Perhaps otitis media can be called a childhood illness. Kids under the age of three in 80% of cases at least once, but suffered this pathology. By 5-7 years, otitis media appears less frequently. Adults can also suffer this pathology. However, in them it is often a complication of a disease. From this article you will find out what are the symptoms of otitis media. You can also find out ways to treat this pathology. It is worth saying that there are signs of otitis media in infants, because a small child is not able to explain what hurts him.
What is otitis media?
This disease is an inflammation of the ear in different parts of it. In this case, there may be abundant discharge from the ear canal (purulent otitis media). However, more often the pathology has an acute form. Chronic otitis media is less common. In this case, the disease has virtually no symptoms, but can greatly harm human health.
Classification
Currently, there are three main types of pathology. Symptoms of otitis media in an adult with various types of disease can be different. So, pathology is found in the following form:
- Otitis externa. In this case, the skin near the ear canal and the gap to the eardrum become inflamed.
- Otitis media is average. Inflammation affects the eardrum, Eustachian tube and additional elements. Signs of otitis media are most often found in children.
- Labyrinthitis. This form may also be called otitis media. The inflammatory process develops behind the eardrum and affects the cochlea.
Symptoms of pathology
Otitis symptoms may be different. It all depends on what form of pathology is developing. In most cases, pain occurs. The patient complains of shooting sensations in the ear, which suddenly appear and pass equally spontaneously. The signs of otitis media in an adult are as follows:
- The appearance of inflammation and redness around the entrance to the ear canal. In this case, we are talking about external otitis media. An abscess with a rod appears here, which gradually increases in size and turns blue.
- Redness of the auditory canal and eardrum. These first signs of otitis media most often indicate inflammation of the middle ear.
- The appearance of an abscess in the eardrum. In this case, we are talking about purulent otitis media. The inflamed area grows and after some time is opened. It is worth noting that this does not always happen spontaneously.
What are the symptoms of the disease in children?
Signs of otitis media in an infant cannot always be determined correctly. Often parents are not able to recognize the cause of the baby's anxiety and start the disease. That is why it is so important to know what types of otitis media have in young children. Most often, the manifestations are as follows:
- restless behavior during the day and sleep disturbance at night;
- sudden causeless crying;
- the child grabs his ears with his hands and turns his head;
- there is severe pain when swallowing, so the baby can take her mother’s chest and immediately withdraw with crying;
- with pressure on the tragus of the auricle, the child withdraws and begins to cry.
Causes of pathology
So, you know what otitis media has in various cases. What causes a disease?
In most cases, pathology is a complication of a prolonged runny nose. This cause is especially common in children. With improper blowing or head position in a dream, snot flows into the Eustachian tube and causes inflammatory processes.
Also, the disease can develop when microbes enter the ear. This often happens when swimming in public waters.
The cause of otitis may be damage to the eardrum and the ear canal. This occurs when the ears are not cleaned properly and foreign objects are pushed into the ear.
Often from patients you can hear the expression "ear puffed up." Indeed, draft and hypothermia can also cause the development of the disease. However, this happens with a general decrease in immunity.
How to cure the disease?
Depending on what features the otitis media has, an appropriate correction is assigned. It is imperative to take into account the patient's age and form of pathology. Do not engage in self-assignment, as it can lead to neglect of the process.
Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs
Antimicrobials are often prescribed to treat otitis media . They can be used for local exposure or taken orally. These include the tablets “Summamed”, “Flemoxin”, drops in the nose “Isofra”, “Protargol”, means for processing the ear passages “Otofa”, “Otipaks”.
It is worth noting that ear drops can not be used with a purulent form of otitis media. Otherwise, the drug may fall on the opened eardrum and cause temporary hearing loss and severe pain.
Antipyretic and analgesic drugs
If during the pathology the temperature rises or severe pain occurs, then you need to use these drugs. When it comes to otitis media, it is better to give drugs before bedtime. Otherwise, the baby can sleep poorly and worry all the time from pain. This group includes drugs such as Paracetamol, Nurofen, Nimulide, Nise. All of them are prescribed in a certain dosage in accordance with age.
Surgery
With a purulent form of otitis media, when the affected area does not open itself, surgical intervention may be necessary. Most often it is carried out within the walls of the hospital. The doctor opens the abscess and cleanses its internal cavity. After this, antibiotic therapy and caution are recommended.
Additional funds
Always with otitis media, nasal preparations are prescribed. Most often these are vasoconstrictor drugs. They help relieve swelling and improve the permeability of the walls for the action of drugs.
Warming with camphor oil can also be prescribed . In this case, a cotton swab soaked in the product is inserted into the ear canal for a while. If necessary, the doctor prescribes a throat treatment, as these organs are closely related.
Prevention
To avoid illness, you should carefully monitor your health. Observe the following rules, and you can protect yourself as much as possible:
- Clean your ears with special detergent.
- Do not stuff objects into your ears.
- After bathing, shake the water out of your ear.
- Avoid liquid from open water in the ear canal.
- Treat a runny nose and sore throat in time.
- Do not engage in self-appointment; visit an orthorhinolaryngologist if necessary.
- Avoid drafts and hypothermia.
- Boost your immunity and harden.
Take preventative measures and do not get sick!