In the normal state, the Eustachian tube is closed. At the time of ingestion of food, due to the function of certain muscles located in the soft palate, the Eustachian tube opens and facilitates the penetration of air into the middle ear. So there is a constant aeration of this area.
If aeration is disturbed for some reason, then atmospheric pressure exceeds the pressure inside the eardrum. As a result of this, her position changes, she becomes retracted, approaches the wall of the promotorium. There is inflammation of the Eustachian tube, symptoms, the treatment of which is described in this article.
Cause of disease
All diseases that are accompanied by swelling of the mucous membrane and catarrhal changes in the nose and nasopharynx are able to cause simultaneous inflammation of the Eustachian tube, the treatment of which should be started in a timely manner.
Pathology is provoked by the following reasons:
- runny nose, acute or chronic;
- hypertrophic process in the posterior ends of the lower shells;
- the presence of adenoids;
- neoplasms in the nasopharynx;
- often recurring tonsillitis;
- hypertrophic process in the tonsils, which can cause secondary pathological changes;
- defects in the anatomy of the ear ;
- the presence of anterior or posterior tamponade with nosebleeds after surgery.
Typically, tubo-otitis is caused by staphylococci or streptococci. In children, the disease is often provoked by pneumococci, as well as diseases of a viral nature.
Nasopharyngeal infection extends to the Eustachian tube, as well as the middle ear. As a result, its permeability is sharply reduced.
If the patient has a predisposition to allergies, swelling of the middle ear and increased secretion, the risk of the onset of the disease increases significantly. All manifestations of the pathological process depend on the form that it took. Inflammation of the Eustachian tube, the treatment of which is carried out by a laryngologist, can be either acute or chronic.
How does the acute form manifest
The acute form, as a rule, develops against the background of a viral lesion of the body, a cold, which inflames the nasopharynx. With the process proceeding in an acute form, the patient notes a stable general state of health. The temperature indicator usually does not exceed 38 º. Intense pain is not felt. The patient may complain of hearing loss, nasal congestion, increased hearing of his own voice (feeling as if an echo is heard), apparent transfusion of water in the ear, constant noise.
On examination, swelling of the auditory tube, the narrowing of its lumen, and the mucous membrane are irritated. A closed eardrum provokes a decrease in pressure and expansion of blood vessels, the walls of which are thinning. This causes blood to leak through the capillaries.
How does the chronic course of the disease manifest
If in the acute form all the symptoms are temporary and after some time they cease to bother, then in the chronic course they are persistent. Atrophy is inherent in a chronic disease in the area of the mucous membrane of the tympanic membrane and membrane. The membrane becomes cloudy, necrosis can form.
In a chronic course, the tympanic membrane is retracted and deformed, the lumen of the tube narrows, the hearing is significantly impaired, some local areas turn red. Sclerosis of the tympanic membrane is noted . Inflammation can be complicated by adhesive otitis media, which provokes the appearance of adhesions that interfere with the patency of the Eustachian tube and ossicles in the ear.
How is the disease manifested in children
The anatomy of the ear canal of a child has great differences from the structure in an adult. Therefore, the child is more prone to ear diseases. The signs of eustachitis in infancy are exactly the same as in adulthood. The following symptoms are noted:
- the presence of noise;
- nasal congestion;
- hearing loss.
What to do if inflammation has arisen in such an area as Eustachian tube? Treatment at home is not recommended. You should contact a specialist.
Diagnosis of the disease
A laryngologist can detect the disease. Diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations and otoscopy. Manipulation can reveal the degree of retraction of the eardrum, the shortening of the handle of the malleus, a sharp bulging towards the ear canal of the small process.
To determine hearing impairment, tonal audiometry is performed. In addition, a regent of the paranasal sinuses is carried out, the function of the auditory tubes is studied by means of a sample with an empty sip of Toynbee, a sample of Polticera and the so-called Valsalva maneuver.
Treatment principles
How does inflammation of the Eustachian tube stop? Treatment begins after a thorough diagnosis and finding out the cause of the inflammatory process. Having determined it, it is necessary to eliminate the pathogen so that recovery goes away as quickly as possible.
The disease requires immediate treatment, since the acute form can quickly take a chronic course and lead to persistent hearing loss. And this significantly reduces the quality of life of the patient.
Drug treatment
The treatment of eustachitis depends on the cause that caused it. In the case of pathology of the nasopharynx, therapy is aimed at its elimination. When surges in atmospheric pressure when flying on an airplane or raising and lowering in water, ear blowing is applied using ordinary swallowing and a sharp exhalation with closed nostrils and a closed mouth.
Inflammation of the Eustachian tube (treatment, drugs is chosen only by the laryngologist!) Is stopped by various medications. The main focus is the administration of drugs that contribute to the narrowing of the vessels of the Eustachian tube and nasopharynx. This group includes Tizin, Nazivin, Rinostop, Galazolin, Xylen. They are issued without a prescription. Drops are introduced into the nose 2-3 times a day. Use these funds can be no more than five days.
Antibacterial drugs include Polydex, Sofradex, Normax, Dancil ear drops. Antihistamines - Suprastin, Erius, Claritin, Tavegil, Telfast, Zirtek - act as additional therapy.
In some cases, local hormones are prescribed. For example, "Nazonex", "Avamys", "Flixonase" are used. They are distinguished by a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.
If found in areas such as the Eustachian tube, inflammation, treatment involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-microbial agents. Usually used drugs that are buried in the ear (3-4 drops three times a day). Apply them should be no more than 10 days.
As local preparations against inflammation, furatsilin and boric acid 3% are used. For oral administration, antibiotics such as Amoxiclav, Cefuroxime, Afenoxin can be prescribed. They are taken twice a day, at a dose of 250-700 mg, strictly as prescribed by the doctor.
Purging the Eustachian tube through a catheter is highly effective. Hydrocortisone or adrenaline is administered. With proper therapy, the disease stops within a few days. If measures were taken late, then the disease can acquire a chronic form, which can be treated with difficulty.
If the process is neglected, surgical intervention may be required. An incision is made in the area of the tympanic membrane into which a catheter is inserted to aspirate fluid. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
To enhance the effect of treatment, physiotherapy is performed, and compresses are also used. Of physiotherapy should be noted UV, UHF region of the nose, laser therapy.
How else can inflammation of the auditory Eustachian tube be eliminated? Treatment after stopping an acute course with preserved decreased hearing involves the use of a method of blowing the auditory tubes or pneumatic massage. For blowing, the Politzer method or catheterization is used.
Politzer Method and Catheterization
The blowing of the ear along the Politzer is carried out by means of a balloon made of rubber, which is connected by a rubber tube to the olive. Oliva is inserted into the patient’s nostril. The wings of the nose are pinched. For air to enter the eardrum, the patient must swallow air and pronounce the word “cuckoo” loudly in syllables. When stressed on the syllable, the palatine curtain is raised and pressed against the back wall of the pharynx. At this point, the doctor makes a slight compression of the balloon. Air entry control is carried out using an otoscope.
With successful manipulations, as a rule, the patient's condition is optimized after 1-3 procedures. A hearing improvement of several days is possible. In this case, an additional purge is required after 1-2 days. Procedures are carried out for 2-3 weeks.
At low efficiency of the Politzer method, catheterization of the auditory tube is performed . Air is blown into the eardrum using a special ear catheter and rubber balloon. After manipulation, pneumatic massage of the eardrum is performed.
The essence of catheterization is that a variable pressure is applied to the eardrum, which helps to increase its elasticity, makes it mobile, and prevents the appearance of scars that lead to hearing loss.
The use of folk remedies
How else can inflammation of the Eustachian tube be eliminated? Treatment with folk remedies involves the use of a number of recipes:
- Aloe juice is mixed with warm boiled water in a ratio of 1: 1. This remedy is instilled into the nose every 5 hours. In addition, a swab is moistened with it and inserted into the ear.
- Onion juice is instilled into the nose before going to bed, and a warm bulb is placed in the ear area.
- Eucalyptus, lavender celandine, and yarrow are taken in equal proportions. Two tablespoons of herbal collection are poured with 0.5 liters of boiling water. The tool is infused in a thermos for 12 hours. Infusion is drunk three times a day for ¼ cup.
Disease complications
Inflammation of the Eustachian tube (symptoms, treatment with folk remedies and medicines we described in this article) with timely therapy, as a rule, is completely eliminated and does not cause any complications. But due to the fact that the symptoms of the disease are erased, the patient does not always get to the laryngologist on time, which provokes undesirable consequences. Steady hearing loss, purulent otitis media in acute form, deformation of the membrane, scarring of the tissues of the middle ear can be observed. Eustachitis can lead to complete hearing loss.
Prevention
In order to prevent inflammation of the Eustachian tube, the treatment of which is quite difficult, it is necessary to stop the diseases provoking it in time. It is necessary to constantly strengthen the immune system, not to use a large number of antibiotics, to abandon bad habits. Be healthy!