Causes of otitis media and methods of treatment
Causes of otitis media and methods of treatment
The causes of otitis media are multiple and vary in severity from one person to another, so many people suffer from this problem because it is one of the most common diseases, especially among children. This infection usually occurs as a result of exposure to infection, whether viral or bacterial, and in many cases, some of the side effects associated with inflammation, through which infection can be confirmed, appear.
Causes of otitis media
The middle ear is located inside the ear directly behind the eardrum, and the main reason for its infection is the occurrence of a gathering of viruses or bacteria around it, and doctors have determined the causes of otitis media as follows:
- Smoking is one of the most common causes of middle ear infections, so the risk of this disease increases among smokers.
- Exposure to the flu or common cold and allergies are factors that may lead to otitis media.
- Health problems affecting the upper respiratory tract, such as sore throats or sinusitis, are also among the triggers.
- Infection with one of the previous medical conditions causes bacteria to move towards the Eustachian tube, which results in swelling and then the symptoms associated with inflammation.
Factors that increase the risk of otitis media
In addition to the causes of otitis media that we have learned about, there are a group of factors that may increase the risk of developing an infection, including:
- Children who are frequently in groups are more likely to catch colds and thus ear infections.
- Infants from 6 months to two years of age are at greatest risk of otitis media, due to the size and shape of the Eustachian tubes, as well as the insufficient immune system within their bodies.
- The breastfeeding period during which the infection of children increases, especially those who receive breast-feeding through feeding bottles, and the risk increases that the child remains in a lying position during feeding.
- Exposure to air polluted by tobacco or smoke may increase the risk of developing an ear infection.
- Children with a cleft mouth are also among the most important risk factors for otitis media.
Types of otitis media
Otitis media has more than one type; the type is determined by the doctor after undergoing an examination, and accordingly, the appropriate treatment is determined. The causes of otitis media differ according to the type of inflammation, and the following are those types:
Nominate otitis media
- A person suffers from this type as a result of the accumulation of secretions and mucous fluids inside the ear.
- The accumulation of these secretions affects the exposure of the Eustachian tube to blockage, which leads to poor efficiency in performing its function.
Acute inflammation of the middle ear
- It occurs as a result of an infection, whether bacterial or viral.
- The patient may develop it as a result of an infection of the sinuses or the upper respiratory tract with complications due to the infection.
- This type can be treated simply by taking the appropriate treatment for the condition.
For chronic inflammation of the middle ear
It is one of the most difficult types of inflammation, and usually the patient gets it in the event of neglect in treating the causes of otitis media.
In the event that the accumulation of secretions continues for more than two weeks, an accumulation of wax gatherings may occur inside the ear, which may sometimes reach the eardrum.
Symptoms of otitis media
Middle ear infection is usually accompanied by a group of symptoms that vary in severity from one person to another, and the following are the most important of these symptoms:
Symptoms of otitis media in adults
- Feeling pain in the ear with an increase in the intensity of the pain in one of the ears, and the pain increases in the lying position.
- The feeling of fullness in the ear and the feeling of something inside it.
- Hearing impairment, where sounds seem very faint.
- Secretions coming out of the ear.
- Feeling of general fatigue in the entire body.
- Inside the ear cavity, fluid is formed that the doctor can detect on examination.
- difficulty sleeping
- Feeling of pain inside the ear that increases when lying down.
- Hearing impairment, which can be seen by not responding to sounds.
- Crying for long periods while trying to pull the ear.
- A body temperature of more than 38°C.
- lost balance.
- loss of appetite
- Waxy discharge from the ear.
Symptoms of otitis media are rare.
- The pain suddenly subsided.
- A ruptured eardrum.
- Constant tinnitus feeling.
- Green or yellow pus coming out of the ear.
Symptoms of otitis media call for a visit to the doctor.
- Increased intensity of pain.
- These symptoms persist for more than a day.
- Symptoms appear in children under 6 months of age.
- Bleeding from the ear.
- The child's inability to sleep normally.
- Transmission of inflammation or infection from the ear to the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain.
- The infection may spread to the ear bones.
- A rupture of the eardrum.
- Permanent hearing loss.
- In the event that the child is repeatedly exposed to otitis media, so that the infection recurs more than 4 times in one year, this requires that the child receive an appropriate antibiotic for his condition.
- Do not neglect the treatment of colds immediately after infection, especially for children.
- For children, it is recommended that they receive routine vaccinations.
- Follow up the case with a specialist doctor in the event of recurrence of infection.
- It is recommended that the baby's head be elevated during feeding.
- Avoid contact with infected people.
Diagnosis of otitis media
- When visiting the doctor, he first gets to know the patient's medical history, and asks him about the number of times he has had otitis media.
- After that, a physical examination of the ear is performed to identify the causes of otitis media, using an otoscope to be able to examine the outer ear and the eardrum as well to check whether there is redness or swelling, or the presence of pus inside the ear.
- The doctor then checks the measurement of the drum, to ensure that the middle ear is functioning properly.
Treatment of otitis media
- Most of the sick cases that suffer from the problem of otitis media improve on their own after a few days.
- In some cases, the doctor needs to prescribe some painkillers and monitor the symptoms until they disappear completely.
- The method adopted by the doctor in treatment is chosen based on some factors, such as the age of the patient and the severity of the inflammation that he suffers from.
- If the condition and symptoms persist for more than 3 days, the doctor may prescribe an appropriate antibiotic.
- Smoking must be stopped because of the damage it causes directly to the upper respiratory system, which causes a decrease in immunity and frequent exposure to inflammatory conditions.
- Avoid using cotton swabs to clean the ear, as it may cause damage to the eardrum or ear canal, which causes an ear infection.
- Persistently cleaning the outer part of the ear, taking care to dry it completely, especially after swimming or showering, and it is recommended to put on earplugs to ensure that water does not leak into the ear.
- For people who suffer from chronic allergies, they must stay away from all the causes that irritate their allergies in order to avoid increasing the amount of mucus and its accumulation inside the nose, which infects the middle ear with inflammation.
- Regular hand washing reduces the spread of germs that are transmitted from the hands to the inside of the ear.
This concludes our article on identifying the most important causes of otitis media, whether for children or adults, with identification of its most important symptoms, how to diagnose it, and methods of treatment, as well as explaining some tips that will prevent inflammation.
