter.
The course of otitis media is staged. The following stages are distinguished: catarrhal or initial, the stage of perforation of the membrane and the stage of resolving inflammation. The disease lasts several days, sometimes drags on for weeks.
Clinic of the disease
Acute otitis media of the middle ear in the initial stage is manifested by the appearance of pain in the ear, head and a rise in temperature. Hearing from the affected side is almost always reduced. On examination of the auditory meatus, hyperemia and edema are visible. The contours of the eardrum are smoothed, and when the process spreads, it swells. Then it breaks through and pus flows out of the cavity. After a membrane breakthrough, the pain is significantly reduced and the general condition improves, the temperature normalizes. In the next stage, the cessation of pus is observed, the perforated opening of the membrane grows together. There is a gradual recovery. A frequent complaint of a patient is hearing loss. In the blood, in the midst of inflammation, the number of leukocytes increases and ESR increases.
Acute otitis media in young children may vary in its course. The picture of inflammation can proceed unnoticed, without visible manifestations. He is noticed only when suppuration occurs. At the same time, the child is anxious, often cries and is naughty, does not suckle well. Neurological symptoms and inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx may join.
Treatment of purulent otitis media
Be sure to prescribe antibiotics in the treatment, preferably a wide range. At high temperature, antipyretics are indicated. Physiotherapeutic treatment is prescribed locally. Before suppuration, glycerol-alcohol drops are instilled into the ear, and when the discharge from the ear canal is separated, the instillation is stopped. If the treatment does not give an effect, perform a puncture of the eardrum. With the resolution of inflammation and scarring of the hole for the restoration of hearing, physiotherapeutic procedures, blowing and a special massage are performed.