Otitis is a group of middle ear diseases characterized by the presence of an inflammatory process of bacterial or viral origin. Infection can develop as a result of water, injury, and also be the result of untreated colds. Factors affecting the incidence of otitis media and complicating its course include chronic diseases of the nasopharynx, enlarged adenoids and allergic diseases, as well as harmful working conditions. In addition, the incidence is higher in childhood due to the special structure of the ear: a shortened and enlarged auditory tube, and in infants an additional provoking factor is the possibility of milk entering the ear from the nasopharynx.
The most common type of otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear, affecting the auditory tube and eardrum. With a diagnosis of acute otitis media, treatment usually takes up to ten days. In the absence of proper treatment, recovery can take several months.
The acute course of the disease is characterized by symptoms such as congestion of the ear and noise, which may disappear, and may increase and be accompanied by pain and fever. Congestion can occur occasionally, for example, when swallowing, and pain occurs at different times of the day or is completely absent. Self-diagnosis in infants can be difficult, however, if the baby cries badly, refuses to eat and rubs the ear, you can do the following. Click on the tragus, and if the anxiety and crying of the baby at the same time intensifies, it is highly likely that this is otitis media, the treatment of which should be carried out by a doctor. Timely treatment will help to avoid serious consequences, because shooting pain and purulent discharge are not all the unpleasant phenomena that otitis media threatens you. Treatment may be simple, but it is necessary. Despite the fact that recovery can occur naturally, there is a risk of adhesions on the eardrum, its perforation, the transition of the disease into a chronic form with subsequent relapses with the slightest hypothermia, and the most serious is a significant decrease in hearing.
If you suspect that you have otitis media, treatment should begin immediately. An accurate diagnosis will help the doctor to put a simple examination. For this, the ear is examined using an otoscope, which is clearly visible turbid eardrum, swollen or thickened, as well as swelling of the mucous membrane. If possible, rapid laboratory diagnostics can be done analysis of discharge from the ear, which will establish the need for taking an antibiotic. If acute otitis media is diagnosed, the following are usually prescribed:
- Disinfection of the ear cavity with ethyl alcohol or boric acid;
- Warming ear drops (it is forbidden to use when perforating the eardrum);
- Dry warm compresses;
- Physiotherapy;
- Antipyretic and analgesics;
- Treatment of the underlying disease that provoked otitis media;
- Treatment with antibacterial or antiviral drugs.
Self-medication for otitis media can be ineffective and lead to a worsening of the condition, since there is not a single method that does not have contraindications. And even if you are an opponent of medical methods of treatment, the doctor will be able to assess the severity of the disease and find a safe alternative. There is no specific prophylaxis of otitis media. But it is in your power to eliminate the factors provoking it and reduce the frequency of colds. Be attentive to yourself and do not neglect the axioms that you have learned since childhood about the sun, water, exercise and a healthy lifestyle.