Diseases of the inner ear are considered one of the most dangerous pathologies in the field of otolaryngology. Symptoms of all ailments of this group are similar, however, the causes of their appearance and the features of the course may vary. It is important to pay enough attention to preventative measures. In the case of congenital ear pathologies, it is impossible to talk about preventive measures, but many forms of the disease are treatable.
Consider the most common diseases of the inner ear.
Labyrinthitis
It is an inflammatory process and is also called internal otitis media. Spilled and limited labyrinthitis stands out. In the latter case, partial damage to the ear occurs and the disease does not spread further.
Spilled labyrinthitis affects the entire ear cavity and can cause deafness, including the bilateral option. In addition, purulent and serous inflammation is distinguished, which is characterized by the accumulation of fluid and does not carry negative consequences.
Purulent labyrinthitis leads to the active reproduction of bacteria in the ear cavity, the destruction of receptors and suppuration of the cochlear curls begins. Often leads to deafness.
Underdevelopment of the internal structure of the ear and neoplasm
This is a congenital pathology, accompanied by a violation of auditory perception. Sometimes it is possible to restore hearing through surgery. However, if there is no cochlea or corti's organ in the ear, the problem is currently not resolved.
Tumors, cysts, growths of epithelial tissues and neoplasms of a malignant nature can be localized on one of the areas of the inner ear.
Cochlear neuritis
This kind of hearing loss occurs as a complication after a primary disease of the inner ear. Important hearing receptors, including nerve endings, are affected. As a result, a functional disturbance arises in the conductive analyzer, when the sound signals cease to be processed and transformed into a nerve impulse transmitted to the brain.
Otosclerotic changes
In this case, we are talking about the proliferation of bone tissue in the labyrinth cavity, which causes blockage of the ear and its work, and in the future becomes the cause of deafness. What other diseases of the middle and inner ear are there?
Pathological processes in the vestibular apparatus
When infectious pathogens enter the vestibular apparatus, coordination problems occur. In addition, pathologies are observed, accompanied by positional dizziness. This is due to a malfunction of the semicircular canals and their injury. Meniere's disease is one of the most common diseases of this group. This syndrome is caused by an increased content of endolymph in the inner ear.
The most serious consequence of these diseases of the inner ear is hearing impairment at the level of neural connections. Ear hair receptors are destroyed and do not have the ability to recover. When an inflammatory process of the serous type occurs, the receptor islets can be preserved and even provide the patient with hearing.
Diseases of the inner ear of a purulent nature are most dangerous, since against their background there is tissue necrosis and their decomposition. The ear snail and corti's organ are affected. Sensory hairs die and irreversible deafness occurs.
Causes and symptoms
Against the background of the inflammatory process, the patient has the following symptoms of an inner ear disease:
- Soreness directly in the ear and temporal bone, radiating to the back of the head or the entire half of the head.
- Weakness and general malaise.
- Lack of coordination and dizziness. With diseases of the inner ear, this is a fairly common symptom.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Noise in ears.
- Tachycardia.
- Decreased auditory perception.
Against the background of damage to the inner ear, a pronounced pain syndrome occurs, hearing is significantly impaired, and disorientation and intoxication of the body also occur.
Disturbances in the functioning of the inner ear can occur for various reasons, including:
- Anomalies in the development of an inborn character. Bad habits of the mother, underdevelopment of the fetus, genetic factor, exposure to toxins and infectious pathogens can lead to disruption of fetal development.
- Injuries during delivery as a result of the use of forceps, complicated labor and deformation of the skull when passing through the birth canal of the mother.
- Traumatic brain injuries. This can be a blow or a fall from a height, a skull fracture, a gunshot wound, etc.
- Ear damage inside. This can occur as a result of the ingress of foreign objects into the ear cavity during surgery or barotrauma.
- The inflammatory process of an infectious or viral nature, including mastoiditis, otitis media, meningitis, tuberculosis, typhoid, etc.
- The impact of the acoustic plan. Under the prolonged influence of noise and sharp sounds, gradual wear of the receptors occurs.
- Intoxication. Under the influence of alcohol, bacterial pathogens, drugs, various drugs and other toxins, poisoning of the body occurs. The environmental situation also plays an important role in this process.
In addition, various systemic lesions of the body occupy an important place, for example, stress, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, neurological and vascular pathologies.
Diagnostics
Several main methods of infection of the inner ear are highlighted, including:
- Otogenic, occurring through the middle ear.
- Meningogenic, resulting from damage to the brain and intracranial space.
- Hematogenous, occurring through the bloodstream.
Localization of the pathology, as well as the stage of development and the cause of its occurrence, is carried out through special diagnostic methods. The process of identifying a disease involves the following activities:
- Otoscopy
- The study of blood and urine.
- Audiometry
- Samples with tuning forks.
- CT and MRI.
- X-ray examination.
If liquids begin to stand out from the ear, their samples are taken for a laboratory test for the presence of pathogenic bacteria that provoke inflammation. This test allows you to determine the sensitivity of harmful microflora to certain drugs and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
We examined in detail the symptoms and causes of diseases of the inner ear. Prevention and treatment are described below.
Treatment
Not all pathological processes occurring in the inner ear are treatable. If the death of the receptors or scarring of the cortic organ occurs, it is almost impossible to restore auditory qualities. In certain cases, cochlear hearing aid helps.
In other cases, treatment of pathologies of the inner ear provides the following treatment options:
- Acceptance of drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ketorol, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac) are prescribed to stop the inflammatory process, as well as eliminate signs of intoxication. In addition, medicines are used to stimulate the vascular system (Asparkam, Ascorutin, Cardiohels) and neurological processes. Sometimes diuretics may be prescribed to the patient. The latter are especially relevant in the case when inflammation is associated with the accumulation of fluid in the ear.
- Surgery. Sometimes purulent contents can be removed only by opening the labyrinth and its purification. In some cases, implantation and restoration procedures are performed.
- Physiotherapeutic methods. Some procedures promote tissue repair and stimulate the auditory organs.
If we talk about drugs, then a special place is occupied by “Diacarb” among them. With a disease of the inner ear, it is an effective drug of synthetic origin, which is able to remove excess fluid from the body, that is, it has the properties of diuretics. The prescription of such drugs in the treatment of otitis media is not obvious and in some cases puzzling, however, it is not worthwhile to neglect “Diakarb” for diseases of the inner ear, since in combination with other drugs it can speed up the healing process.
Prevention
As for prevention, you should pay a lot of time to a healthy lifestyle, as well as a balanced diet, avoid stress and strengthen immunity with vitamin complexes. Experts recommend using special breathing practices and therapeutic exercises to restore hearing.
In addition, an important point of prevention is the observance of ear hygiene. Sharp sounds and prolonged exposure to noise as well as ear injuries should be avoided. You also need to consult a doctor in case of otitis in a timely manner, since an untreated disease can affect your hearing and lead to relapse in a more severe form.
The article discusses the symptoms and causes of diseases of the inner ear.