Why do my ears “shoot”, or how to deal with otitis media? Types of acute otitis media and their treatment.

Otitis is an inflammation of the ear that can be localized internally or externally. Otitis varies in severity and is often found in children. Often caused by germs or viruses, this disease is usually infectious in nature. The ICD code for otitis media is 380.10.

Typically, otitis media can accompany colds, runny nose and cough. Ear disease can become chronic, possibly damaging the eardrum, which can lead to frequent inflammation and hearing problems if treatment is not started on time and the disease progresses.

The causes of this disease can be different.

Viral and bacterial diseases, inflammatory processes in the body.
Other diseases of the nasopharynx, for example, runny nose, sinusitis, adenoids in children.
Injuries, mechanical damage to the auricle.
Getting water into the ear, especially contaminated water.
Improper ear hygiene, leading to the formation of wax plugs and damage to the eardrum.
Hypothermia.
Features of the structure of the auditory canal.

In some cases, the reasons may be combined.

Otitis externa is inflammation of the external ear canal, the middle and inner ear are not affected. This form can become chronic if treatment is not started in time. Otitis externa can be of two types.

Limited. It is characterized by the appearance of boils, abscess of the tissues of the outer ear, and the formation of abscesses. Most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Spilled or diffuse. This is an extensive lesion of the tissues of the outer ear and ear canal, which sometimes reaches the eardrum. Most often, infection occurs when water, especially dirty water, gets into the ear. Therefore, swimmers often encounter diffuse external otitis.

The external form is often a complication of influenza and other severe colds. Sometimes it can be caused by fungus, allergies, seborrhea, dermatitis and other skin diseases.

Symptoms of external otitis

The symptoms of this disease may resemble those of the internal or intermediate form, so the correct diagnosis can only be made after examination by a doctor.

Otalgia is pain in the ear. May be different in character.
Changes in auditory perception, up to severe temporary loss.
Congestion, feeling of pressure in the ear.
Noise, ringing, itching in the ears.
Various discharges, most often purulent.
Pain when pulling or touching the auricle is a distinctive feature of the external form.

During the examination, the doctor will notice swelling, contamination of the ear canal, and inflammation of the eardrum.

Important! If you are concerned about these symptoms, you should consult an otolaryngologist.

For diagnosis, an external examination by a doctor is usually sufficient; sometimes exudate, if any, is taken for analysis to determine the pathogen. In rare cases, the following studies are required:

otoscopy;
tympanometry;
computed tomography and others.

How to treat otitis externa?

Treatment for this form begins right in the doctor's office. The specialist must open the boils, if any, and remove all pus and the ear canal. Next, the necessary medications are prescribed.

Important! You cannot open boils that form during otitis on your own.

Antibiotics. They are prescribed if otitis media was caused by bacteria, so they cannot be taken without tests. Examples: Oxacillin, Cefazolin, Amoxiclav and others.
Antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. You cannot do without them if ear disease is accompanied by fever and severe pain. Usually drugs based on ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol are used.
Drops in the ears. Often they already contain corticosteroids or antibiotics. Normax, Candibiotic, Otinum, Otofa and others are common.
Ointments. Used for speedy healing of damaged, inflamed areas. For example, Levomekol, Triderm.
UV therapy and UHF therapy. Physiotherapy accelerates recovery and enhances the effect of medications.

All medications and procedures are selected depending on the type of otitis externa, the extent of the damage and what caused the disease. If it occurs against the background of an allergy, then therapy with antihistamines is definitely necessary; if it is a consequence of the flu, it must be cured completely and prevent a relapse.

Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear. This form is often found in children, even infants. Acute disease develops quickly, sometimes within a few hours there are already noticeable symptoms. The acute form without treatment becomes chronic. Based on the nature of the exudate, purulent, bullous and catarrhal otitis media are distinguished.

There are several stages of acute illness, each with different symptoms.

Acute eustacheitis. At this stage, there is congestion in the ear, noise, and the temperature rises only in the presence of infection.
Acute catarrhal inflammation. A sharp, severe pain occurs, the temperature rises, and an inflammatory process in the ear is observed.
Stage of purulent inflammation. The pain reaches its peak and can radiate to the teeth and other areas of the head. Hearing is decreasing. Inflammation is noticeable on blood tests.
Post-perforation stage. The pain subsides, the temperature drops, but congestion and deafness remain, and exudate is released from the ear.
Reparative stage. The inflammation goes away, the damage to the eardrum is covered with a scar.

Important! Treatment should begin in the initial stages of the disease, otherwise serious complications are possible.

After the discharge of pus, the patient’s condition usually improves, followed by recovery. However, if the pus does not come out or not all of it comes out, the infection can spread further, which can lead to inflammation of the brain or meningitis. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor in any situation.

How to treat otitis media?

Treatment must be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician; it is important to establish the nature of the disease and the extent of the damage. In any case, bed rest and rest are recommended, otherwise the risk of complications increases. The doctor must also clear the ear canal of any secretions. The main methods of treating otitis media are as follows.

Use of antibiotics. This is important during acute otitis media. Usually Amoxicillin or Amoxiclav is used, otherwise Sumamed or Rovamycin. Antibiotics are used in tablet form; if complications develop, intramuscular or intravenous administration is possible.
Medicines to relieve inflammation and pain. Usually these are painkillers and antipyretics based on ibuprofen, aspirin, paracetamol.
Drops. With a medium form, it is important that they are at room temperature; you can warm the bottle in warm water before instillation. Otinum or Garazon can be used.
Drops into the nose if there is swelling. Vasoconstrictors are used, for example, Nazol or Naphthyzin.
Drugs that improve immunity. These include vitamins and vitamin complexes, which can be in the form of tablets or injections.
Physiotherapy – electrophoresis or UHF.

In rare cases, surgery is required. With otitis media, heating the ear is strictly prohibited, as this contributes to the spread of infection.

Important! When treating otitis media in pregnant women, it should be taken into account that antibiotics cannot be used in most cases.

Internal otitis media - labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an inflammation in the inner ear that occurs if the infection due to otitis media or other diseases penetrates deeper. With this disease, vestibular disorders occur due to damage to internal structures. Often after treatment, patients require hearing restoration using prosthetics and other methods.

Labyrinthitis can also become chronic.

Symptoms

Labyrinthitis is characterized by vestibular disorders,

Impaired coordination, movement, balance.
Dizziness, often occurs in attacks, nystagmus.
Nausea, vomiting.
Increased sweating, pale face.
Tachycardia, bradycardia, other rhythm disturbances.
Hearing loss, the onset of complete deafness if the disease is advanced.

To make a correct diagnosis, the otolaryngologist must consult with a neurologist, traumatologist, and other specialists may be involved. Otoscopy, CT and X-ray are done, other studies are possible depending on the nature of the disease and what caused it.

How to treat labyrinthitis?

When treating labyrinthitis, the same complex of drugs is used as for other types of otitis. Only local methods are excluded, since the lesion spreads inside the ear.

In case of labyrinthitis, it is important to stop dizziness; this is done with the help of vestibulolytics, for example, Bellataminal. In some cases, surgery is necessary if labyrinthitis is accompanied by complications. Operations are performed on the middle ear.

If you have lost your hearing during your illness, you need to consult a hearing specialist and an audiologist. Sometimes hearing restoration surgery is performed, and in some cases a hearing prosthesis is selected.

Important! Serious complications can be avoided by starting treatment in the early stages of otitis media.

Treatment of otitis at home

Otitis externa and media in the early stages can be successfully treated at home after consultation with your doctor; they do not require constant monitoring or surgical intervention. In addition, there are several home methods that will help alleviate the patient’s condition if it is not possible to immediately consult a specialist.

For otitis media and other ear diseases, you should not use suppositories; their effectiveness has not been proven; for inflammatory diseases, they can be dangerous. Also, during otitis, you should not heat your ear, as heat promotes the spread of infection.

Compresses on the ear

You can apply a compress at home; it helps with otitis media. To do this, moisten a cotton wool roll with vodka and wrap it tightly to your head, but there should be a little free space between the cotton wool and the ear itself. This compress needs to be kept for several hours, but you can do it at night.

It is important to remember that the best treatment is conservative, with the help of medications. Therefore, seeing a doctor is extremely important.

Prevention

Often the occurrence of otitis depends on the person himself. It is especially important to follow the rules of prevention during diseases of the nasopharynx and respiratory tract, in which the development of otitis media is most likely.

The use of drops with a vasoconstrictor effect during a runny nose, mandatory rinsing of the nose. When you have a runny nose, you should blow your nose carefully, without taking deep breaths, so that the discharge does not rise higher.
Maintaining optimal air humidity. Often, too dry air leads to ear diseases.
Drinking plenty of fluids is especially important during illnesses accompanied by fever.
Be careful when taking antibiotics; incorrectly selected medications can cause ear diseases.
Proper ear hygiene. You should only clean the outer ear; if you try to push the cotton swab deeper, you can damage the eardrum or cause cerumen, which leads to the appearance of otitis media.

For any diseases of the nasopharynx, you should immediately contact an ENT specialist; the occurrence of otitis media is easier to prevent than to subsequently treat it.

Otitis is an inflammatory disease of the ear that can occur in various forms. The main cause of otitis is infection, most often of a bacterial nature. Therefore, the main medicine is usually...

Otitis is the name given to various inflammatory and infectious diseases of the auditory system, which has several sections - the inner ear, the middle ear - a cavity separated from the external auditory canal by the eardrum.
Inflammation of this cavity is usually called otitis media; this is the most common ear disease.

Signs and diagnosis

Otitis media can go through several stages in its development, and each is characterized by its own symptoms.

Catarrhal acute otitis media– the initial stage of the disease, characterized by the gradual accumulation of exudate (liquid) in the cavity, therefore otitis media of this form also called exudative. Symptoms gradually increase:

If the inflammatory process cannot be suppressed in a timely manner, catarrhal otitis media goes over in purulent, or perforated, pus accumulates in the cavity, puts pressure on the membrane and leads to its breakthrough (how to treat perforation of the eardrum). Symptoms change in the following sequence:

pallor, weakness due to intoxication, increased pain and temperature (preperforative stage);
discharge of pus from the ear during perforation usually occurs on the 3rd day of development of purulent otitis (perforative stage);
reduction in temperature and pain, improvement in hearing (reparative stage lasting 2-3 weeks).

Undertreated acute purulent otitis media may turn into chronic, this is facilitated by the presence of foci of infections in the body, weakened immunity, and certain diseases.

Pain and fever are not typical for this form; its typical symptoms are:

mucous discharge from the ear, which can be either constant or appear periodically;
hearing loss ().

Relapses of chronic otitis media in combination with diseases of the upper respiratory tract lead to the development of an adhesive form of the disease, in which adhesions are formed due to periodic accumulation of fluid in the ear cavity. They consist of dense tissue and interfere with the normal movement of the auditory ossicles, so for adhesive otitis media characteristic:

progressive hearing loss;
sensation of tinnitus.

Otitis media should be diagnosed by an ENT specialist, conducting an external examination, otoscopy and palpation. When examining and palpating, the doctor pays attention to the face (otitis media can lead to paresis facial nerve), the condition of the lymph nodes behind the ears and the mastoid process, located in the lower part of the temporal bone.

It is written about how to treat otitis with camphor oil. This is a simple but effective way to get rid of the disease.

The eardrum is examined using a special funnel-shaped instrument called an otoscope. The degree of hearing impairment is determined using audiometry. With purulent otitis The discharge may be examined to determine the nature of the infection that caused the inflammation and to prescribe adequate treatment.

Causes of the disease

Otitis media is usually a secondary disease. Most often, it develops against the background of exacerbation of inflammatory processes in the nose and nasopharynx and is the result of the penetration of infection from them through the auditory tube. The causative agent is usually coccal bacteria. The development of the disease is facilitated by the following factors:

hypothermia;
weakened immunity;
vitamin deficiency, poor nutrition;
diabetes mellitus, rickets in children;
chronic foci of infection in the ENT organs;
infectious diseases - influenza, measles, scarlet fever, .

Otitis media is often preceded by tubo-otitis, inflammation of the eustachian tube connecting the nasopharynx to the tympanic cavity. First, the infection enters the auditory tube, and if tubootitis (eustacheitis) is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, then it also enters the middle ear cavity.

Another disease closely associated with otitis media– mastoiditis (about treatment and inflammation of the internal cells of the mastoid process). Sometimes it causes otitis media, and sometimes it develops as a complication.

Treatment methods for otitis media

The main principle is an integrated approach and focus of treatment not only on the otitis itself, but also on the disease that caused it.

A specific method of treating ear diseases is to blow and wash the auditory tubes to ensure their normal functioning, relieve inflammation and destroy infection.

When rinsing, medications are introduced into the cavity. It is carried out either through a catheter inserted through the nose, or through the external auditory canal, but after its preliminary cleaning.

The second method is applied only if there is a hole in the eardrum caused by a rupture or surgical incision.

What do you know about one of the most unpleasant diseases? We invite you to read the useful article below the link.

If you need to know how to treat chronic otitis externa (). then follow the link and read a useful article.

On the page: read about the treatment of ear candidiasis.

For blowing, a device made of a rubber bulb and an olive tip inserted into the nose, connected by a flexible tube ( Politzer method), or a catheter.

The following medications are used in the treatment of otitis:

painkillers - dropped into the ear;
antibiotics - for bacterial infections, in the form of intramuscular injections, as well as for washing the tympanic cavity;
glucocorticoids - to relieve inflammation and reduce swelling;
antihistamines - in case of the allergic nature of the underlying disease and severe swelling of the tissues;
vasoconstrictors - instilled into the nose to expand the ear canal;
antipyretics – at elevated temperatures.

Therapy

For catarrhal otitis media, slightly warmed drugs to relieve pain (otinum, novocaine) are instilled into the ear 2-3 times a day, then the ear is closed with a cotton swab.

You need to put drops in your nose three times a day. If it is possible to bring down the temperature, the ear is warmed up with a heating pad or compresses are made. Antibiotics are taken according to a regimen depending on the drug.

For purulent otitis media, any thermal procedures are contraindicated. After a rupture of the eardrum, it is necessary to clean the ear canal with hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) and instill or inject antibacterial drugs into the ear. The instillation of vasoconstrictor drugs into the nose continues.

During the transition of otitis media from acute to chronic form You should start eliminating the provoking factor - treating diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

It is necessary to remove pus as it appears; powdered antibiotics can be injected into the tympanic cavity; in more complex cases, they are administered intramuscularly. Physiotherapeutic procedures are also indicated - UHF, laser, mud therapy.

For adhesive otitis media, blowing is performed using the Politzer method and pneumomassage of the tympanic membrane; absorbable drugs are injected into the tympanic cavity to eliminate adhesions. The upper respiratory tract must be sanitized.

Surgical intervention

Surgical methods for the treatment of otitis must be resorted to in a number of cases, in particular, if spontaneous rupture of the eardrum does not occur during purulent otitis, if the adhesions formed during adhesive otitis do not resolve and their dissection is necessary.

Folk remedies can be used as an auxiliary treatment for otitis media. It is advisable to consult with your doctor regarding their safety and appropriateness.

Medicines and their costs

Here are some drugs that can be used in the complex treatment of otitis media.

Otinum– ear drops that relieve inflammation and pain, a 10 ml bottle costs 154-247 rubles in different pharmacies.
Augmentin– a combination drug based on an antibiotic of the penicillin group (amoxicillin), available in tablets, powder for the preparation of suspensions, the cost of 125 mg powder is 145-163 rubles, 375 mg tablets are 275-326 rubles.
Suprastin– an antiallergic (antihistamine) drug, for otitis media it is usually used in the form of tablets. The price of a package of 20 tablets of 25 mg is 123-145 mg.
Galazolin- nasal drops, an affordable vasoconstrictor drug, a 10 ml bottle with a solution of 0.1% concentration costs 36-45 rubles.
Ibuprofen– a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with antipyretic and analgesic effects. The average price of tablets No. 20 is 15 rubles.
Prednisolone– a hormonal anti-inflammatory drug, can be prescribed for exacerbations of otitis, the injection solution is instilled into the ear, nose, and relieves swelling well. The cost of one ampoule with a volume of 1 ml is 9-21 rubles.

Preventive measures

Since otitis media is a secondary disease, its prevention comes down to the prevention and timely treatment of the runny nose, sinusitis, sore throat and other diseases that most often provoke the development of otitis media.

Hypothermia and sudden temperature changes should be avoided.

strengthening the immune system, hardening, nutritious nutrition rich in vitamins;
maintaining hygiene of the external auditory canals and oral cavity;
regular preventive examinations of patients who have previously suffered any otitis media.

Otitis media is a disease associated with excruciating pain, which, if untimely or inadequately treated, is fraught with serious complications - mastoiditis, meningitis. At the first signs of it, you need to consult a doctor and follow his recommendations, and even better, prevent the development of otitis media - after all, it is usually a complication of other diseases.

What is otitis media, what symptoms are signs of this disease, and how to properly treat the ear is told by an ENT doctor in a video from the “Health” program.

It’s good when the eyes see one hundred percent, the ears hear well, and the nose and tongue sense smells and tastes. It's bad when one of these departments becomes inflamed. It’s not for nothing that ear, nose and throat are treated by the same doctor – an otolaryngologist (ENT)..

What is it - otitis media?

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

Types of otitis media according to the affected part of the ear:

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

According to flow forms, they are divided into:

Spicy;
Chronic.

According to the pathogen they are divided into types:

Bacterial species - pneumococcus, moraxella, pyogenic streptococcus, hemophilus influenzae;
Viral type - influenza, parainfluenza, sinovirus, etc.

By exudate:

Catarrhal exudate (non-purulent) is a serous blockage of the ear. Is the initial stage. Fluid accumulates in the ear, congestion occurs, hearing decreases, pain and fever appear.
Purulent exudate is a purulent blockage of the ear, usually occurring in a chronic form. It is the result of an incurable disease. Manifests itself in elevated temperature, accumulation of pus, and severe pain. After 3 days, pus begins to come out of the ear, which helps reduce pain.
The recovery stage occurs when a person is undergoing treatment. The symptoms go away and 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 media - spreads to nearby areas.

Causes of ear inflammation

Let's look at the causes of ear inflammation:

Infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract: sore throat, laryngitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis.
Infections that are brought into the ear when cleaning the ears.
Entry and accumulation of water in the ear.
Allergy.
Frequent entry of water into the ear.

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 ear are:

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

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

With chronic otitis, two signs become characteristic: hearing loss and purulent discharge. Other symptoms, as in the acute form, may not be expressed or appear only during an 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 the objects around the patient and the patient himself;
Nausea;
Hearing loss.

Otitis in children

In children, otitis media occurs quite often (80% of children under 3 years of age become ill). The main form of otitis becomes viral catarrhal with an acute course. The child complains of the main signs of otitis media; fluid may be discharged from the ear. You should not delay contacting a pediatrician so as not to cause the disease to become chronic.

Otitis in adults

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

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of otitis ear begins with listening to the patient’s complaints, as well as a general examination by an otolaryngologist. For a more definitive 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 the mobility of the eardrum;
X-ray and CT scan of the skull;
Tympanocentesis - analysis of fluid from the affected ear;
Blood analysis.

Treatment

Treatment of otitis is complex: medication, physiotherapy and folk remedies. How is ear inflammation treated? 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 must be prescribed by a doctor, even if the patient decides to carry out treatment at home. Everything should be done under the guidance of a doctor so as not to cause the disease to develop complications.

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

Squeeze out the juice or make a paste from the onions, add linseed oil or butter, soak a tampon in the mixture and hold it in your ear.
Squeeze the juice from walnut leaves and place 3 drops in each ear.
Rinsing can be done with chamomile infusion - 1 tsp. pour a glass of boiling water, leave, strain and rinse.
Squeeze the juice from basil leaves and instill 7 drops into the 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:

Warming compresses, but only as prescribed by a doctor;
Diet: eating foods high in proteins and vitamins.

Lifespan

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

Brain abscess;
Meningitis;
Encephalitis;
Mastoiditis;
Hearing loss;
Facial nerve paresis;
Cholesteatoma;
Transfer 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 easily become infected and begin to suffer from otitis media;
Avoid hypothermia;
Strengthen immunity;
Promptly treat all respiratory diseases, as well as inflammation in the oral and nasal cavities: caries, sinusitis, tonsillitis, etc.;
Consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear.

Otitis media is an acute infectious disease manifested by specific symptoms. The disease must be treated, as it is dangerous for the development of complications. No person is immune from the disease, so it is necessary to be able to recognize otitis media in time, the symptoms and treatment of which depend on the form of inflammation.

The disease is an infectious disease and occurs in the form of acute or chronic inflammation. Pathology develops due to the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the Eustachian tubes, and from there into the middle ear.

Causes:

infection of the ear by bacteria or viruses;
complication after influenza or acute respiratory viral infection;
inflammation of the nasopharynx;
sinusitis;
mechanical damage to the ear.

Otitis is considered more of a childhood disease, as it is rare among adults. In children, this disease most often results from a too narrow Eustachian tube. Any inflammation in the nasopharynx or nasopharyngitis leads to the spread of infection through the Eustachian tube into the ear.

In adults, otitis media in the vast majority of cases develops against the background of a general decrease in immunity. The disease is often a complication of inadequate treatment of infectious and viral diseases, including sinusitis.

The risk group includes adults with chronic sinusitis, patients with immunodeficiency and patients with diabetes.

Middle ear disease is accompanied by severe symptoms and requires timely treatment.

Symptoms and signs of the disease

Otitis media is an inflammatory disease with an acute onset and rapid progression of symptoms.

Classic clinical picture:

high temperature and fever;
acute “shooting” pain in the ear;
hearing loss, feeling of congestion;
discharge from the external auditory canal.

Usually, with otitis media, nasal congestion and inflammation of the nasopharynx are observed. This is due to the structural features of the ENT organs, the work of which is closely interconnected. Otitis may be a consequence of inflammation of the maxillary sinuses or nasopharyngitis, but if it acts as an independent disease, it necessarily entails a general deterioration in well-being and the spread of the pathological process to nearby organs.

Types and stages of otitis media

There are two forms of otitis media – acute and chronic. Against the background of the inflammatory process, exudate accumulates. Based on the type of fluid, otitis media is divided into purulent and catarrhal.

In the vast majority of cases, the cause of ear inflammation is cocci (staphylococcus, pneumococcus) and other opportunistic microorganisms. Their activation is due to a decrease in immune defense, or occurs against the background of severe inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx. The causes of the development of acute and chronic diseases are the same, only the severity of the symptoms differs.

Acute otitis media

Acute inflammation of the middle ear is characterized by a rapid increase in body temperature and pain. The main signs of the disease are severe pain and high body temperature. The pathological process may involve surrounding tissues, which leads to the spread of pain throughout the affected part of the head.

A characteristic feature of acute inflammation is sharp, excruciating pain, the so-called “lumbago”. After some time, the inflammatory process resolves, the pain subsides, and purulent fluid begins to ooze from the ear canal.

Acute otitis media occurs in 3 stages:

Stage 1: acute eustachitis;
Stage 2: acute catarrhal inflammation;
Stage 3: acute purulent inflammation.

Acute eustachitis is accompanied by tinnitus, a feeling of pulsation and congestion, and a slight increase in temperature (up to 37-37.4). This stage lasts up to several days, and then turns into acute catarrhal inflammation, which is accompanied by severe pain and an increase in temperature to subfebrile levels. In this case, there is aseptic inflammation of the middle ear, strong noise and pulsation in the ears, severe congestion, accompanied by hearing impairment.

Acute purulent inflammation is the next stage of the disease. This is accompanied by severe pain that radiates to the teeth, lower jaw, eyes and temporal region. The pain intensifies when swallowing and when trying to blow your nose to clear the nose. Body temperature rises to 39-400 C. After some time, the eardrum is perforated, a wound is formed, through which pus flows out. At this stage, symptoms begin to subside.

Acute purulent inflammation will be accompanied by pain until the discharge finds a way out. If this does not happen for a long time, the otolaryngologist makes a puncture through which the purulent masses are removed.

After complete cleansing of the inflamed cavity and removal of the purulent contents, the perforation gradually heals and the disease completely resolves.

Chronic otitis media

Chronic otitis media is a consequence of inadequate treatment of acute inflammation. It develops in two cases: with frequent relapses of acute inflammation with the formation of perforation and discharge of discharge, or as a result of lack of treatment for acute inflammation.

Each time the eardrum ruptures to drain purulent contents from the middle ear to the outside, a small perforation is formed. Over time, it heals, but a scar appears in its place. In the case of chronic otitis, these scars become inflamed or do not heal completely due to the small amount of residual purulent masses in the perforation.

As a rule, the acute form of the disease does not cause pathological hearing impairment. Ear congestion and hearing loss are temporary symptoms that disappear after the integrity of the eardrum is restored. Chronic otitis media can lead to irreversible hearing impairment, but we are talking specifically about weakening, but not complete loss of the ability to hear.

Diagnostic measures

There are no problems with making a diagnosis. An experienced doctor only needs to interview the patient and examine the ears using an endoscope and otoscope to suspect the cause of the ailment. To confirm the presence of purulent inflammation, an X-ray of the temporal bone or a computed tomography scan is prescribed.

Treatment of otitis media in adults at home

Otitis media should be treated on an outpatient basis. The treatment regimen depends on the form and stage of inflammation. In the absence of purulent discharge, therapy is carried out with local remedies using ear drops. If an abscess is present, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Traditional methods of treatment also exist, but they are recommended to be used as an auxiliary rather than the main therapeutic agent.

Chronic otitis media of the middle ear requires complex therapy; self-medication in this case is unacceptable. Inadequate therapy is dangerous for the development of hearing loss.

The most effective drops for otitis media

Antiseptics and antibacterial drugs in the form of drops are used for treatment.

Popular medicines:

Sofradex;
Tsipromed;
Otipax;
Normax.

Sofradex is a combination drug based on a corticosteroid and an antimicrobial agent. Ear drops are effective at the initial stage of the disease, before pus begins to accumulate in the middle ear. The product is used 2-3 drops up to four times a day. The course of treatment takes on average 4-5 days.

Tsipromed drops contain the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin. This is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that quickly relieves inflammation caused by opportunistic microorganisms. The drug is used in ophthalmological and otolaryngological practice. Drops are used up to 3 times a day, 1 drop in each ear.

Otipax is a drug with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The drug contains phenazone and lidocaine. Drops are used for acute otitis media to reduce pain. In case of severe suppuration, the drug is combined with antibiotics. The product can be used 4 drops 4 times a day.

Normax is an effective antimicrobial agent based on the fluoroquinolone norfloxacin. This drug is characterized by broad antimicrobial activity and rapid action. It is used 5 drops three times a day for 4-5 days.

Antibiotics for otitis media in adults

For otitis media, broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs are used. The combination of ear drops with antibiotic tablets helps to minimize the risks of complications and the disease becoming chronic.

The following groups of drugs are most often prescribed:

penicillins (Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav, Augmentin);
fluoroquinolones (Tsipromed, Norfloxacin)
cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone)
macrolides (Sumamed, Azithromycin).

The first-line drugs of choice are penicillins. Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav or Augmentin are prescribed. Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents used in cases of intolerance or ineffectiveness of penicillins. Cephalosporins or macrolides are also prescribed as substitutes for penicillin intolerance.

The dosage and duration of antibiotic treatment is selected individually for each patient.

Treatment with folk remedies

Traditional treatment of otitis media is an extremely dubious measure that cannot replace conservative drug therapy. Such methods can be used as additional ones, but only after consultation with a doctor. It is important to remember that improper treatment of otitis media can lead to hearing loss.

Mix Dimexide and boric acid solution in equal proportions, apply to cotton wool and place it in the ears for an hour. Repeat this manipulation three times a day.
Place 5 large bay leaves in a bowl, add a glass of hot water and boil for 20 minutes. Then cover with a lid, wrap in a towel and leave to steep for another two hours. The product is taken one tablespoon three times a day, while 2-3 drops are instilled into the inflamed ear.
When the eardrum ruptures and pus is released, hydrogen peroxide is used, which is instilled with a pipette, or used in the form of an ear turunda. This helps to quickly clear the ear canal of purulent contents and avoid the transition of acute otitis into a chronic disease.

The only folk method used in modern medicine is hydrogen peroxide. The product has a number of limitations, and in rare cases can provoke the development of complications, but it really effectively clears pus and prevents its re-accumulation. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor before using peroxide.

Possible complications of the disease

Despite the frightening symptoms, acute otitis media practically does not lead to hearing loss if it is treated correctly and in a timely manner.

Complications are characteristic of an advanced chronic form of the disease and manifest themselves:

inflammation of the meninges (meningoencephalitis);
damage to the facial nerve;
sepsis, when purulent masses enter the general bloodstream;
hearing loss.

Timely detected otitis media can be treated quite successfully. Typically, treatment for otitis media takes about one week. Pain and discomfort disappear on the second day after starting drug therapy.

Prevention of otitis media

Otitis in adults is often a consequence of problems with nasal breathing. This may be due to chronic inflammation of the maxillary sinuses or a deviated nasal septum. Otitis media can be prevented only through timely treatment of these disorders.

It is also important to prevent weakening of the immune system and promptly treat any viral and infectious diseases.