Diseases of the middle ear dramatically worsen the well-being of a person. This area is equipped with a large number of nerve endings. Therefore, most pathologies are accompanied by severe pain. Such diseases require immediate treatment, as they threaten hearing impairment. Damage to the middle ear can affect the organ of balance, so patients often experience dizziness. It is important for every person to know about the causes and symptoms of middle ear diseases. After all, such pathologies are very dangerous to run.
Causes
Most often, such diseases arise as complications of other pathologies of ENT organs. After all, the middle ear communicates with the nasal cavity and throat. The following infectious diseases can provoke inflammatory diseases of the middle ear:
- rhinitis;
- sinusitis;
- sinusitis;
- angina;
- flu;
- pharyngitis.
Bacteria and viruses from the nasal cavity and throat enter the middle ear and cause inflammation. Most often this occurs in people with reduced immunity.
However, pathologies of the organ of hearing occur not only after infections. Otolaryngologists distinguish the following causes of diseases of the middle ear:
- ear irritation due to inaccurate hygiene procedures;
- long stay in the cold;
- water entering the ear canal;
- loud sounds and changes in external pressure;
- hearing injuries;
- genetic defects in the development of the ear;
- allergy;
- non-compliance with hygiene of the auditory meatus;
- old sulfur plugs.
Next, we will consider in detail the most common diseases.
Acute otitis media
Most often, patients have acute otitis media - inflammation of the middle ear. Children are especially susceptible to this disease, since their structure of the hearing organ has its own characteristics. The infection enters the ear region from the throat or nose through the Eustachian tube. Most often the causative agents of the disease are staphylococci, pneumococci and hemophilic bacillus.
How is this middle ear disease? Symptoms of inflammation are usually very pronounced:
- There is a strong shooting pain in the ear, giving to the head.
- The temperature rises.
- Dizziness is periodically noted.
- A person experiences a general malaise.
- The patient complains of congestion and tinnitus.
- Feeling of heaviness and bursting in the ear canal.
- The hearing is getting worse.
As inflammation develops, the middle ear cavity is filled with exudate. The patient feels severe pain, chills and constant dizziness. Disease of the middle ear, accompanied by suppuration, must be treated immediately. Otherwise, the inflammatory process can go to the region of the inner ear. This threatens the development of hearing loss, and sometimes complete loss of hearing.
Flu otitis media
This type of otitis media occurs as a complication of influenza. In this case, the disease is caused not by bacteria, but by viruses. This pathology is also called bullous otitis media. In the cavity of the middle ear, bubbles form - bullae. They are filled with serous fluid or bloody contents.
The patient is concerned not only with pain, but also with discharge from the ear. When the vesicles break out, a clear or reddish liquid flows from the ear canal. This creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of bacteria. Therefore, it is urgent to carry out the rehabilitation of the affected cavity and remove the exudate. Otherwise, the infection can go to the brain and cause meningitis.
Mastoiditis
Mastoiditis is a serious disease of the middle ear. Symptoms of the disease resemble otitis media. However, with mastoiditis, the inflammatory process spreads from the tympanic cavity to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. This disease often develops as a complication of otitis media. Especially susceptible to this pathology are patients with congenital disorders of the bone structure.
In addition to signs of otitis media, a person feels pain behind the ears. It is accompanied by high fever and fever. The skin in the behind-the-ear area turns red and swells. Pus comes out of the ear canal. When you click on the skin behind the auricle, pain is felt.
With advanced forms of mastoiditis, the process of the temporal bone is destroyed. Infection can enter the brain or eyes, leading to meningoencephalitis and sepsis.
Glomus tumor
Glomus tumor refers to benign neoplasms. However, this is a very dangerous middle ear disease. In the tympanic cavity or in the initial section of the jugular vein, a tumor is formed consisting of glomus cells.
In humans, hearing is impaired, and the face becomes asymmetric. These are external signs of the disease. However, a glomus tumor can only be detected with an MRI or CT scan. In the picture, it looks like a red clot behind the tympanic cavity.
This neoplasm is prone to proliferation. The tumor can spread to the brain and blood vessels, which leads to death. It is impossible to completely get rid of a glomus tumor; treatment is aimed at stopping its growth.
Qatar middle ear
Qatar of the middle ear usually precedes purulent otitis media. Bacteria penetrate the tympanum when abruptly blowing or inaccurate washing of the nasal passages.
With catarrh, the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube becomes inflamed. The pathological process does not yet extend to the entire middle ear cavity. Bacteria stimulate the activity of glands that produce mucus. The patient has a constant discharge from the ear. They have a liquid consistency and contain an admixture of mucus. Exudate fills the ear canal, which leads to hearing loss. The secretion of mucus creates favorable conditions for the growth of microorganisms. In the future, the patient develops otitis media.
Ear tuberculosis
Drum cavity tuberculosis is a fairly rare middle ear disease. This pathology makes up about 3% of all cases of purulent otitis media. This disease is never primary, it always develops against pulmonary tuberculosis. The causative agent of the disease (Koch's wand) enters the tympanic cavity with blood flow or when coughing.
Tubercles and infiltrates form in the tympanic cavity. Subsequently, ulcers appear in their place. In advanced cases, bone tissue is exposed, which leads to its destruction.
In the acute course of the pathology, the symptomatology of the disease resembles signs of purulent otitis media. If the tuberculous process proceeds in a chronic form, then the patient can only have suppuration from the ear canal without pain.
Syphilis ear
Syphilitic lesion is a rare disease of the middle ear. It occurs in patients in the secondary and tertiary period of syphilis. The causative agent of the disease (pale treponema) enters the cavity of the tympanic membrane with blood flow.
In the middle ear, inflammation forms, accompanied by the formation of nodules (gum) and ulcers. Over time, this leads to tissue destruction. The pathological process can spread to the process of the temporal bone.
Drum syphilis is very rarely accompanied by pain. Often patients only complain of tinnitus. Such patients are usually registered with a venereologist and rarely seek the help of an otolaryngologist.
Diagnostics
In case of unpleasant sensations in the middle ear (pain, stuffiness, noise), it is necessary to consult an otolaryngologist. The patient is prescribed the following tests and examinations:
- radiography of the temporal bone;
- MRI and CT examinations of the tympanic cavity;
- smear from the outer ear;
- backseat aspirate from the middle ear;
- audiometry.
If tuberculosis or syphilis is suspected, it is necessary to take a Mantoux test and take a blood test for the Wasserman reaction. However, damage to the middle ear usually occurs in the late stages of such pathologies, when the underlying ailment is already diagnosed.
Treatment
The choice of treatment for middle ear diseases depends on the type of pathology. After all, each ailment requires its own approach to therapy.
With otitis media and middle ear catarrh, patients are prescribed antibiotics for oral administration:
- Amoxiclav;
- Ampicillin
- Chloramphenicol;
- Ceftriaxone.
In severe cases, the drugs are injected. Topical application of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drops for the ears is also indicated. The following drugs are prescribed:
- Otofa;
- Tsipromed;
- Otinum;
- Sofradex
- Otipaks.
If the ear cavity is filled with pus, then paracentesis is necessary. With this procedure, the doctor makes an incision on the eardrum. As a result, the exudate goes out. Then, sanitation and washing with antiseptics of the inflamed cavity are carried out.
Treatment of mastoiditis is carried out by similar means. In most cases, this disease lends itself to conservative therapy. In the later stages of the pathology, an operation is indicated - mastoidotomy. Under anesthesia, the patient is incised with subcutaneous tissue and periosteum, and then the affected areas of the bone are removed.
A humus tumor in the middle ear cannot be completely removed. To avoid dangerous complications, it is necessary to suspend the growth of the neoplasm. To this end, cauterize the tumor with a laser. This disrupts the blood flow in the neoplasm and prevents further growth.
If a patient is diagnosed with tuberculosis or syphilitic lesion of the middle ear, then it is necessary to carefully conduct therapy of the underlying disease. Local treatment is the same as with ordinary otitis media.
Prevention
How to prevent tympanic pathology? Prevention of diseases of the middle ear is to comply with the following recommendations:
- It is necessary to cure diseases of the nose and throat in time.
- If water gets into your ear, immediately remove the fluid.
- During rhinitis, too sharp blowing should be avoided.
- It is necessary to carefully observe the hygiene of the external auditory meatus and remove sulfur plugs in time.
- When cleaning your ears, you need to use cotton buds and avoid rough exposure to your hearing.
- Patients with tuberculosis and syphilis need to visit a doctor regularly and follow the recommended treatment regimen.
For any discomfort in the middle ear and persistent dizziness, you should immediately consult a doctor. This will help prevent future hearing problems.