Otitis is a disease in the development of which patients develop an inflammatory process in the ear. The disease causes severe discomfort to the patient and interferes with the usual lifestyle. As medical practice shows, otitis media is much more common in a child than in an adult. In order to prevent the development of serious complications, it is important to implement timely therapy. Depending on the form and severity of the disease, the specialist prescribes the appropriate treatment. The duration of the course of therapy is determined by the doctor.
Types of disease
There are several types of otitis media. Depending on the part in which the inflammation occurred, the type of disease is determined. In total, there are three types of ailment:
- outer;
- middle ear;
- otitis media of the inner ear.
In most cases, the inflammatory process affects only one side. With a bilateral inflammatory process, the disease affects the nose, pharynx or larynx. Specialists distinguish several varieties of ear otitis media by the type of pathogen, namely:
- bacterial;
- viral;
- fungal;
- allergic
- traumatic.
There is an acute and chronic form of otitis media. During the development of the disease, pus is often secreted from the ear. With such symptoms, it is important not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor in a timely manner - this will help prevent the development of serious health problems.
Features of external otitis media
There are a sufficient number of reasons for which external otitis media may occur. Only after a thorough diagnosis is the doctor able to determine the factor that caused the development of the disease. Among the main factors that provoke ear otitis media are:
- ear injury;
- bathing in dirty water;
- long stay in the cold.
Among the main symptoms of this type of otitis media are:
- severe pain in the ear;
- feeling of stuffy ear;
- the appearance of hearing problems;
- the auricle swells and smells unpleasant.
In rare cases, rashes, scratches, red neoplasms appear in the ear canal. External ear otitis, by the nature of the course, can conditionally be divided into the following forms:
- A simple form of the course of the disease. In this case, the patient does not experience severe pain and discomfort. From time to time there is only a slight itching and an unpleasant sensation in the ear area.
- With a diffuse form of the disease, the patient has an increase in body temperature.
- With a malignant type of the disease, the skin and cartilage of the auricle are affected.
Due to the introduction of a fungal pathogen into the patient’s body, otomycosis develops. With this form of otitis media, the patient does not have fever, but itching and pain may appear.
Therapy process
Doctors do not recommend independently treating ear otitis media. If one of the symptoms of this disease appears, it is important to consult an otolaryngologist. Thanks to local therapy, you can get rid of the disease as soon as possible. After diagnosis, the patient is prescribed drops, which contain an antibiotic and hormone. Such substances will help eliminate the inflammatory process and swelling.
In order to prevent external otitis media in a child, experts recommend gently washing his ears. In the process of washing, it is necessary to use exclusively pure water - doctors do not advise to wash in water, since in this way you can introduce an infection and provoke the development of severe inflammation in the ear. It is forbidden at home to remove foreign bodies that have fallen into the ear - this can greatly harm the overall health of the baby.
Otitis media
Otitis media is most common. Such an ailment occurs due to advanced sinusitis, rhinitis, measles or flu. When a disease occurs, the patient feels slight pain and a feeling of stuffiness in the ear. In addition, secondary symptoms of ear otitis media may occur, which manifest themselves in the form of:
- loss of appetite;
- insomnia
- toothache or headache.
If one of the symptoms appears, it is important to visit the otolaryngologist.
Otitis stages
There are several stages of otitis media. Namely:
- Acute eustachitis is characterized by the fact that in the process of developing this stage of the disease, tinnitus appears, severe pain and discomfort.
- In acute catarrhal inflammation, the body temperature rises significantly, since an inflammatory process of the ear mucosa occurs.
- The perforated stage of acute purulent otitis media is dangerous because serious health complications may arise in the patient. Severe pain appears, which gives to the throat, nose and eyes. Body temperature rises significantly.
- At the postperforative stage, pus is released from the ear, the body temperature is normal, but pain is still present.
- At the reparative stage of the pathological process, inflammation gradually disappears.
But only a doctor can determine the stage of the disease. Only after a diagnosis is made, the specialist prescribes therapy (you can see a photo of ear otitis media in the article).
Essence of treatment
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, specialists wash the ear with antiseptics, for this they use a special catheter. Next, the doctor introduces a solution of glycerol and ethyl alcohol with a fleece using a fleece. Then he sticks the swab with petroleum jelly. During the day, he will warm the sore ear.
How is ear otitis media (purulent form) treated? In this case, it is necessary to apply a compress of ethyl alcohol and glycyrin (in equal proportions). If after the procedure the general state of health has not improved, the patient is punctured with an eardrum - this must be done for its subsequent rehabilitation. The specialist prescribes an antibiotic to the patient, depending on the pathogenic microflora, which provoked the development of the disease. In the process of treatment, the otolaryngologist prescribes medications that lower the temperature and relieve pain. Do not do without antibacterial drugs.
How to treat ear otitis media? You should know that self-medication can provoke the development of serious complications, up to hearing loss. In the chronic form of otitis media, it is first necessary to normalize the outflow of fluid from the eardrum. For limited otitis media, rinse the ear. Without surgery, granulation cannot be removed.
In order to prevent the development of the disease, it is important to timely treat rhinitis, pharyngitis and other diseases that provoke the occurrence of otitis media. The symptoms and treatment of otitis media should be discussed exclusively with a qualified specialist (photo of the disease is presented in the article).
What can be the complications?
In the event that the treatment of otitis is not timely carried out, a disease may occur - mastoiditis, in which a strong inflammatory process occurs in the tissues of the mastoid process. In the process of developing such a disease, constant pain in the ear is felt. Perhaps the release of pus, which lasts several weeks. If there is no breakthrough through the eardrum, then the fluid can flow in the opposite direction - into the meninges. This will provoke the development of severe intracranial complications.
Otitis media
This disease is concomitant, because it develops due to complications of influenza, sinusitis, measles. Among the main symptoms of otitis media of the inner ear are:
- feeling of nausea;
- headache;
- hearing problems;
- visual impairment;
- impaired attention;
- the patient may twitch the eye.
During the development of the disease, the symptoms gain momentum and cause severe discomfort to the patient. Under such conditions, a person cannot walk, sit and lead a familiar lifestyle. There are several factors that provoke the development of labyrinthitis, namely:
- viral and bacterial infections;
- otitis media;
- meningitis;
- ear injury.
In the event that after a complex treatment a person does not improve overall well-being, and there is severe pain in the ear, this may indicate that the disease has turned into a chronic form. If the disease is caused by bacteria, then antibiotics must be taken. The doctor does not prescribe these drugs to the patient only if the labyrinthitis has developed due to the penetration of the virus into the body.
With antihistamines, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting can be eliminated. A steroid drug will eliminate the inflammatory process. If pus is released from the ear during the development of the disease, surgery cannot be avoided. During surgery, the affected tissue is cleansed. A labyrinectomy is performed if the doctor has found exudate. Under such conditions, it is important to open the semicircular canals of the inner ear. Such actions are performed so that pus does not enter the cranial cavity.
In order to prevent the development of the disease, it is important to treat infectious diseases in a timely manner and not to self-medicate.
Otitis in a pregnant woman
In the process of carrying the baby, it is especially necessary to carefully monitor your health, since infections can be transmitted to the baby. If timely treatment is not carried out, then it is possible to harm the health of the child. With untimely treatment of otitis media, mastoiditis, chronic otitis media, inflammation of the brain and even blood poisoning can occur.
It is forbidden to independently carry out therapy. To eliminate fever and pain, the doctor prescribes drops in the nose, which will narrow the blood vessels - they will help eliminate inflammation and relieve swelling.
Effective drugs
How to treat ear otitis media? Before using medications during the treatment process, it is important to consult your doctor, as self-medication can provoke the development of serious complications. Among the most effective drugs for eliminating otitis media are:
- Otipax - the medicine effectively anesthetizes and eliminates inflammatory processes. Assign with otitis media, which occur with pain. It is forbidden to use if there is a hole in the eardrum.
- Otinum - dissolves sulfuric plugs, eliminates inflammation and anesthetizes. Do not use drops if you are allergic to acetylsalicylic acid.
- "Otofa" - the drug is effective for otitis media. Ear drops have an antibiotic in their composition. Doctors prescribe the drug for acute illness and exacerbation of the chronic form of otitis media. Recommended for use after surgical manipulation of the middle ear.
- "Normax" - effectively helps to cure ear otitis media in adults. The drug contains an antibiotic. It is prescribed for otitis media and eye infections. It is contraindicated for women during the period of bearing a baby and children under 17 years of age.
- "Anauran". The composition contains several antibiotics and a local anesthetic. Only as prescribed by the doctor, you can use drops during the period of bearing the baby.
- Polydex is a combination medicine that contains anti-inflammatory substances and an antibiotic. Use with external otitis media. It is contraindicated in case of traumatic damage to the eardrum.
You should know that the duration of the course of treatment and dosage are determined strictly by the attending physician. The instructions indicate only approximate information that is not the basis for treatment. Before prescribing the drug, the doctor takes into account the individual characteristics of the body, the severity of the disease and form. Based on the results of the diagnosis of the patient, the attending physician determines the tactics of therapy. Those people who have other health problems are forbidden to self-medicate, since the use of medications for other purposes can provoke the development of diseases.
Ear mite or otitis media?
How to distinguish the described disease from caused by the presence of an ear tick? First you need to find out the signs of the appearance of demodex. The severity of the symptoms depends on the type of parasites that enter the ear. Among the main symptoms of a tick in the ear are:
- development of edema;
- a feeling of severe itching and burning;
- redness of the skin in the affected areas;
- often appears acne on the face.
Only a doctor can accurately determine the presence or absence of a tick in the ear. In this case, the doctor prescribes complex therapy, namely:
- removes the parasite from the ear mechanically;
- a specialist flushes the ear canal with solutions or hydrogen peroxide - this procedure should be performed exclusively by a professional, otherwise serious health complications may arise;
- the doctor uses special drugs that have antiparasitic properties;
- eliminates the inflammatory process with the help of a special drug;
- prescribes antihistamine medication after the procedure.
With the help of electrophoresis, laser coagulation or ozone therapy, an ear tick is controlled if other methods of therapy have been found to be ineffective. At home, it is forbidden to carry out such procedures, since it can aggravate the problem. The process of therapy should be controlled by an otolaryngologist.
Treatment of otitis media with onions
In the treatment of acute ear otitis media, many on the advice of a specialist use onions. To carry out the therapy of the disease, it is necessary to cut off a piece of fresh onion and lay in the ear, cover with cotton wool and lie down on the sofa. The procedure is carried out several times a day, in the morning and in the evening. Onions can be baked in the oven. The juice that the vegetable secretes must be squeezed and instilled in the ear. With the help of fresh onion juice, purulent otitis media can be cured. To do this, it is necessary to soak turundas in the healing liquid of the vegetable and insert into the ear for about an hour.
Bay leaf therapy
Such a recipe can be used to treat otitis media in a child. You need 4 bay leaves pour a glass of boiling water. Wait until infused for 2 hours. A warm healing agent is instilled into the ear - 7 drops. Perform the procedure several times a day. Before using the product, you should visit a pediatrician.
The use of chamomile infusion
Ear otitis can be eliminated with chamomile. Chamomile has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. To cure otitis media, you need 2 tsp. pour two glasses of boiling water and insist for one and a half hours. After which the healing product is filtered and rinsed in the ear. The main thing is not to use too hot a liquid, since in this way you can harm and provoke the development of a strong inflammatory process.
Use of propolis alcohol tincture
This recipe is often used in the treatment of otitis media. Propolis tincture is necessary to soak a cotton swab, put it in your ear for several hours.
If the propolis tincture is combined with honey in equal proportions and thoroughly mixed, then you can get an effective cure for otitis media in people. It will positively affect the overall health of the patient.
But before carrying out treatment at home, it is important to consult a doctor - otherwise serious complications may arise. You should know that with a purulent form of otitis media, it is forbidden to rinse the ear, since the eardrum can rupture and the infection enters the body.
Note to patient
If one of the symptoms of otitis media appears, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication is prohibited. Effective drugs that eliminate the disease can only be prescribed by a specialist. Depending on the form and severity of the disease, the physiological characteristics of the patient, the doctor selects an effective medicine. The duration of treatment and dosage should be determined only by a doctor. Any folk remedies should be used only on the advice of a medical professional.
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, ear otitis in a child and an adult is treated much faster and more efficiently. In order to prevent surgical intervention, it is important to seek help in time when the first signs of otitis media appear.