Otitis is characterized by various pathological changes in the external, middle, inner ear and can affect any of its departments. His inflammation can occur at any age, both in children and adults, and the only correct method for treating it is to call a specialist in a timely manner, so you need to know which doctor is treating the otitis media.
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In most cases, ear pains, discharge and hearing loss are due todiseases of the middle ear, which is usually called otitis.
Please note! Complications of otitis media can affect the membranes of the brain, facial nerves and deform the auricle. With progressive development of the disease, a lethal outcome is possible.
The organism is a single system, therefore everything is interconnected in it. Otitis can occur on its own due to infection, but most often it is a form of complication in other diseases, for example, in inflammatory processes of the nasopharynx.
Which doctor treats otitis
Depending on the cause of the disease, the treating doctor for otitis in adults can act as an ENT( otolaryngologist) and therapist.
If you have a baby, treatment will be handled by an ENT, and in some cases, a pediatrician.
To the ENT refer necessarily:
- if there is a suspicion of the need for surgical intervention;
- with recurring regular otitis media;
- if you suspect a decrease in the perception of sounds.
With other complications, therapist or pediatrician can give recommendations for treatment.
To which doctor to go for treatment, to a private or public clinic, everyone chooses according to their capabilities. The main thing is that it is a proven specialist with extensive experience in a good institution.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis is performed by a doctor at once in several directions, and has the same pattern for both adults and children.
- Collection of anamnesis and analysis of complaints of ear pains or their congestion, fever, hearing loss, presence of other infectious diseases.
- Inspection of the presence of pus or damage to the tympanic membrane with the help of augmentation techniques: an otoscope, an omicroscope, an endoscope.
- In some cases, the nasopharynx is examined.
- Timpanometry as a test for the mobility of the tympanic membrane. Does not require special training and is performed immediately after a general inspection.
- Audiometry is used in cases of suspected hearing loss.
- Timpanocenosis is the puncture of the tympanic membrane in order to extract fluid. It is used extremely rarely and in severe cases of the disease.
These are the most basic diagnostic methods used to determine the area of the disease and the purpose of the course of treatment. With inflammation of the external ear, it is enough to conduct a routine examination without additional procedures.
Please note! When purulent diseases are not recommended warming up and warm compresses, so that the pus does not flow inside.
Recommendations for the treatment of
Otitis on the mild stages of the disease is treated at home according to the recommendations of the ENT, and in severe forms, hospitalization with constant supervision is necessary. Addressing a specialist is a must and a priority. First, only the ENT can diagnose the type of otitis, and, secondly, depending on its type, treatment will be selected.
Not all diseases of the ear can be picked up by a universal remedy. Depending on the location of the disease, there may be otitis media of the external ear, inner ear and labyrinth.
Otitis of the external ear
For this form, outpatient treatment with local therapy is prescribed, when turundas impregnated with 70% alcohol solution are placed in the auditory canal, warming compresses are made, antibacterial drugs and vitamin medication are prescribed. Antibiotics are prescribed in rare cases, when the inflammation has a pronounced form or with fever.
In cases of external ear diseases in a child, it is necessary to immediately show it to a doctor to prevent complications that may affect his later life. Antibiotics and medications are similar to adults, but differ mainly in dosage.
Diseases of the middle ear
Depending on the area of the lesion, a variety of medications and methods of treatment can be prescribed.
- antibiotics( at the same time they try not to prescribe them to children);
- ear drops with analgesic action and the like;
- surgical intervention;
- topical application of warming compresses;
- if otitis is an incidental symptom of another disease, then a complex treatment is prescribed.
Please note! Heating compresses are put no more than for 2 hours and not more often than once a day, until the pain subsides.
Treatment should be performed only under the guidance of a specialist, so that complications and side effects do not arise. In children, the cause of the disease can be an increase in adenoids, the removal of which will lead to normalization of the body.
Labyrinth diseases
When a labyrinth or inner ear disease occurs, the patient is hospitalized and given intensive care, which includes bed rest. If the cause is a bacterial infection, then the administration of a large number of antibiotics is prescribed, both inside and as a liquid to be digested. In some cases, surgery will be required.
Treatment with folk methods
To folk methods in the case of otitis should be treated with caution. In some cases, they can help, but more often with improper treatment will cause complications.
It is possible to resort to them only after the ENT, therapist or pediatrician diagnose and select the appropriate method of treatment.
Please note! Folk remedies can be used as additional and preventive measures to prevent the development of otitis media.
For very severe pain or high fever, you should immediately contact LOR.
Infusion of chamomile
A teaspoon of hot water is placed one teaspoon of dry chopped chamomile. It is infused for 5-10 minutes and filtered. Do a lavage with a warm infusion until the symptoms disappear.
Infusion from the bay leaf
Five leaves of the laurel are filled with a glass of water and brought to a boil. Insist on a water bath with a closed lid for about 2 hours, then cool at room temperature for 30-40 minutes and strain.
Bury 10 drops in a sick ear and drink 3 tablespoons of the broth obtained. The procedure should be repeated no more than three times for the entire course of treatment.
These methods are excellent for treating both otitis media and other ear diseases.