Otitis is an infectious and inflammatory process that can affect absolutely all parts of the ear. It is one of the most famous pathologies in the practice of ENT doctors, accompanied by discomfort and can even cause hearing loss. Therefore, the question of how to treat acute otitis media in adults is relevant for many patients.
Nature of the disease
This is a disease that affects the ears. At the time of malaise, an active inflammatory process develops, which causes discomfort. The human ear does not end only on the auricle, thanks to which it is possible to pick up sounds. This organ is considered quite complex, because all its basic elements are located deep in the head. It is divided into external, internal and secondary. Each of these lobes can undergo an inflammatory process.
Otitis is a rather serious disease. All dangerous complications develop when timely treatment is not carried out. Activities should only be performed under the supervision of an otolaryngologist. If self-medication is present, then the ailment can translate into a chronic form or even lead to death.
Classification
Otitis in adults manifests itself in different ways and includes a large group of ear diseases. Depending on the speed and duration of the course of the disease, the following stages are observed:
By localization, it is possible to distribute diseases into three forms:
- external - this is an inflammatory process of the skin in the auricle or the auditory external course, manifests itself in the form of eczema, dermitis, erysipelas, furunculosis and sulfuric plugs;
- medium - is considered the most common form and occurs after infectious colds as a complication;
- internal - this is an inflammatory process that forms in the inner ear.
By the nature of the manifestation, the ailment is divided into:
- purulent - in the course of its course, many putrefactive deposits are formed;
- catarrhal - characterized by hyperemia and edema, during which blood vessels overflow with blood;
- exudative - proceeds with the formation of effusions.
Depending on the occurrence, they emit:
- bacterial;
- traumatic;
- viral.
Causes
Contrary to popular belief, acute otitis media in adults is most often not associated with exposure to drafts, hypothermia, water entering the ear, and walking in the cold season without a hat.
Most often, such an ailment develops due to the ingress of various pathogenic viruses and bacteria into the ear region during:
- inflammatory diseases of ENT organs, directly through the auditory tube;
- improper blowing of the nose, which is performed immediately by the two nostrils and during this period the contents of the nose fall into the area of inflammation;
- infectious diseases (SARS, influenza, measles, scarlet fever) with blood flow.
In addition, acute otitis media in adults can develop if air intake is difficult due to:
- the presence of adenoids, which are enlarged tissue of the pharyngeal tonsil;
- sharp curvature of partitions;
- expansion of the posterior ends of the nasal concha;
- at the time of injury to the eardrum, when exposed to an infection from the external environment, it is also called post-traumatic otitis media.
Acute diffuse external otitis media appears during inflammatory processes, which significantly cover the subcutaneous layers of the outer ear and skin. The main cause of the onset of the disease can be infection of the nasopharynx with bacteria or fungi, which result from:
- improper hygiene manipulations that are carried out at home;
- injuries
- chemical agents and foreign objects;
- burns.
Symptoms of acute otitis media in adults
The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
- the appearance of several or one boils at the site of damage;
- swelling of the outer ear;
- a significant increase in temperature, not lower than 38;
- pain
- expansion of the lymph nodes.
Symptoms of such a disease can be quite diverse and manifest in an uneven form. One of the main signs of pathology is the appearance of noise, congestion and pain in the affected organ. The malaise may not be strong, but it can be painful, and even felt deep in the ear, spread in the temporal or occipital region, sometimes reflected in the teeth. It should be noted that in this case, toothache can manifest itself so sharply and significantly that the patient does not think about other symptoms and goes directly to the dentist. Such sensations disrupt the patient’s sleep, can be pricking, throbbing and aching, and become more significant at the moment of blowing the nose, sneezing, swallowing and coughing.
There are still additional symptoms in which it is necessary to begin treatment of acute otitis media in adults:
- hearing loss;
- an increase in lymph nodes, which provokes soreness;
- discharge from the ear.
All of the above symptoms can exist both from the side of both ears (two-sided), and one of them (one-sided).
Such an ailment is often accompanied by the main signs of intoxication, namely a sharp increase in temperature and cumulative malaise. And reactions from the nasopharynx can also be observed:
- nasal congestion and discharge from it;
- sore throat.
Stages
This disease can occur in different ways, so it is classified in several stages.
Catarrhal otitis media is considered the initial stage of the disease and is expressed by the following symptoms:
- stuffy ear;
- a significant deterioration in overall health;
- severe pain of the affected organ.
Upon examination, the doctor observes:
- the auricle is painless;
- a wide external auditory canal is visible;
- fluid in the eardrum is not collected.
If it is incorrect to treat acute otitis media in adults at this stage, then it can be achieved that it will turn into a purulent form, and this is a serious indication for hospitalization.
Such inflammation, in turn, can be divided into two types.
1. The preperforative stage corresponds to a condition in which a significant amount of pus accumulates in the criteria for the integrity of the tympanic membrane in the middle ear cavity as a result of an increasing inflammatory process. The following symptoms are characteristic of it:
- ear and headache intensifies;
- hearing impaired in the affected area;
- there is a significant stuffiness of the ear and noise in it.
To diagnose the stage at the time of the examination, the doctor does not observe the outgoing secretions, and a purulent discharge is visible behind the red eardrum.
2. The perforated stage is a lesion of the middle part of the organ of hearing, in which, if you do not know how to treat acute otitis media in an adult and start it, the following symptoms will appear:
- significant suppuration forms;
- due to the fact that strong pressure forms, a complete rupture of the eardrum occurs inside the ear cavity
- after all contents have flowed out, the intensity of the pain gradually decreases.
When viewed from a specialist, there is a lack of integrity of the eardrum and there are purulent masses in the ear canal that perfectly flow through the perforation at the time of ear blowing.
Diagnostics
Often, other ailments are hidden under the symptoms of otitis media, so it is not recommended to engage in treatment yourself. An exact diagnosis can only be made by an otolaryngologist. In order to issue a verdict, a specialist performs a survey of the patient and examines the ear of his patient. Most often, information and anamnesis data obtained during the physiological examination are enough to detect the presence of acute otitis media in adults. Treatment of pathology is prescribed only after the formation of an accurate diagnosis.
If the signs are unexpressed, then the doctor must send for additional studies.
- To diagnose external otitis media, otoscopy, pneumatic otoscopy and otomicroscopy are used - these are the main methods of examining the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane using special medical instruments.
- To confirm otitis media, tympanometry is used - this is a special test for the mobility of the eardrum and the patency of the auditory ossicles. Acoustic reflectometry is also performed to register the aural muscles for sound stimulation. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is done only if there is a suspicion of the formation of intracranial or purulent complications.
- To detect internal otitis media, various studies of hearing are used to help check the operation of the nerve, which is sent to the brain directly from the inner ear. Electronamography is done to record the rhythmic or arrhythmic movements of the eyeballs. Computed or magnetic resonance imaging to detect various pathologies of the brain.
Treatment
Acute otitis media in adults is a common problem. Therefore, for his therapy, you need to use the right methods.
Vasoconstrictive drops in the nose are often used, since they reduce the swelling of the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube. These drugs include “Galazolin”, “Naphthyzine”, “Nazol” and many others, they simply become mandatory if a pathology is suspected.
Locally, antiseptic solutions begin to be injected into the ear canal. Not so long ago, boric acid was used for this purpose, and now our doctors often use it. Although in other countries, more modern and effective drugs are used to treat acute otitis media in adults. It happens that with significant pain, special drops are used that cause anesthesia, and anti-inflammatory hormones are also used. To date, there are a lot of medicines that are instilled into the ear. The most popular of them are Otinum, Otipaks, Sofradeks, Garazon and dozens of other drugs.
Antibacterial components play a special role in therapy; therefore, sulfonamides and antibiotics are often used in the treatment of acute otitis media in adults. These include Amoxicillin, Cefuroxime, Ceftriaxone and Azithromycin. The use of such funds has a number of features. The drug should not only act on bacteria, but also well seep into the tympanic cavity.
The given treatment methods should in no case be taken into account as a regimen for therapy. This must be done by a doctor who has a good qualification. It must be remembered that with timely and proper treatment of acute otitis media in adults, the ailment ends quickly enough and most often does not form a hearing loss. If you delay the therapy or self-medicate, then this can result in serious problems. The most harmless if such an otitis media becomes chronic, and a bad option is complete hearing loss and purulent meningitis.
There is no need to worry much if suppuration begins to appear from the ear, since with proper therapy a small scar forms at the site of rupture of the tympanic membrane, which in the future almost never leads to hearing loss.
The procedure for the treatment of acute otitis media in adults:
- immediately seek the advice of an otolaryngologist;
- when this is not possible, it is allowed to use vasoconstrictors on your own in the nose, which perfectly remove swelling, and drip the above drops into the ear, which, in addition to anti-inflammatory effects, can perfectly dissolve earwax;
- it is important that the ear is in dry heat, for this, cotton wool is put in it, and then a headscarf or hat is put on;
- you need to know that it is not allowed to apply hot heating pads.
All of the above recommendations will not allow you to lose precious time, such necessary to get to the doctor on time and not get complications.
ethnoscience
In addition to the use of drugs in the treatment of acute otitis media in adults, recipes are also used that can be prepared independently at home.
- Onion with oil - these components are used for purulent course of the disease. To do this, you need to cook gruel or squeeze juice from onions and add a small amount of butter or linseed oil there. Freshly prepared mass is introduced along with the swab into the ear.
- Chamomile is used to treat acute moderate serous otitis media in adults. For this, the nose is washed with a warm solution from it. For cooking, you need 1 tsp. dry component per cup of boiling water. Let it brew well and strain. If the pain is very severe, it is indisputable that you need to go to the doctor, as the inflammatory process quickly goes to the periosteum and causes damage to the cerebral membrane.
- For the treatment of acute purulent otitis media in adults, a collection of angelica, peppermint, coconut lavender 3 tbsp. Is also used. L., medicinal sweet clover - 2 tbsp. L., Burmese ivy - 1 tbsp. l (It is important to know that the last ingredient is poison, so you should not overdo it with it). The prepared mixture is poured with 0.5 l of boiling water or infused with vodka. After preparation, the swab is moistened in a liquid and inserted into a sore ear. It also helps if hearing loss is present.
- Juice from walnut leaves is instilled 3 drops in each ear with purulent otitis media.
- Chamomile and Melilotus officinalis flowers help in the treatment of acute secondary serous otitis media in adults. To do this, take in equal parts 2 tbsp. l Collect and steam with 1 cup of hot water, after 30 minutes, insist and filter. In the infusion, moisten the cloth and squeeze a little, apply as a compress.
- Stir oak bark, calamus rhizome, uproot root and thyme. For infusion, you need 2 tbsp. l collection to wrap in a cloth and put in a glass of boiling water for 4 minutes, then squeeze. Such poultices are required to be performed 3-4 times a day.
- The juice of fresh basil leaves is instilled in 7-10 drops a couple of times a day.
- It is necessary to prepare 2 tbsp. l rhizomes of the hemorrhagic drug and pour 2 cups of boiling water over it, warm it in a water bath for 30 minutes, and then insist for 15 minutes. Use 3-4 times a day for 1 tbsp. l with purulent course.
Complications
If the treatment of symptoms of acute otitis media in adults is incorrect, then this form can become chronic. The neglected stage leads to a partial or complete defect in the tympanic membrane and to periodically renewed or incessant discharge of pus from the ear. In the end, the patient's hearing decreases.
Complications are not so common, many promptly and timely turn to the doctor for help, because they understand how important this treatment is. If you let the disease drift, the following problems may occur:
- choleostomy, proliferation of tissue behind the eardrum, resulting in deteriorating hearing;
- destruction of the auditory ossicles of the middle ear, namely the malleus, anvil and stapes;
- mastoiditis is an inflammatory lesion in the temporal bone of the mastoid process;
- rupture of the tympanic membrane, as a rule, for such a wound to heal, it takes about two weeks.
The above complications are not as dangerous as intracranial can become. If you do not know how to treat acute ear otitis media in adults, then this can even lead to brain abscess, meningitis, focal encephalitis and hydrocephalus. Such problems are very rare, but still they happen and are considered extremely dangerous. Complications that affect the brain can be fatal.
Recommendations
In order for the treatment to be successful, it is necessary to observe bed rest. Adults and busy people need at least a couple of days to be at home on sick leave and not go to sports training. Both physical and mental peace are very important, as this contributes to recovery.
All the advice of a doctor must be followed and strictly followed. You cannot prescribe pharmaceutical preparations for yourself, the only thing that is allowed is to use drops for acute otitis media in adults of the Otipax type, as they will significantly improve the condition and help to get to the doctor with less pain. It is not allowed to interrupt the administration of drugs after the symptoms of the disease disappear without a doctor's prescription. And it is also recommended before going to him to drink a pill of “Paracetamol”, as it does not harm health. This drug is effective and has few contraindications.
Prevention
The best defense is always an attack. Therefore, the use of preventive measures after the disease has been cured is necessary.
According to experts, if you follow the recommendations, you can reduce the risk of otitis media again to a minimum:
- it is necessary to avoid getting water in the ears, if this cannot be done, then they need to be dried well;
- while cleaning the ears it is forbidden to remove all sulfur, you need to leave at least a little, as it is a protector against infection;
- it is imperative to observe personal hygiene and at the slightest discomfort in the ears you need to consult an otolaryngologist, because even a small problem can turn into a global one.
It should be noted that with timely treatment, otitis media is not a big deal. Do not self-medicate, since without special equipment and knowledge it is impossible to assess the level of the problem. Using folk remedies, of course, is recommended, but only as an addition to the main drug therapy.