Inflammation of the inner ear: symptoms in adults and children

Inflammation of the inner ear occurs in people of all age groups. Therefore, it is important to know not only the causes and symptoms, but also treatment options. It is also better to adhere to elementary rules for the prevention of this pathology.

Inflammation of the inner ear is a rare form of otitis media. The disease depends not only on infection in the nasopharynx or some kind of mechanical injury. It can cause various ailments associated with provoking inflammation of microorganisms. For example, measles or mumps.

First of all, the causes of the disease should be established. And after you determine the treatment and symptoms of inflammation of the inner ear in adults or children.

The inner ear is located deep enough, so the inflammatory process most often occurs due to infection.

There are several main causes that can cause inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinthitis).

Middle ear inflammation (otitis media)

The middle ear is separated from the inner by connective tissues. Therefore, upon infection of a membrane consisting of such tissues, harmful microorganisms can easily penetrate inside. The pus begins to stagnate, and as a result, there is an increase in pressure on the maze.

Infectious diseases

Pathogens can penetrate the inner ear and from the brain area. In this case, the cause of inflammation is various forms of meningitis. In this situation, the infection covers both ears of the patient, which can lead to deafness.

Injuries

Pathogenic bacteria can enter the maze due to injury. Therefore, you need to protect yourself from negative external influences on the ears.

Viral diseases

This form of the disease can develop due to past complications during mumps, syphilis, measles, tuberculosis and other viral infections. According to the form of the course, the inflammation of the inner ear is acute and chronic, by the nature of the inflammatory process - purulent, serous and necrotic. And inflammation can spread both locally and to both hearing organs.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinthitis) will be as follows:

• dizziness;
• hearing may worsen for a while;
• loud noises in the head;
• nausea;
• problems with orientation in space.

Virtually each of these signs is directly related to the effect of the inflammatory process on the vestibular system. In the absence of timely treatment, it is difficult for the patient to even get on his feet and move independently in space.

If the patient develops this ailment, then discomfort in the head may bother him. The main symptom of inflammation of the inner ear in children and adults is constant dizziness. It will seem to the patient that things and objects are spinning in space, his head is spinning after he sneezes or rides in a car.

When this disease occurs, vibrations caused by reflexes occur on the front of the eyeball, they first appear from the side of the healthy ear, then move to the side of the diseased organ.

A person does not hear well, this is visible due to tinnitus, and the patient does not perceive high frequencies. Labyrinthitis with untimely treatment can lead to complete deafness of the patient.

This disease manifests itself in damage to the facial nerves, if the disease is not cured in time, this part of the face remains paralyzed.

How to determine?

To determine the disease, you need to know the symptoms. Diagnosis of inflammation of the inner ear will begin with an examination. The doctor should be alert:

1. If the patient raises his eyebrows, but there are no wrinkles on his forehead.
2. There is no symmetry with the tip of the nose.
3. The corners of the mouth become motionless.
4. The patient has an increased saliva.
5. The eyeball becomes completely dry, the patient is not able to close his eyes.
6. The taste of food is changing.
7. The patient hears better various sounds in a noisy room.

In addition to these symptoms, there may be pallor of the face, vomiting, palpitations in the wrong rhythm, increased sweat, discomfort in the chest area. At the same time, a person can completely lose orientation in space; in severe forms of this disease, the patient can neither get on his feet nor sit down.

Otitis externa

The easiest way to identify this disease is to click on the ear canal from the outside, the patient will feel pain. Hearing basically remains at the same level as before. Now, if pus appears inside the ear canal, then hearing may also deteriorate.

Otitis media

There is a patient in acute or chronic form, there are two types of this disease. In the first case, fluid collects inside the ear, in the second case - pus. Sharp, sharp pain in the neck, crown of the head and common headaches. A sound can also be felt, as if fluid splashes in the ear, lays ears.

The pain is sharp, hearing is getting worse, fever. With the initiation of timely treatment, the patient’s hearing remains the same and does not deteriorate.

Any of these diseases can be cured, it is only necessary to make a diagnosis on time and start therapy.

Diagnostics

To diagnose inflammation of the inner part of the ear, it is necessary to conduct a number of specific studies, which are prescribed by the otolaryngologist.

The first stage of the diagnosis of the disease consists of a doctor examining such parts of the ear as the auricle, the eardrum, and the area behind the outside of the ear canal (behind the ear). This study is carried out using a device specially designed for these purposes - an otoscope.

At the first signs of an ailment, you should immediately consult a specialist. It is important to prevent complications. Further laboratory studies are carried out. Do a general blood test. If fluid is released from the auditory organ, then it is examined. Also, an accurate diagnosis helps determine the radiography. To identify suppuration, conduct computed tomography. As for such a procedure as examination of the eardrum, they resort to it if internal otitis media has arisen from inflammation of the middle ear.

In addition, other diagnostic methods are possible, using certain tools:

1. When using a special device - an audiometer - it is determined how sharp and sensitive hearing is. The procedure is called audiometry.
2. In what condition is the vestibular apparatus - detected by vestibularmetry.
3. When inflammation of the inner part of the ear occurs, nystagmus appears, it is examined with the help of electronistamography.

To confirm or refute the diagnosis, also use magnetic resonance and computed tomography, x-ray. The patient also gives blood and discharge from the patient’s ear for tests, the delivery of which is necessary in order to determine whether the disease is viral or bacterial, because the difference in treatment is significant.

Treatment

The entire treatment process takes place exclusively in a hospital under the constant supervision of physicians. If the cause is a bacterial infection, then antibiotics are required. If the cause is a viral pathogen, then antibacterial agents are ineffective to use.

Medications for labyrinthitis

In the treatment of inflammation of the inner ear, conservative therapy is preferred. In order to reduce symptoms, it is recommended that treatment include such drugs:

• Various antiemetic drugs. Among the popular ones can be noted “Tserukal” or “Compazin”.
• To relieve inflammatory processes, steroid medications are recommended. For example, "Methylprednisolone" is suitable.
• In some cases, funds from the anticholinergic group will be needed.
• Special patches are easy to stick in the ear area, and the result is palpable quickly enough.
• Antihistamines are required to reduce dizziness and nausea. One of the popular medicines is Suprastin. It is suitable for adults and children. Affordable price, minimal side effects.
• To reduce anxiety, put light sedatives.
• Vestibulolytics will be prescribed only for impaired circulation in the body.

Other treatments

Also, with the symptoms of inflammation of the inner ear, the following treatment options are used:

• Diuretics
• Diet.
• The use of glucose and calcium chloride.

Depending on the condition of the body, vitamin complexes are recommended. For example, a large dose of vitamin C. A prerequisite for successful rehabilitation is bed rest.

Surgical intervention

If the entire surface of the inner ear is affected or there is some suppuration, then surgery is necessary. The sanitized general cavity trepanation helps to remove all pus in the maze. A labyrinectomy is necessary for simple options of suppuration. But it is carried out only in exceptional cases. However, most often before conducting any surgical intervention, the patient is prescribed treatment with medications within a week.

Folk remedies

Folk recipes are recommended only as an adjuvant. They are effective in tandem with conservative treatment. Possible options:

• Take two tablespoons of the roots of the medicinal hemorrhage. Pour with two glasses of boiling water. The future broth is heated in a water bath for half an hour. It is enough to take one tablespoon up to three times a day.
• A swab dipped in onion juice and vegetable oil must be kept in the auricle for several hours.
• It is strictly forbidden to apply a warm heating pad to the localization zone of the inflammatory process. There is a big risk that pus will fall into the cranial cavity.

When treating inflammation of the inner ear, it is important to consult a specialist in time. In most cases, complications can be avoided.