Otitis media causes. The main signs of the disease. Complications are characteristic of the advanced chronic form of the disease and are manifested

It is good when the eyes see 100%, the ears hear well, and the nose and tongue sense smells and tastes. It is bad when one of these departments becomes inflamed. It is not for nothing that the ear-nose-throat is treated by the same doctor - an otolaryngologist (ENT).

What is otitis media?

One of the ENT diseases is otitis media. What it is? Otitis media is called inflammation of the ear.

Types of otitis in the affected ear:

External - inflammation of the external passage of the ear.
Internal (also called labyrinthitis)
Medium - the most common inflammation among the group of otitis media. It, in turn, is divided into:
1. Traumatic - damage to the middle ear by traumatic objects or operations;
2. Nasopharyngeal - the transition of infection from the nose or pharynx as a result of their inflammation, for example, with a runny nose;
3. Meningogenic - the transmission of infection through inner ear with meningitis;
4. Hematogenous - the transfer of infection from any part of the body through the blood.

According to the forms of flow, they are divided into:

Spicy;
Chronic.

According to the pathogen, they are divided into types:

Bacterial species - pneumococcus, moraxella, pyogenic streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae;
Viral species - influenza, parainfluenza, synovirus, etc.

For exudate:

Catarrhal exudate (non-purulent) - serous blockage of the ear. Is initial stage. Fluid accumulates in the ear, congestion occurs, hearing decreases, pain and temperature appear.
Purulent exudate - purulent blockage of the ear, usually occurs in a chronic form. It is the result of an incurable disease. Manifested in elevated temperature, accumulation of pus, severe pain. After 3 days, pus begins to come out of the ear, which helps to reduce pain.
The recovery stage occurs when a person is being treated. Symptoms pass, the eardrum heals.

By the number of inflamed ears:

Unilateral - either the left or right ear becomes inflamed.
Bilateral - both ears become inflamed.

By prevalence:

Focal otitis - localized in one place;
Diffuse otitis - extends to nearby departments.

Causes of ear inflammation

Consider the causes of ear inflammation:

Infectious diseases respiratory tract upper divisions: angina, laryngitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis.
Infections that enter the ear when cleaning the ears.
Ingress and accumulation of water in the ear.
Allergy.
Frequent exposure to water.

Otitis externa develops for two reasons:

The accumulation of water in the outer part of the ear canal, especially with constant swimming, is one of the causes of otitis externa;
Damage to the ear with sharp objects and infection.

Symptoms and signs

Common symptoms and signs of otitis media are:

Earache;
congestion;
Noise in the ear;
hearing loss;
Temperature increase;
Weakness;
Headache;
Purulent discharge from the affected ear.

Typical symptoms of otitis externa are pain, itching, swelling, weeping of the skin of the ear.

In chronic otitis, two signs become characteristic: hearing loss and purulent discharge. Other symptoms, as in acute form, may not be expressed or appear only during the period of exacerbation.

Internal otitis is characterized by the same causes and symptoms as labyrinthitis:

Tinnitus is the main symptom indicating the development of otitis media, labyrinthitis and other ear diseases;
Balance disorder - a person cannot keep himself in an even position;
Vomit;
Dizziness, and everything is spinning: both objects around the patient, and the patient himself;
Nausea;
Hearing loss.

Otitis media in children

In children, otitis occurs quite often (80% of children under 3 years of age have been ill). The main form of otitis media is viral catarrhal acute course. The child complains of the main signs of otitis media, fluid may be released from the ear. You should not delay contacting a pediatrician so as not to bring the disease to chronic form.

Otitis media in adults

In adults, otitis media usually occurs in catarrhal or purulent form. Common causes occurrence in women are penetrating wounds with hygienic ear objects, as well as infectious diseases of other parts of the body. In men, it occurs against the background of injuries in the workplace, as well as untreated infectious diseases often of a respiratory nature.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of otitis media begins with listening to the patient's complaints, as well as a general examination by an otolaryngologist. For a more unambiguous diagnosis, various studies are carried out:

Otoscopy - examination of the ear with an otoscope;
Otomicroscopy - examination of the ear with surgical optics;
Audiometry - measurement of hearing acuity;
Tympanometry - examination of mobility eardrum;
Radiography and CT scan of the skull;
Tympanocentesis - analysis of the fluid of the affected ear;
Blood analysis.

Treatment

Treatment of otitis is complex: medication, physiotherapy and folk. What is the treatment for ear inflammation? Medicines:

Antibiotics and antiviral drugs;
Vasoconstrictor drops;
Antiseptic solutions (boric acid);
Anesthetic drops;
Antifungal ointments;
Anti-inflammatory hormones, corticosteroids;
Sulfonamides;
Combined ear drops to reduce pain: otipax, otizol;
Antipyretic drugs: aspirin, ibuprofen.

It should be noted that these drugs should be prescribed by a doctor, even if the patient decides to treat at home. Everything should be done under the guidance of a doctor so as not to bring the disease to the development of complications.

For mild forms of otitis media, you can use folk methods. Here are some recipes:

Squeeze out the juice or make a gruel from onions, add flaxseed or butter, soak a swab in the mixture and keep it in your ear.
Squeeze the juice from the leaves walnut and instill 3 drops in each ear.
Washing can be done from chamomile infusion - 1 tsp. in a glass of boiling water, insist, strain and rinse.
Squeeze the juice from the basil leaves and bury 7 drops in sore ear.
Whatever remedy you use, you should know that garlic, camphor oil, boric acid, and even chamomile infusion can lead to deafness.

The following procedures are used as physiotherapeutic measures:

Warm compresses, but only as prescribed by a doctor;
Diet: eating foods with high content proteins and vitamins.

Lifespan

How many live with otitis media? Ear inflammation does not affect life expectancy, however, it reduces the quality of sounds perceived from the outside world, leads to complications if left untreated:

brain abscess;
Meningitis;
Encephalitis;
Mastoiditis;
hearing loss;
Paresis facial nerve;
cholesteatoma;
The transition of the disease to the second ear;
Sepsis.

Prevention of otitis is as follows:

Limit contact with patients with respiratory diseases, especially for children who are easily infected and begin to get otitis media;
Avoid hypothermia;
Strengthen immunity;
Treat everything promptly respiratory diseases, as well as inflammation in the oral and nasal cavity: caries, sinusitis, tonsillitis, etc .;
Seek medical attention when the first symptoms appear.

Otitis media is general type definition implying ear inflammatory diseases. Otitis, the symptoms of which, respectively, are associated with inflammation, is for the most part a disease noted in children, it often occurs against the background of exposure to an infection in the middle ear, ear injury or allergies can provoke otitis media less often.

general description

The ears are in fact quite fragile organs, their work is directly determined by the smallest movements of each of the elements that make them up. Nature has provided the necessary protection for the ears in a reliable manner. So, the main part of these organs is located in temporal bone, communication with the outside world is provided through a pair of channels in the form of an external auditory meatus and the Eustachian tube.

The ear canal (external) ends blindly, the tympanic membrane acts as a barrier to it and the middle ear cavity. The auditory tube acts as an element that provides communication between the nose and the middle ear cavity. In addition to ventilation as one of its functions, this tube is responsible for distributing pressure so that it is equal on both sides of the eardrums. This is extremely important function, because it is due to it that the required conduction of sound is ensured.

As we have already noted, otitis media is most often observed in children, despite the fact that in general the disease is also relevant for other age groups.

As for the reasons for the greater susceptibility to this disease of children, they lie in age-related anatomical features, which are, in particular, in the structure of the middle ear. So, in children, the auditory tube is somewhat shorter than in adults. In addition, it is almost straight, without bends, due to which the path of infection to the middle ear is greatly facilitated. It is noteworthy that during the first three years from the moment of birth, about 80% of children are diagnosed with otitis media, this happens at least once.

Causes of otitis media

As the main causes of otitis media, the following can be distinguished:

, in which the nasal mucosa is damaged, against the background of which there is a blockage of the outlet area in the auditory tube. For this reason, in turn, the ventilation and cleaning processes required for the tympanic cavity are disrupted.
The relevance of chronic diseases of the nasopharyngeal region (, etc.), tumors of the nasopharynx region, adenoid vegetations.
The development of otitis as a result of diving and ascents made by divers, divers (or mareotitis).
The development of otitis media against the background of sudden changes in atmospheric pressure, relevant during the ascent / descent of aircraft (which is defined as aerootitis).
Reduced immunity as a result of seasonal changes, exposure to stress various types and scale.

Otitis: symptoms

Based anatomical features, otitis media can manifest itself in accordance with the classification of its varieties as otitis externa, otitis media and otitis media. On the basis of such a classification, respectively, violations of the functions of a particular department are determined.

Otitis externa. In this form, the disease is a change inflammatory nature affecting the skin in combination with subcutaneous tissue in the area of the auditory (external) passage. The course of otitis externa, in turn, is possible both as inflammation of a local scale (in the form of a boil), and as an inflammation diffused by the nature of the distribution.

The formation of a boil occurs when an infection enters the hair or sebaceous sacs in the ear canal. In this case, pain can be singled out as the main manifestation of symptoms, which is concentrated within the region of the ear canal, and this pain intensifies as a result of movements made by the lower jaw (during conversation, chewing food, etc.).

The increase in pain is explained by the pressure exerted by the joint mandible. In general, the condition of patients changes slightly, in some cases it is possible subfebrile temperature. As a rule, the opening of the boil occurs spontaneously, after it matures completely. Such an outcome provides an improvement in well-being. By the way, with this course of the disease, the hearing of patients is not negatively affected.

External (diffuse) otitis. Mostly this form of otitis media begins to develop as a complication against the background of purulent chronic otitis media. Their cause is the constant formation of purulent secretions in the affected eardrum, as well as infection of the tissues in the ear canal. The manifestations of this form of otitis media are redness of the ear canal and the appearance of pain in this area. In some cases, diffuse otitis media (diffuse otitis media) is provoked by skin irritation that occurs in the area of \u200b\u200bthe ear canal under the influence of chemical substances or under the influence of mechanical injury, accompanied by the addition of infection.

The most common inflammation middle department ear, which is defined as tubootitis (or eustachitis). You can familiarize yourself with this disease in more detail in the section "Otolaryngology" on our website in the article, now let's briefly dwell on the main provisions of the symptoms.

Tubootitis as a disease consists of inflammation auditory tube, and it is this tube that reacts first of all to the process of infection penetration, which manifests itself in the form of redness and swelling. As a rule, this is accompanied by the closure of the lumen against the background of the effect of edema, as a result of which the pressure in the middle ear decreases. In turn, directly for the patient, a number of these processes will manifest themselves in hearing loss in combination with congestion. In addition, this state is accompanied by a sensation in the region of the large ear of his own voice.

As a rule, chewing and swallowing saliva slightly reduce these manifestations, which is explained by the short-term opening of the lumen of the auditory tube at these moments.

Without appropriate influence from immune system or a doctor, there is an inflammation of the middle ear cavity in the complex. This, in turn, leads to the appearance of pain in the ear, which has a shooting character and radiates to the region of the lower jaw, neck and temple. Seriously, the temperature rises, hearing falls, which occurs as a result of the formation of exudate in the cavity of the middle ear, subsequently it becomes purulent.

By 3-4 days of the course of the disease, the development of the next stage in the inflammatory process begins, in which, as a result of exposure to pus, a hole appears in the eardrum (which is defined as perforation) and already through this hole the exudate enters the external auditory canal. In other words, at this stage, the patient will notice that fluid comes out through his ear canal from the side of the lesion. As a rule, perforation is accompanied by a certain improvement in the general condition, the pain gradually decreases, the temperature drops.

In the absence of the required treatment, the liquid acquires a certain density of consistency with the simultaneous formation of fibrin threads in it, adhesions with scars begin to form. Due to scars in this case, there is a difficulty in normal functioning inherent in the auditory ossicles, this, in turn, can lead to permanent hearing impairment.

Otitis media (labyrinthitis) . The disease in this form is accompanied by the appearance of complaints of dizziness, accompanied by severe tinnitus and persistent hearing loss. Actually, dizziness can manifest itself at the most various diseases, however, when sudden appearance following the patient's previous cold in combination with nausea and vomiting, there is every reason to consult a specialist for advice on the relevance of the ear disease.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of otitis media is made on the basis of the patient's complaints, however, a significant obstacle in its implementation for young children is the limited oral contact due to the age of the children with the doctor. Identification of the disease is carried out using methods such as:

skull x-ray;
otoscopy;
hearing test (audiometry, tuning forks).

Treatment of otitis media

Treatment of otitis can be medicinal or surgical, which in particular is determined by the characteristics of its course, form, manifestation of symptoms and diseases associated with it. In any case, the effectiveness of treatment directly depends on how early the treatment began.

Treatment of otitis certain rules focused on the following:

reduction of pain;
reduction of puffiness;
measures to improve the outflow of pus from the middle ear;
measures to reduce swelling of the mucous area of the auditory tube;
the use of antibiotics as a suppressive measure aimed at combating an infection localized in the middle ear;
local treatment using compresses and certain hygiene measures;
surgical intervention (the method of shunting the tympanic cavity, in the absence of effectiveness, the eardrum is cut, which is defined as paracentesis).

In addition to the above measures, physiotherapy procedures are used:

UHF for the nose area;
laser therapy for the mouth of the auditory tube;
pneumomassage focused on the eardrum area.

To diagnose otitis, you need to contact the attending pediatrician (therapist), subsequently you will need consultation and treatment with an otolaryngologist (ENT).

Many people think that otitis media (inflammation) of the middle ear is common in children. This is actually so, babies suffer from it more often because of physiological features. However, adults are not protected from danger. Moreover: diseases of the hearing organs transferred to early age, can develop into a chronic form, which is dangerous not only by a deterioration in the quality of life.
Otitis media is an ENT disease that develops in the middle part of the ear. To understand what's going on pathological processes, it is important to remember how this part is arranged auditory organ.
The middle ear has a tympanic cavity. There are the stirrup, anvil, hammer, transmitting sound vibrations. Through the Eustachian tube, the cavity is connected to the nasopharynx. It is in these parts that all pathological changes occur.

In contact with

Spread of disease

Otitis media (inflammation) of the middle ear frequent illness. Its acute form is diagnosed in 25–30% of cases among other pathologies of the ENT organs. The prevalence, together with the external one, ranges from 0.1–4.6% of total population. Doctors note a trend towards an increase in the number of cases.

Otitis media, suffered in childhood, in a quarter of cases ends with hearing loss in adulthood.

Origin

More often than others, otitis media (inflammation) of the middle ear is diagnosed with the filling of the tympanic cavity with an infected fluid. At healthy person fluid is removed through the Eustachian tube (auditory). But if inflammatory processes occur in the body - for example, influenza, tonsillitis, then the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and nose swells, blockage of the auditory tube is likely. Depending on how otitis media develops, pus, mucus, etc. are released from the ear. They go out through the ruptured eardrum.

As inflammation decreases, the amount discharge is coming subsides and stops completely, the eardrum heals. But sick to full recovery feels dull.

Types of otitis media

According to the nature of the flow, acute and chronic otitis media middle ear.

Spicy

There are three stages:

Catarrhal, or initial;
purulent (preperforative, perforative);
reparative - final.

With improper therapy, acute otitis media flows into chronic.

Chronic

It takes the following forms:

Purulent- has a bacterial nature, the body is affected by several bacteria at the same time;
exudative- develops after a long violation of the function of the Eustachian tube;
adhesive- occurs after repeated repetitions acute inflammation, untreated exudative otitis media.

Causes

Acute otitis media

There is an opinion that the acute form of otitis media occurs due to cold, dirty water in the ear. But it is not so. These factors are not directly related to the development of the disease.

The main reasons are:

An attack of bacteria (pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae, etc.) that enters through the auditory tube when various ailments other ENT organs, including due to improper blowing of the nose through both nostrils;
difficult opening of the auditory tube and deterioration of air ventilation due to a deviated nasal septum, diseases developing near the openings of the tube, etc.;
injury to the eardrum and infection through the blood - for example, if a person has the flu.

Chronic

Lead to its development:

Ignoring otitis or improper treatment;
scars on the eardrum due to frequent relapses;
violation of the normal activity of the Eustachian tube;
infections such as scarlet fever.

Risk factors also include:

The presence of chronic infections:,, and others;
inability to breathe through the nose, for example, due to defects in the nasal septum, due to which pressure is disturbed;
diabetes;
decreased immunity (AIDS, etc.);
chemotherapy;
bad habits - smoking, alcohol abuse;
bad social and climatic conditions life;

Provoke chronic otitis media low temperatures, , dirty water.

The main symptoms of otitis media in adults

Symptoms may appear on one or both sides. In the first case, they talk about unilateral, in the second - about bilateral otitis media. Chronic and acute forms have some general symptoms, but they still appear with some differences.

Spicy

Pain in the ear, behind the ear, sometimes it is felt in the back of the head, temple, gives to the teeth. It is felt constantly or from time to time, it is pulsating, pulling;
the patient complains of ear congestion, hearing loss;
lymph nodes enlarge and become painful;
discharges are observed. At the perforative stage, they are plentiful, with mucus and pus, sometimes with traces of blood. As the disease develops, they become thicker, their number decreases;
sometimes the symptoms spread to other organs - nasal congestion is felt, discharge from it, discomfort in the throat appears;
an acute course is accompanied by intoxication of the body, as evidenced by weakness, temperature above normal, nausea, etc. If the temperature drops after perforation of the membrane, inflammation has spread to the mastoid process.

malignant neoplasm in the lungs is not a sentence. effective treatment contributes early .

Do you know how to properly treat pneumonia on early stage development? Familiarize yourself with approaches to the treatment of this disease.

Chronic

It is characterized by such manifestations:

Outflow of pus - constant or episodic, activated during exacerbation. The presence of blood usually indicates that the tympanic cavity is growing granulation tissue or polyps. In some cases, the discharge smells unpleasant, which indicates bone destruction;
conductive hearing loss caused by decreased mobility auditory ossicles. With a long process, mixed hearing loss develops, which leads, in particular, to impaired blood circulation in the cochlea;
tinnitus due to ongoing pathological processes;
pain syndrome is moderate and manifests itself only during exacerbation, provokes it viral infection, diseases of the ENT organs, water getting into the ear;
an acute period may be accompanied by a sensation of pulsation and twitching in the affected ear;
dizziness;
with advanced pathology, the mobility of the muscles of the face is disturbed;
headache accompanies complications (spread of inflammation to the membranes of the brain).

Diagnostics

The main diagnostic methods for both forms are the same. They include such activities:

Analysis of the patient's complaints and anamnesis: it turns out which of the symptoms indicates otitis media, whether there were any before, whether the patient breathes freely through his nose, whether there are others chronic diseases, influenza, SARS;
ear examination using special tools- otoscope, otomicroscope, endoscope: the condition of the tympanic membrane is examined - the presence of redness, swelling, rupture, retraction (retraction pockets), etc., it turns out if there is pus. Hearing is checked with tuning fork tests - the causes of deafness are determined, audiometric - its degree;
tympanometry is relevant with an intact tympanic membrane. This method evaluates the mobility of the membrane, the pressure in it, the presence of scars and exudate is determined. Purulent forms require bacteriological tests that identify the pathogen and determine its susceptibility to drugs.
computed tomography, abbreviated as CT, temporal parts allows you to identify complications and the depth of pathology, damage to bone tissue, the presence of neoplasms;
vestibular tests reveal the degree of dizziness and the ability to keep balance;
in some cases, an examination by a therapist is necessary.

How to treat otitis media?

Treatment depends not only on the form of otitis, but also on the stage. It is important to remember that for this period it is necessary to exclude water from entering the sore ear, for which it is laid with cotton wool soaked in oil during water procedures. When choosing drops, it is necessary to carefully study their composition: the presence of ototoxic components can cause permanent hearing loss.

Popular and effective methods of physiotherapy are iontophoresis using iodine, bromine, calcium, zinc, furacilin, UHF, paraffin therapy, actinotherapy (infrared and ultraviolet radiation), tympanic membrane massage.

Spicy

At the beginning of the disease, without the formation of a purulent secret, warming compresses are applied to the area near the ear. Such treatment is prohibited when pus is released. With a complete tympanic membrane, ear drops with an analgesic effect, and after she broke through - drugs with antibiotic action. Vasoconstrictor nasal sprays shown. If acute otitis media the middle ear is caused or, in parallel, they are treated.

Usually the first 2-3 days antibiotic therapy is not carried out, only after this period a decision is made on its application. But some conditions require the mandatory prescription of antibiotics, namely:

Severe form of the disease;
severe comorbidities;
immunodeficiency.

If the eardrum has not broken through and there is pus inside, they resort to surgical intervention- piercing the eardrum. This will not only eliminate pain, but also facilitate the process of getting drugs inside. They also resort to blowing the auditory tube.

Chronic

Before treating this form of ear disease, it is necessary to eliminate foci of chronic infection inother ENT organs, .

If an exacerbation occurs, conservative therapy. It includes washing the ear with a doctor, using antibiotics in the form of ear drops.
The main treatment is surgical. If the eardrum has a defect, it is closed with cartilage from the tragus.

Shunting of the membrane (placement of the tube) is carried out in case of chronic exudative otitis media middle ear. Through the shunt, which the patient wears for several months, the contents of the tympanic cavity are brought out, and drugs are administered.

In the adhesive form, excision of scars is performed, replacement of the membrane artificial material, which can also be grown from the patient's cartilage.

Forecast

Otitis media is a serious illness, if timely medical care is not provided, the patient may die. The complications that accompany it include:

Mastoiditis - defeat mastoid process, localized in the temporal part;
, encephalitis;
inflammation of the facial nerve, which leads to a violation of the symmetry and mobility of the facial muscles;
otogenic sepsis - infection through the blood of other organs;
the formation of blood clots in the membranes of the brain;
cholesteatoma is a neoplasm that grows into tympanic cavity through its damage and destructive effect on nearby tissues, including bone;
hearing loss up to complete deafness.

Prevention methods

Can an adult avoid otitis media? No one can give a complete guarantee against the disease. But you can always reduce the risks. Preventive measures to achieve this include:

Timely application for medical assistance and compliance with all, without exception, the recommendations of the doctor;
treatment chronic ailments, especially ENT organs;
correction of nasal breathing;
correction of conditions associated with a decrease defensive forces organism - diabetes mellitus, AIDS, etc.;

hardening, which allows to strengthen the body and its resistance to viruses, infections;
proper nutrition and maintenance healthy lifestyle life.

At the first symptoms of otitis media (inflammation) of the middle ear, it is important to immediately consult a doctor - an otolaryngologist or therapist. You can not self-medicate, use drops on your own, warm the sore ear. It's about not only about the loss of a feeling important for normal human life - hearing, but also about a serious danger to life.

Otitis media is a disease that occurs due to the development of an inflammatory process in various departments hearing organ. This disease is most often manifested by pain and intoxication syndrome, fever, and in some cases even hearing loss is observed.

Why does otitis externa occur?

Most often, otitis externa is accompanied by lesions of the middle and outer parts of the organ. An external disease can develop as a result of an infection that penetrates the tissues through small scratches that occur when the outer shell is damaged. This may be due to thermal chemical burns, mechanical injury And so on. In this case, the main causative agents of the disease are staphylococci and streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus, and so on. Also otitis externa ear most often occurs in people who suffer from a disorder metabolic processes in the body, hypervitaminosis, gout and diabetes mellitus.

It is worth noting that this disease begins with an inflammatory process, which initially captures only surface layer shells. Gradually, otitis media also passes to the tissues surrounding the ear. Often, the disease also spreads to the eardrums.

Causes of the development of otitis media

As for otitis media, it develops mainly due to infections of the nasopharynx. In this scenario, the pathogen enters the middle ear cavity through the auditory tube. In this case, ARVI pathogens will cause otitis media. Treatment will be aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. What provokes such a disease? Most often, otitis media occurs with parainfluenza, influenza, rhino- and adenovirus infections, respiratory syncytial disease, and others. Also, this disease develops in diseases caused by bacteria such as Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella, Pyogenic Streptococcus, Pneumococcus.

Most often, otitis media of the ears appears in children, since their auditory tube is short and wide. It is worth noting that the infection can also penetrate from the outside with barotrauma of the eardrums or mechanical damage. Also development this disease contribute to infectious chronic diseases such as adenoids, sinusitis, tonsillitis.

Initially, otitis media occurs as an inflammatory process on the mucous membrane of the organ. In this case, an active production of fluid occurs. With viral diseases, the exudate is serous. If the process is called various bacteria, then purulent otitis media with the corresponding secretions may begin. Often, the accumulated fluid causes a protrusion of the eardrum. In extreme cases, it breaks. This is the main cause of hearing loss in otitis media.

The main symptoms and signs of otitis externa

With this disease, the patient suffers from severe pain in the area auricle or inside the body. Often patients complain of itchy skin. At the same time, putrefactive secretions are separated from the outer part of the auditory organ, which have enough bad smell. With the development of otitis externa, there is often an increase in temperature to subfebrile indicators.

The main symptoms and signs of the development of otitis media

Otitis media begins acutely. In this case, strong pain sensations of a shooting or pulsating nature are manifested. This disease causes an increase in body temperature, usually up to 38 ° C and above. There are also symptoms such as intoxication, manifested by muscle pain, loss of appetite, headache, weakness. Often, with otitis media, there are signs that correspond to acute respiratory infections e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose. At the same time, the patient is very worried about hearing loss, noise and congestion in the ears.

In newborns, otitis media presents a little differently. The child is constantly naughty and worried. In this case, the baby is not able to suck. A few days later, perforation of the eardrums occurs. As a result, pain is reduced. Fluid gradually begins to come out of the auditory canal. It can be in the form of pus or transparent. Over time, the amount of secretions decreases, as the eardrum begins to scar, and pain decreases. At proper treatment otitis ear in a child disappears, and the organ of hearing is completely restored.

Complications of otitis media

If you do not engage in timely treatment of the disease or treat it incorrectly, then there may be the following complications: thrombosis of the venous sinuses, and in rare cases even sepsis, abscess and meningitis, labyrinthitis and purulent mastoiditis, hearing impairment and even deafness, adhesive otitis media, chronic inflammation, persistent perforation of the tympanic membrane.

Diagnosis of the disease

Only a narrow profile specialist can make a diagnosis of otitis media. The diagnosis of the disease is based on the otorhinolaryngological and clinical examination of the patient. At instrumental method To identify the disease, otoscopy is usually used, which allows you to examine the eardrums and the external auditory canal using an otoscope, as well as otomicroscopy, carried out using surgical optics. Often used audiometry, which determines the acuity of hearing, and tympanometry, which is a study of the mobility of the eardrums.

In order to avoid the development of complications this disease the physician may apply computed tomography bone structures skull, as well as the study of the brain using x-rays.

Often for staging correct diagnosis and in order to distinguish between purulent and viral otitis, a puncture of the eardrums is made. This allows you to extract some of the accumulated fluid for its further study. In this case, even bacteriological culture, which allows you to determine what is the causative agent of the infection. After all, before treating otitis media, you need to know the cause of its occurrence.

Treatment of otitis media

So, otitis media - how to treat this disease? Most often, its therapy is conservative and is carried out on an outpatient basis with its mild course by an otorhinolaryngologist. IN without fail hospitalized patients with severe otitis media. Treatment of such a disease under the supervision of a doctor avoids complications. Children with otitis media of any degree also need hospitalization. At the same time, the definition of tactics to combat the disease and its direct treatment is carried out only after a thorough examination of the patient by a doctor.

Patients are usually given antibiotics if they have bacterial otitis media ear. Treatment in this case is carried out with drugs such as Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime, Cefuroxime, Clavulanate, Amoxicillin, as well as Midecamycin, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin. If the patient suffers from purulent otitis media, then a respiratory fluoroquinolone, such as Moxifloxacin or Levofloxacin, is used in his therapy. For the treatment of external diseases, special drops are used in the ears for otitis media. For example, it can be means of "Polydex" or "Otof".

To reduce pain and other manifestations of the disease, drops are used in the ears for otitis media, which are used in complex therapy: preparations "Otipaks" and "Otizol". Many experts prescribe washing with solutions of antiseptics of the auditory canals. However, this method is effective only for otitis externa. To overcome the inflammatory process, the doctor may prescribe antipyretic drugs - ibuprofen and aspirin - for oral administration. These medicines have moderate analgesic properties.

As for warming up and physiotherapy, these methods of treatment are allowed only after consultation with specialists. In most cases, it all depends on the degree of the disease.

Bee products for the treatment of otitis media

To cure otitis media, you can prepare drops based on honey. To do this, it is necessary to dilute in warm water this product keeping the proportions one to one. A few drops of the solution are instilled into the sore ear.

Such therapy can be supplemented with propolis tincture 20%. This agent is impregnated with a swab made of gauze, which is inserted into the sore ear. The course of such therapy is from two to three weeks.

10% propolis tincture can be used for instillation of the ears. To do this, tilt your head to your shoulder and drip just a few drops into the ear canal. So the remedy will penetrate into the middle ear. Keep your head in this position for several minutes.

Mint tincture for otitis media

So, how to treat otitis media at home? Of course, herbs. An excellent remedy for this disease is mint tincture. It takes a few spoons to prepare. dried mint pour about a glass of ordinary vodka. The drug should stand for several days in a closed container. In the finished product, pieces of gauze are wetted and injected into the ear. This tincture allows you to quickly eliminate otitis media. Treatment can be supplemented with medications with the permission of the attending physician.

Herbal tincture

This is another tincture that is considered quite effective for otitis media. To prepare it, you need to take a few spoons. dried herb and pour 100 milliliters of vodka. The drug is infused for seven days in complete darkness. In the finished tincture, gauze turundas are moistened, and then put into the ears.

Tinctures of calendula and St. John's wort are prepared in the same way. These funds allow you to eliminate the main symptoms, alleviate the patient's condition and eliminate otitis media.

Teas and infusions against otitis media

Improve general state the patient is allowed a variety of teas prepared on the basis of plants. Healing qualities possesses a drink made from red rose petals, black currant berries, wild rose and raspberry roots.

To wash the ear, you can use an infusion of noble laurel leaves. To prepare it, you should take a few tablespoons of pre-chopped leaves. This amount of grass is poured with a whole glass of boiling water and left for several hours. The infused leaves are filtered, and the infusion is used to treat otitis media. Before use, it should be warmed up so that it is slightly warm. With purulent otitis media, an infusion of laurel leaves is instilled directly into the ear.

medicine from vegetables

Also against purulent otitis media you can use regular garlic. To do this, a cleaned clove is inserted into the ear. A good drug for otitis media is considered onion, gruel from which is laid out on a piece of gauze. The resulting compress is inserted into the affected ear. Red beets have the necessary properties. The vegetable is grated and transferred to an enameled container. A glass of water and a dessert spoon of honey are added to the resulting slurry. The container is placed on a small fire, and its contents are brought to a boil. The broth should be kept on fire for another 15 minutes. The finished mass is cooled and used as compresses, wrapped in a piece of gauze. A plastic film and cotton wool are laid on top. It is fixed with a warm scarf for several hours. The procedure should be carried out several times a day.

Conclusion

With otitis externa or middle ear, it is imperative to consult a doctor for advice. advanced disease without timely treatment entails severe consequences. Before treating otitis media, you need to go through full examination. You should not engage in therapy with folk remedies on your own, since an incorrectly selected drug can only lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition.

Ear pain can have a huge number of causes: respiratory diseases, changes in atmospheric pressure, sulfur accumulated in the ear, infection in the sinuses, and many others. In medicine, inflammation of the ear and outer ear area is called "otitis": "otos" - ear, "itis" - inflammation. Otitis media affects people of all ages.

Otitis occurs:

chronic;
sharp;
catarrhal, i.e. with edema;
exudative, i.e. with liquid.

It is important! Regardless of the cause of the disease, a visit to the doctor is mandatory, even if after some time the state of health has already returned to normal. So you can find out accurate diagnosis, and also receive clear prescriptions for the treatment of otitis media. This step will ensure that you keep your hearing. Also in this case, there will be confidence that some hidden processes do not occur in your body, since they may be harbingers of an even larger ailment.

If it happens that it is not possible to visit a doctor, then with caution, otitis media can be cured at home. Otitis media in children and adults is treated in the same way.

Reasons for the development of the disease:

not fully cured diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
infection from the nose and maxillary sinuses due to respiratory diseases;
barotrauma of the hearing organs;
water retention in the ear canal;
damage to the ear canal with sharp and piercing objects;
allergic reactions;
ingress of foreign objects.

Common symptoms for all types of otitis:

deterioration or loss of hearing;
temperature increase;
sharp pain in the form of lumbago or pulsation;
high body temperature;
leakage of fluid from the auditory canal.

Types of otitis media

Depending on the localization of the site of inflammation, otolaryngologists distinguish three types of otitis media: internal, external and middle.

otitis media

Internal otitis occurs as a result of neglect of the treatment of the inflammatory process in the middle ear. He is strong painful sensations almost always accompanied by dizziness and vomiting. The patient experiences hearing loss, and it may also be completely lost.

Otitis media

Often, otitis media occurs as a complication after an infectious or viral disease, for example, sore throats or flu. This disease is quite difficult: continuous pain is felt in the form of pulsations or sharp outbreaks. The patient loses the ability to hear, body temperature rises, a colorless or yellow liquid is released from the ear canal.

The common cold often causes otitis media. Spreading, the infection is in the Eustachian tubes, where it penetrates from the sinuses. Eustachian tubes are designed to equalize pressure, but the inflammatory process causes swelling, and given function is violated. Soon the surface of the middle ear mucosa becomes infected and gives rise to inflammatory process in acute form. Pressure near the tympanic membrane also decreases, so an effusion forms in the lumen of the middle ear.

Otitis media certainly requires medical intervention however, treatment can be started immediately using home remedies.

Otitis externa

Perhaps, everyone has encountered manifestations of external otitis at least once in their life: itching, pain of varying intensity both in the organ itself and in nearby tissues, purulent discharge, swelling. The cause of infection and the occurrence of otitis externa can be needles, knitting needles, toothpicks, which are used to clean the ear canal. They create microtraumas, microcracks through which pathogenic bacteria easily penetrate.

Specialists distinguish between two types of otitis externa - limited and diffuse.

Treatment of otitis externa requires referral to a qualified medical care, but the beginning of treatment is quite possible to carry out at home.

Otitis media treatment at home

warming up

Heat helps relieve soreness from the infection, promotes the maturation of the abscess and reduces inflammation in the ear. Warming should not be used by people suffering from hypertension. The following are simple but effective ways warming up.

1. Oil heating.

Chamomile officinalis oil, lavender, tea tree and almonds mix in equal proportions. Heat the resulting mixture in a water bath to approximately 40 degrees. The medicine is instilled into the ear canal twice a day, three drops. Treatment should be continued until the signs of the disease disappear, but not more than four days.

2. Warming up with a warm air jet from a hair dryer.

The hair dryer is set to hot air drying mode on the low power. Air flow is directed into the auditory canal at a slight angle, while the device itself is held at a distance of 20 cm from the ear. Warm up the ear in this way should be twice a day for three minutes. Treatment continues for 5 days.

3. Warming up with a hot damp towel.

You need to lie with your sore ear on a hot, damp towel. As the towel cools, put it back in hot water, squeeze dry and repeat the procedure. You should lie on a towel for up to fifteen minutes, the procedure is repeated three times a day for five days.

4. Heating with rock salt.

Coarse rock salt should be heated in a cast iron skillet. Pour the salt into a cotton bag, which you can additionally wrap with a thin towel to begin with to avoid burns. Apply salt to the diseased organ. Advantage this method is that salt retains heat for quite a long time, so it is suitable for patients childhood or for use at night. Salt is kept near the auricle for fifteen minutes, warming is repeated three times a day. Treatment is continued for five days.

5. Warming up boiled egg.

This method is effective in cases where inflammation of the ear is accompanied by the formation of pus. A hard-boiled egg is wrapped in a clean linen or cotton cloth and applied to the sore spot. The ear is warmed with a boiled egg three times a day for ten minutes, the procedure continues for five days.

6. Warming up with sugar smoke.

In a metal bowl, melt one tablespoon of granulated sugar, bring it to a boil. As soon as smoke begins to come from the sugar, you need to bring the paper cone to the bowl with the wide end, trying to capture the smoke in it. The other, narrow end of the cone is inserted into the ear. The procedure continues for 5-10 minutes until the smoke stops. After that, the cone is removed, and a cotton swab is inserted into the ear. The procedure is done once a day for five days.

Summary table on the use of heat treatment

Treatment method	Duration, min	Number of times per day	Amount of days
Oil heating	3	2	4
Heating with warm air from a hair dryer	2	3	5
Warming up with a hot damp towel	15	3	5
Heating with rock salt	15	3	5
Warming up with a boiled egg	10	3	5
Warming up with sugar	5-10	1	5

Phytotherapy

1. Ginger.

Rinse fresh, fresh ginger root under running water, rinse with boiling water. Peel the rhizome. Grind the ginger on the smallest grater or use a blender for this. Squeeze juice from the resulting mass. Bury in the ear canal 2 drops twice a day. Continue treatment for five days. The effective anti-inflammatory effect of ginger will help to quickly relieve pain and relieve the severity of the disease. Pressed cake can be added to brewed tea and consumed throughout the day as needed to drink.

2. Bow.

Fresh onions are grated, after which the juice is squeezed out. Juice should not be instilled into the ear canal, they are lubricated with tissues around the diseased area. A gauze bandage should be placed on the lubricated fabrics, and secured on top with a warming bandage. Onion phytoncides penetrate the skin through the skin and reduce inflammation and pain. The process is repeated twice a day, the treatment continues until the cure.

3. Garlic.

Garlic is a well-known healer of those ailments that are associated with various types infections. A clove of garlic is crushed, juice is squeezed out of it, which is mixed with a comparable amount olive oil. Heated drops are introduced into the ear canal of the diseased organ, 1-2 drops twice a day. Treatment continues for five days.

4. Bay leaf.

five leaves bay leaf medium-sized throw in 200 ml of boiling water, cook for 5 minutes and leave to cool to room temperature. We filter the resulting decoction and instill 2-3 drops into the sore ear three times a day. Instillation should be repeated within four days.

5. Aloe.

Large fleshy leaves of aloe are used to extract juice, which is diluted with the same amount. boiled water. Turundas from cotton wool are abundantly moistened in the resulting solution and introduced into the ear canal for 15-20 minutes. Treatment is carried out twice a day in the morning and in the evening for four days.

6. Geranium.

Fresh geranium leaves are an excellent decongestant and anti-inflammatory agent. The plucked leaf is kneaded to a pliable state, and then twisted in the form of a turunda and placed in the ear. Keep green turundas in the ear for 20-30 minutes. Turunds need to be inserted three times a day. The procedure should be repeated for seven days. This remedy significantly reduces pain.

On a note! You can not use geranium, which blooms with huge caps of inflorescences of different colors! Geranium suitable for the treatment of otitis should be of a special variety with small blue flowers. Only this species geraniums can be used as a remedy.

Summary table on the use of treatment in the form of the use of herbal remedies

Treatment method	Number of drops	Number of times per day	Amount of days
Ginger	2	2	5
Onion	2 applications	2	Treatment continues until cure
Garlic	1-2	2	5
Bay leaf	2-3	3	4
Aloe	15-20 min	2	4
Geranium	20-30 minutes	3	7

home remedies

1. Hydrogen peroxide.

One percent or three percent hydrogen peroxide is instilled with a pipette into the ear in the amount of three drops twice a day. You need to keep the peroxide in the ear until the bubbles form, after which the remaining liquid is shaken out of the ear. Repeat treatment until cure.

2. Boric alcohol.

Boric alcohol is heated slightly warmer than room temperature, instilled into the auditory canal from a pipette two drops three times a day. After the introduction of alcohol, the ear should be closed with a cotton swab. If boric alcohol No, it may well be replaced by camphor oil. Repeat the process until the pain disappears.

3. Tincture of propolis.

Propolis tincture helps with the most severe pain in the ear. It can be used when there are no abscesses, boils or abscesses in the ear. The tincture should be warmed to room temperature before instillation, 2 drops are injected into the ear three times a day. After that, a warming bandage is applied. Treatment continues until cured.

Video - How to treat otitis media at home

Possible complications of otitis media

Untreated or undertreated otitis media can lead to dire consequences:

inflammation of the meninges;
inflammation of the lymph nodes;
inflammation of the sublingual region;
hearing loss of varying degrees.

Prevention of inflammatory diseases of the ear

Preventive measures are many times better than any, the most perfect treatment. In order to avoid otitis media of any form, you need to follow a few simple rules:

regular hardening procedures;
healthy eating;
physical activity;
prevent hypothermia or overheating of the body, do not let the course of respiratory diseases take its course;
complete a course of therapy for colds;
promptly remove mucus from the nasal passages.

It is important! Given in the article folk remedies otitis cures are especially effective in complex therapy in combination with medications, which should be prescribed by an otolaryngologist.