Purulent otitis media is an ailment that is characterized by inflammation of the ear and can be both chronic and acute. Its pathological process completely depends on the virulence of microorganisms and is reflected in the state of the human immune system. Also, according to statistics, 30% is exactly the acute form of otitis media. Most often they suffer from children under 5 years old and older people, less often adolescents.
To cause purulent otitis media (according to the ICD - H66) and affect the organ of hearing can:
- streptococci;
- staphylococci;
- pneumococci;
- hemophilic bacilli and various microorganisms.
Any inflammation of the ear is very dangerous, therefore it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately after the first symptoms of the disease are found, which are described below.
Symptoms of this disease
At the first stage of acute purulent otitis media, similar symptoms are detected:
- pain in the ear, which, growing, can give to the crown, temple and dentition;
- hearing loss;
- the appearance of various noises and stuffiness in the ear;
- hyperthermia;
- hyperemia;
- intoxication syndrome.
This initial stage of purulent otitis in adults and children lasts, as a rule, up to three days. And after that, there is a transition to another stage, and the patient has the following symptoms:
- Breakthrough of the membrane. At this point, pus is released. This process can last up to 7 days.
- The pain in the ear gradually subsides.
- The general condition of the patient is stabilized.
- Body temperature is close to normal.
Signs of purulent otitis media are difficult to confuse.
If you do not start treatment on time, then unpleasant complications will arise:
- membrane rupture;
- cholesteatoma;
- hearing loss;
- hearing loss;
- intracranial pathology;
- brain abscess.
When the first symptoms appear, it is important to immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis and further therapy. Purulent otitis media affects both children and adults alike. And no restrictions on gender.
How does the infection get?
The main causes of the development of the disease are the penetration of infection into the inner and middle ear and a decrease in the general reactivity of the body.
This can happen in several ways:
- through the auditory tube;
- the infection enters the ear after damage to the eardrum ;
- transmitted from the cranial cavity;
- the infection penetrates with a blood stream (this is mainly observed with diseases of the flu, scarlet fever, tuberculosis and typhoid).
The main reason for this development of pathology is the defective or improper treatment of acute ear inflammation.
Otitis has an acute and chronic form.
Chronic form
Chronic suppurative otitis media is determined by inflammation of the middle ear. Its main characteristic is the course of purulent exudate from the ear cavity. Other symptoms include hearing loss and perforation of the eardrum. This disease, it is worth noting, can manifest itself as chronic rhinitis and sinusitis.
Usually, chronic otitis media can occur as early as childhood. Staphylococci, pneumococci and pseudomonads can provoke it. This form of otitis may also take the form of epithympanitis. In addition to the mucosa, bone structures of the mastoid process are included in the pathological process. Its localization in the upper part of the membrane. This form is dangerous because dangerous complications such as meningitis, sepsis, osteitis, and brain abscess are progressing.
Purulent otitis media in a child usually proceeds in an acute form.
Acute form
Acute otitis media begins after pathogens enter the ear. Stages of its development:
- Catarrhal. The progression of the inflammatory process. At this initial stage, exudate accumulates in the ear. There is pain in the ear, a sharp decrease in hearing. It is important to consult a doctor immediately. This disease is usually treated with antibiotics or physiotherapeutic procedures.
- Purulent form. If at the initial stage no appropriate treatment was performed, then a purulent exudate is formed, which begins to flow out of the cavity.
- The inflammation subsides. The course of pus stops and a symptom of decreased auditory function begins to prevail.
What are the causes of purulent otitis media in a child?
Causes of Otitis
Almost any ENT disease accompanies the formation of mucus. After the amount of mucus begins to increase, the latter penetrates the Eustachian tube, thereby disrupting the ventilation of the tympanic cavity. Pathogenic microorganisms also contribute to this process.
The main causes of otitis media:
- infection invasion from concomitant ENT organs;
- diseases of the nose, nasopharynx and sinuses;
- auricle injuries ;
- weakened immunity.
Effects
What are the consequences of purulent otitis media?
Although this mainly affects the ears, with sufficient complication, the infection can affect other organs. If the treatment was defective, then this can lead to very terrible consequences. When suppuration passes to the lower jaw and touches the salivary gland, this will lead to disability.
But no less dangerous is the fact that such a disease is not so easy to identify. There are times when the disease may not be accompanied by pain in the ears. There are frequent cases when with otitis, the work of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted. All this happens because our ears and abdomen are connected by the same nerve. Therefore, often during otitis media, especially in children, vomiting, constipation, and bloating may occur. In this case, you will suspect appendicitis and be referred to the surgeon. But inflammatory diseases in children are better diagnosed, involving the ENT specialist in the procedure.
If suddenly the mother of the child thinks that he simply has an upset stomach and does not seek the help of an appropriate specialist, then the result will not be a correct diagnosis, and otitis, meanwhile, will develop into a more serious disease.
Chronic otitis media is very difficult to treat, while the quality of life is greatly reduced - the hearing is impaired, and an inflammatory process occurs in the ears and pus arises. Often, conventional treatment is not enough, it is necessary to resort to surgical methods.
Diagnosis of otitis media
An experienced and competent doctor identifies left-sided or right-sided purulent otitis without special devices. A simple examination of the auricle with a head reflector is enough.
Diagnosis of external otitis media
With this type of otitis media, the doctor pays attention to the skin of the auricle and draws attention to the dimensions of the auditory lumen. If it is strongly narrowed or the eardrum is almost invisible and fluid discharge is noticeable, then the doctor makes a diagnosis of otitis externa.
Diagnosis of otitis media
With otitis media, the doctor is also limited to an external examination. Distinctive signs of this disease are redness of the eardrum and its immobility.
These symptoms are easy to check. The patient needs to puff out his cheeks without opening his mouth. This maneuver is often used by divers and divers to even out pressure in the ear. When air enters, the eardrum bends, and when the cavity is filled with liquid, there will be no characteristic bending.
With otitis media, perforation of the tympanic membrane is visible immediately, after pus overflows in the ear cavity and leaks when it breaks.
Diagnosis of internal otitis media
In this case, the hearing is examined using special equipment called an audiometer. If hearing acuity decreases markedly with a disease of otitis media, and dizziness occurs, there is a suspicion of inflammation of the ear labyrinth or otitis media. Here they use audiometry and resort to neurological examination.
Using computed tomography and x-ray
In acute otitis media, radiography is used to confirm its complication. All this can reveal severe intracranial infections. Although these are quite rare cases, but if there are similar suspicions, then the patient should undergo computed tomography of the brain.
Identification of bacterial flora in otitis media
A study of the bacterial flora, at first glance, seems like a meaningless action. Indeed, for its identification will require a lot of time, and the result will be visible only after a week. But since the usual antibiotics do not help in all cases, the doctor can find out the result by smears, which microorganisms affected otitis media, and will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
What to do with purulent otitis media?
If you have uncomfortable sensations in your ears - it can be aching pains or periodic congestion - you should immediately contact a specialist for treatment. If this is not done with the initial symptoms, then otitis media can develop into chronic, which can leave scars on the eardrum. But if you can’t see a doctor the same day that you notice the first symptoms, then you can use antihistamines inside, with severe pain - painkillers.
Self-medication can be dangerous.
But do not self-medicate with home recipes. Infusions of chamomile, boric alcohol, onion or garlic juice, as well as various phyto candles can not be used as a treatment in the fight against otitis media. All these “healing” drugs can lead to deafness for life.
But the worst thing is pus getting into the brain, which can lead to terrifying consequences - a person can simply remain disabled.
Therefore, identify your symptoms in advance and as quickly as possible, or better immediately on the same day, consult a doctor.
How to treat purulent otitis media?
It is still better to treat this ailment in stationary conditions. Especially if purulent otitis media is observed in a child. The attending physician draws up a treatment plan, taking into account the stage of the disease and the condition of the patient.
- treatment of preperforative stage:
- use of systemic and local medications;
- half-alcohol compresses on the ear;
- antihistamines;
- antibiotics.
Treatment of purulent otitis media should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.
With the progression of this stage, it is also important to continue taking antibiotics and antihistamines. The course of treatment can be supplemented with such drugs:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- mucolytics;
- physiotherapeutic treatment: laser therapy, UV, UHF;
- removal of pus from their ear canal.
Treatment at the reparative stage:
- blowing the auditory tube;
- the introduction of drugs into the tympanic cavity to prevent adhesions from forming;
- taking biostimulants;
- vitamin therapy.
It is necessary to be treated with antibiotics, because it is precisely these drugs that can eliminate the cause of progression. It should be noted that only a specialist doctor should prescribe a group of drugs. It is unacceptable to arbitrarily take AB, this can only aggravate the situation. Antibiotics should be taken according to a precisely defined scheme. If during treatment any problems are found, the doctor may change the drug.
An important goal in the prevention of otitis media is to ensure that the Eustachian tube is not blocked by thick mucus. In order to prevent otitis media from developing, it is necessary to seek the help of a doctor in a timely manner and treat ENT diseases, whether it is a common cold or sinusitis.