The ear is the most complex organ that is responsible not only for hearing, but also for maintaining balance, since the vestibular apparatus is located in it. Therefore, some diseases of the ears can lead to impaired motor function - spatial orientation. The ear is a paired organ, it has a very complex structure. It consists of a conch, ear canal, middle ear and inner ear. The capture and conduction of sounds is a function of the outer ear and the middle, but the inner one already has two functions and, accordingly, two types of receptors, which are responsible for the perception of sounds and for the orientation of the human body in space.
Ear diseases are divided into inflammatory, non-inflammatory, fungal, as well as those diseases that developed as a result of injuries. More common than others are inflammatory ones - various otitis media, labyrinthitis, otosclerosis and others. Ear disease often develops as a complication of viral or bacterial infections of other organs.
Otitis can also appear as suppuration in a limited area, and affect the entire organ. There are acute and chronic forms. If his treatment is started on time, then the chances of a favorable outcome are very high and, as a rule, there are no relapses. But when they were late with the start of treatment or were self-medicating, otitis media can cause complications and even become chronic.
Pain and itching in the ear canal are signs of an inflammatory disease of the outer ear. Hearing can worsen at the very beginning of such a disease. If there is a strong, diffuse inflammation, then the auricles turn red and even fester.
If the inflammation touched the middle ear, then the temperature rises sharply and hearing is greatly impaired. The pain in the ear is strong, shooting, with a purulent course - purulent blood discharge. In severe cases, such ear diseases can not only become chronic, but also cause damage to the eardrum.
When the inner ear is damaged, severe dizziness occurs, hearing is rapidly lost, and a “running gaze” appears due to the impossibility of focusing it.
The above forms can pass into each other, labyrinthitis can also develop, mainly with untreated otitis media, and in the most severe cases even meningitis, blood poisoning and brain abscess. There are also complications such as facial paralysis and complete deafness. Therefore, do not underestimate otitis media and its consequences.
Acute otitis media develops as microorganisms enter the middle ear from the nasopharynx and nose as a result of their infectious diseases. How to treat ears? At the first symptoms, you need to, without delay, turn to a specialist - otolaryngologist. He can make a correct diagnosis, determine the stage of the disease and prescribe a full-fledged therapy and rehabilitation.
Severe stages of otitis media, any inflammation of the inner ear require inpatient treatment. It should be prescribed only after laboratory tests: sowing microorganisms for sensitivity to antibiotics. In the case of accumulation of purulent discharge in the cavities of the inner ear, where the outflow is complicated, sometimes you have to resort to surgical intervention - opening the eardrum.
Non-inflammatory ear diseases are also quite common. Most often, there is a hereditary disease that occurs with damage to the ear capsule - otosclerosis, which can cause significant hearing loss. Its symptoms are tinnitus, dizziness and hearing loss - the so-called Meniere's syndrome. Otosclerosis affects the inner ear and is characterized by an increase in the amount of fluid in it. Excess fluid presses on the cells regulating the vestibular apparatus and, as a result, bouts of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tinnitus. These manifestations can be reduced, but hearing loss cannot be stopped. The treatment is surgical.