Otitis media of the middle ear: symptoms and treatment

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The most common inflammatory diseases of the ears suffer from small children, which is due to the peculiarities of their anatomy. However, adult people are prone to this unpleasant state. What is the otitis media of the middle ear, the symptoms and treatment of the disease will be discussed below.

The middle ear forms part of the auditory system, which starts from the tympanic membrane and is formed by a tympanic cavity. Inside this cavity there are auditory ossicles:

• malleus - bone, which has a round head, neck and handle connecting it with the adjacent one;
• anvil - on the one hand it is connected with a hammer, by means of its handle, and on the other - it is connected with a stirrup by means of a long process;
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• stirrup - the last of the three auditory ossicles, connecting with the anvil and the window of the vestibule.

The drum cavity along with the bones has the feature of increasing and transmitting auditory signals into the inner ear. The appearance of inflammatory processes in this system is called otitis media.

Etiology of the appearance of otitis

The main causes that cause the inflammation of the middle ear:

• ascending viral infection;
• acute meningitis;
• total supercooling;
• decreased immune response;
• inflammatory processes of a chronic nature.

Most often, otitis media appears due to a respiratory viral infection. In the case of the concentration of pathological microorganisms in the nasopharynx, they enter the middle part of the ear through the auditory tube. When the disease is meningitis, the inflammatory process in the ear can appear as a background disease.

In the presence of chronic inflammatory processes in the body, the development of otitis may appear due to any unfavorable factor. For example, with weakening immunity, hypothermia, lack of quality nutrition, hypovitaminosis. Among inflammations of a chronic nature, the most significant are angina, tonsillitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, and sinusitis.

Know! All chronic diseases of the body, which can serve as sources of bacteria, must be treated on time.

The entry of pathological microorganisms can occur not only upwards, but also hematogenous. If there are carious teeth, pyelonephritis, osteomyelitis or other diseases of infectious genesis in the body, the microbes spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic channel.

Classification of the disease

The acute course of the disease and chronic is distinguished. Acute otitis media of the middle ear is most often provoked by microorganisms that cause diseases of the respiratory tract of infectious etiology. Has a vivid clinical picture.

The chronic course of the disease has its origin even in childhood. In untimely treatment, otitis acquires the character of a slow and prolonged disease, which has stages of exacerbation and remission. Accompanying factors of a chronic condition are inflammatory processes of a chronic current, adiposity, a diabetes, dysplasias of a nasal septum, long application of antibacterial preparations.

The following inflammations of the middle ear( according to classes MBK-10 - H65-H66) are distinguished in their course and appearance of symptoms:

1. Pulmonary otitis media - allergic, serous, mucous, hemorrhagic.
2. Chronic, non-venous otitis media - serous, mucous, exudative.
3. Mean neural otitis, unspecified. Acute purulent otitis.
4. Chronic purulent otitis media.
5. Mean purulent otitis, unspecified.

Symptoms of the development of the disease

When the clinic develops an acute course, the symptoms appear quickly enough. The first sign of the inflammatory process is shooting pain in the ear, which can irradiate into the eye or neck area. Pain syndrome appears against the background of a rise in temperature to subfebrile indicators. Gradually there is a decrease in hearing, a feeling of stuffiness of the ears.

With the development of a purulent process, the temperature can reach up to 39o C. The patient complains of weakness, decreased or lack of appetite, increased fatigue, sleep disturbance due to painful sensations. A couple of days after the onset of the disease, an outflow of pus occurs from the auditory passage, after which the patient's condition improves dramatically.

Exudative otitis media

This type of disease is characterized by a chronic course and can last up to several years. The peculiarity of the exudative form is the appearance of serous effusion and its accumulation in the tympanic cavity.

Against the background of an increase in the amount of exudate, there is a decrease in hearing, a feeling of stuffiness of the ears and a feeling of fullness of the ear with liquid. As the amount of exudative effusion increases, hearing loss progresses and damage to the auditory ossicles occurs.

Important! Attachment of the infection can provoke a complicated form of otitis with the appearance of purulent effusion, so at the first clinical signs it is necessary to urgently appeal to the otorhinolaryngologist.

Catarrhal form of otitis

Catarrhal otitis media is the initial stage of the inflammatory process. In addition to specific symptoms, there may appear hyperemia of the tympanic membrane, which can be seen when examined by a specialist.

To a greater extent this form of the disease is caused by streptococci, pneumococci and staphylococci. Pathological microorganisms enter the tympanum ascending way and cause the development of the disease. Most often occurs in children.

Adhesive otitis media of the middle ear

This is a form of inflammatory process that refers to the chronic course and is characterized by the formation of adhesive and scarring in the tympanic cavity. The main sign of development of adhesive otitis is tinnitus, which can increase with time. Adhesive form can be a consequence of other forms of the disease.

Diagnostic measures

The main methods of examination when diagnosing are:

• conducting an otoscope;
• audiometric study;
• X-ray examination of sinuses;
• general laboratory analyzes;
• seeding for bacteriological examination.

First of all, the ENT doctor conducts the otoscopy - the technique of examining the ear. During the examination, the condition of the external auditory canal, the integrity and color of the tympanic membrane, the presence or absence of a purulent discharge is assessed. If the integrity of the membrane is violated, the drum cavity is examined.

Then, a procedure is planned to clarify the state of hearing - audiometry. This diagnostic method is performed by a surdologist. With the help of speech audiometry, the doctor utters individual words or sentences in a whisper, and the patient must repeat what he heard. Tone audiometric examination is carried out using headphones, through which the patient hears certain sounds. With each new sound, the researcher must press the corresponding button.

The computer method of audiometry is the most innovative, because the patient does not need to do anything. When giving signals, the device catches the changes that appear in the patient's brain and, analyzing them, displays the result on the monitor screen.

X-ray examination of the sinuses is prescribed in case of detection of a chronic form of otitis in order to detect the cause of infection in the body. If necessary, computed tomography is also performed. The indicators of general laboratory tests indicate leukocytosis, an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation.

The purulent contents of the tympanic cavity must be sent to a bacteriological study to determine pathological microorganisms and their sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.

Therapy for otitis media

For mild to moderate severity, otitis media is treated at home. With the development of a purulent process or complications, the patient needs urgent hospitalization and inpatient treatment.

Important! If purulent contents appear, self-medication is life-threatening and requires specialized help.

Acute treatment should begin with the appointment of a sparing regimen for the patient. If necessary - bed. Assign antibacterial drugs. If bacteriological culture was performed, the choice of antibiotic is based on the results of the analyzes. Among the antibacterial drugs used are:

• clindamycin;
• amoxycycline;
• amoksiklav;
• ceftriaxone;
• erythromycin;
• suprax.

Important! Treatment with antibiotics gives high efficacy when choosing the right drug.

In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed in the form of diclobarl, diclofenac, indomethacin. These drugs can be used both in tablets and in the form of injection forms. Anti-inflammatory drugs not only reduce the manifestations of inflammatory processes, but also remove pain syndrome.

In local therapy, drops are used to reduce catarrhal manifestations and restore the drainage processes of the auditory tube( naphthyzine, pharmacoline).In the ear drops drip to reduce inflammation and relieve pain - otypax, anauran, sfradeks, otofa, normaks. Before dropping drops, it is necessary to rinse the ear with hydrogen peroxide. This will clear the auditory passage from excess detachable and large numbers of bacteria.

Also in the treatment of otitis media, the use of Vishnevsky ointment is prescribed. The drug is applied to a cotton turunda, which is then inserted into the ear canal. Turundu must be changed as the ointment is absorbed several times a day.

The use of physiotherapy in the treatment of

Physiotherapy methods are quite effective in the treatment of otitis media. For the treatment of using electrophoresis with the use of drugs, UHF therapy and microwave therapy. However, it must be remembered that there are conditions in which physiotherapeutic methods are contraindicated:

• hyperthermia;
• tumor processes;
• hypotension;
• violations of the CAS;
• disease, the main manifestation of which is an increased tendency to bleeding.

Know! Carrying out procedures can cause stimulation of the formation of fluid in the tympanum. Carried out strictly under the supervision of a specialist.

Massage with otitis media of the middle ear

Massage is represented by the process of massaging the active points responsible for the normal functioning of the organs and body systems. With the help of this procedure, you can get rid of pain and swelling, by affecting the circulatory and lymphatic system of the problem area.

There is another type of massage - the effect on the tympanic membrane. This method is effective in chronic inflammatory processes, as it increases local immunity, increases the elasticity of the membrane and purifies microorganisms that can cause an outbreak.

Treatment of otitis media with folk methods

Many patients prefer to use proven folk recipes, instead of treatment with tableted modern preparations. Here are a few ways to cure otitis quickly and effectively at home:

1. Dry heat is the most commonly used method. To do this, use heated salt or sand, falling asleep in the sock. Apply to the sick ear.
2. Compression of clay - a large amount of clay must be applied to a fabric folded several times and rolled up in the form of a compress. Apply over the ear several times a day.
3. Infusion of calendula on alcohol - 2 tbsp.l.the herbs of marigold must be crushed and poured with a glass of alcohol. A week should survive the mixture. Then it must be filtered and can be used by digging in a few drops in both ears.
4. Onions with caraway seeds - stuffing the onion with seeds of cumin, it must be baked. After that, squeeze the juice and drip your sore ear for the night.

Important! It must be remembered that self-medication is undesirable because it can have serious consequences.

With timely access to a doctor, the prognosis of the disease is favorable.