The article discusses painkillers for otitis media.
Pain is an alarming symptom that indicates the presence of pathological processes in the human body. Against the background of otitis media, the pain is localized in the affected ear and is capable of radiating to the teeth, temple, neck or shoulder. In this case, pain in otitis media tends to increase and progress depending on the stage of development of the disease.
The stage of pus formation is considered the peak of the disease, as the fluid accumulated in the ear begins to significantly compress the eardrum, which can lead to its perforation. This condition is accompanied by various symptoms, including impaired auditory perception, congestion in the ear, and fever. Ear, head, and also a sore throat due to otitis media can become unbearable to such an extent that a person is ready to take any drug in order to get rid of unpleasant sensations. Consider the most popular pain medications for otitis media.
NSAIDs: description and properties
In modern medical practice, the most popular drugs from the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs are not addictive and are relatively safe for both adults and children. In addition, NSAIDs are affordable. The mechanism of action for all drugs in this group is approximately the same. NSAIDs inhibit inflammatory mediators, thereby relieving swelling, fever and blood stasis in the inflammatory focus. Pain impulses to the brain in this case are blocked and cease to reach their destination. Among other things, NSAIDs adversely affect the production of prostaglandins, which increase the conductivity of impulses. This allows you to quickly anesthetize otitis media.
The most effective analgesics
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include more than 50 drugs. Their main difference from each other is the speed and severity of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The following are considered the most effective analgesics:
- "Analgin."
- Ketorolac.
- "Paracetamol".
- "Propiphenazone".
disadvantages
The main disadvantage of all painkillers for otitis media in adults from the NSAID group is the appearance of unwanted reactions after prolonged use at elevated doses. The most common complaints are ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. Prostaglandins perform different functions in the human body, including provoking the production of protective mucus in the stomach. Drugs from the NSAID category stop the production of prostaglandins, which leads to thinning of the mucous layer and provokes damage to the gastric walls with hydrochloric acid. In addition, NSAIDs adversely affect the liver and kidneys.
Drops
Anesthesia by means of ear drops is considered the most effective. Preparations in the form of drops are convenient to use and have a quick positive effect. However, the appointment of these drugs should be done by your doctor.
It should be remembered that the use of anesthetic drops for otitis media is permissible only if the eardrum is not torn. Otherwise, not only a positive result will not follow, but the use of drops can provoke a deterioration. The consequence of this therapy can be damage to the hair cells in the ear, as well as the auditory nerve and receptor. Such complications can significantly reduce auditory perception or lead to complete deafness. This occurs as a result of the ototoxic effect of drops on the body. Perforation of the tympanic membrane can only be diagnosed during an ear examination by an otolaryngologist. The same specialist will prescribe painkillers for otitis media.
Drop Names
For adults, most often, specialists prescribe the following ear drops in the treatment of otitis media:
- Otipaks. The composition of the drug includes phenazone, which is a substance with an analgesic effect that relieves pain. In addition, the drug contains lidocaine, which also has a pronounced analgesic effect and reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings. Otipax is considered conditionally safe and can be prescribed to women during pregnancy and newborns. Adult patients are prescribed instillation of 3-4 drops in each auditory passage three times a day. When treating children, instillation is carried out in the morning and in the evening.
- Otisol. The effectiveness of the drug is ensured by the presence in its composition of such painkillers as phenylephrine and benzocaine. The drug constricts blood vessels and relieves swelling. Otizol can be prescribed to children from six months of age. In this case, one drop is instilled into each ear.
- "Anauran". These analgesic drops in the ears with otitis media have a pronounced antimicrobial and analgesic effect. The composition of the drug includes neomycin and lidocaine. We should not forget that "Anauran" does not mix well with certain types of antibiotics, namely streptomycin and gentamicin.
How to apply them correctly? Before using anesthetic ear drops for otitis media, they need to be warmed up a little, since when instilled in a cold form, the drug can cause dizziness and other uncomfortable sensations. To warm the drops, just hold the bottle with the drug in your hand for a while. After the instillation procedure, the ear closes with cotton wool for about 10 minutes.
Popular NSAIDs
When a person encounters an intense pain syndrome, especially localized in the ear region, he may forget that ordinary painkillers can also relieve the inflammatory process and pain.
The most popular NSAIDs, the most commonly prescribed by otolaryngologists, are:
- "Paracetamol". The drug effectively relieves pain. The active component is rapidly absorbed from the intestines, entering the bloodstream. The drug suppresses prostaglandins. The release form of "Paracetamol" is very diverse, from tablets and suppositories to syrup and solution for injection. It is very important to comply with the prescribed dosage, since an overdose can cause serious disorders throughout the body.
- "Ibuklin." In addition to paracetamol, ibuprofen is included in the composition of the drug. The drug effectively copes with pain in the ear and throat, and also eliminates joint aches and fever.
Many parents have concerns about whether NSAIDs can be used in childhood. However, such fears are groundless. In dosed quantities and the form of syrup released for children, paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe even for the youngest children who are three months old. Suspensions are sweet in taste, so there are no difficulties in taking.
What other pain medications for otitis media are used?
Boric acid
This tool has been used to anesthetize otitis media for a very long time. Boric acid has an antiseptic and analgesic effect. The action of the substance is often compared with an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin. Acid has the ability to accumulate, while slowly being eliminated from the body.
Treatment of children with boric acid requires increased caution. Boric alcohol is instilled in each auditory passage for 3-4 drops. Previously, the ear is cleaned with a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide. The best option is to leave boric acid in the ear at night.
Boric acid is contraindicated in case of damage to the eardrum, as well as for injuries and abrasions of the auditory canal. Before using boric acid, you need to consult a specialist. Many otolaryngologists consider this tool to be obsolete and prescribe more modern drugs to relieve pain and inflammation in the ear.
How to anesthetize the ear with otitis media is interesting to many.
Other painkillers
Many parents have faced a situation where a child wakes up at night and complains of severe pain in the ear. A doctor in this situation can help only in the morning, and there are no necessary painkillers at home. Traditional medicine methods can help in this case.
Compresses with a warming effect. They are made with a gauze napkin, in which a hole for the ear is cut. The cloth is moistened in a solution of alcohol and water at a rate of 1: 1, after which it is applied to the affected ear. You can put a layer of cotton wool on top and wrap a scarf around your ear. The duration of the compress is two hours. For a compress, you can also use a regular heating pad and salt or cereals heated in a pan wrapped in a towel.
Camphor preparations are very popular among adults. Children are not recommended to use them, since they have a certain degree of toxicity.
In general, pain medications for otitis media for children should be selected with great care.
Plants to help
In addition to compresses in childhood, the following plants are used:
- Calendula in the form of tincture. Cotton swabs are moistened in tincture and inserted into the ear canal. The plant has antibacterial properties. It relieves pain and inflammation caused by otitis media.
- Geranium. The essential oils contained in the leaves of the plant have an analgesic effect. You can insert into the ear as part of a whole sheet, and the pulp from the plant, applied to the compress.
- Aloe. To achieve an analgesic effect, you should cut off the leaves and hold them in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Then the juice of the plant is extracted, which is buried in the sore ear.
Conclusion
Do not self-medicate for otitis media. It is important to get specialist advice, since a purulent variant of the pathology in advanced cases can lead to sepsis and inflammation of the brain. An important point is also that it is not always allowed to warm the ear affected by otitis media. Sometimes this can trigger a worsening of the condition and the transition of ordinary otitis media into a purulent variant. Therefore, before you get a blue grandmother’s lamp from the mezzanine to warm your ear, you need to get expert advice and eliminate complications.