Where does the Eustachian tube exit? Video: Eustachitis - symptoms and treatment

Any part of the ear system (inner, middle, outer) can become inflamed. The Eustachian tube, the auditory canal connecting the external auricle with the inner ear.

Its dimensions are up to 4 cm – from external sink before eardrum, and the diameter is no more than 2 mm. In addition to the connecting function, the auditory tube also performs a number of others:

protective;
ventilation;
acoustic;
drainage

It not only provides inner ear air, but also removes moisture that has entered outer ear. Thanks to the mucous membrane, which produces certain enzymes, it prevents the penetration of infection and helps maintain normal pressure internal organs ear system. When the Eustachian tube becomes inflamed (eustachitis or tubootitis), its mucous membrane becomes inflamed and increases in size, the lumen of the canal decreases, and pathogenic mucus stagnates, which leads to the development of pathogenic microflora and spread to the membrane and other organs of hearing. In addition, the pressure in the middle ear increases and ventilation of the ear zone stops, which leads to decreased hearing.

Causes of inflammation of the auditory tube

The causative agents of tubootitis are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in the body of any healthy person:

staphylococci;
streptococci.

With normal immunity and the absence of diseases, these microorganisms complement the general microflora of organs and tissues. But if there are any malfunctions in the functioning of the human body, the activity of these microelements begins to increase, and they begin to destroy healthy cells organs.

Therefore, the causes of eustachitis can include any disease in the body. But most often the disease is provoked by:

hypothermia and overheating;
acute tonsillitis;
colds of any nature: flu, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, sore throat, etc.;
injuries;
ruptured eardrum;
allergies;
incorrect medical procedures;
infectious disease of any organ.

If there is an infection in the body and it is not treated, otitis media is possible. It is known that the ear, nose and throat are closely interconnected systems. And if one of them is ill, the inflammation easily spreads to the other. The close location to the ear area allows infection to enter the Eustachian tube.

The risk group primarily includes people:

with reduced immunity;
having bad habits;
chronic diseases, allergies;
age over 50;
malnourished;
not taking care of personal hygiene;
drug abusers, etc.

Symptoms

Inflammation in the Eustachian tube of the ear, as in other organs of hearing, can be acute or chronic. The acute form is the onset of the disease before 20 days of its development. It is characterized by pronounced symptoms:

ear congestion;
autophony - the unusual sound of one’s own voice;
noises;
a feeling of heaviness in the head in the direction of the inflammatory process;
feeling as if water were flowing in the ear when moving.

Typically acute or aching pain does not occur, the temperature does not rise, general health doesn't get worse. Therefore, patients often do not rush to see an otolaryngologist and begin treatment on their own. Then the acute form becomes chronic - more severe and dangerous. The pathogenic microflora spreads to the eardrum, causing its deformation, the auditory tube closes almost completely, and additional symptoms appear:

persistent hearing loss;
redness in certain areas.

Eustachitis can have any clinical picture, depending on the cause of inflammation:

presence of liquid – exudative type illness;
edema - catarrhal;
pus - purulent;
pathologies on the eardrum - ;
adhesions - adhesive.

Depending on which ear tube is affected, eustachitis can be left-sided, right-sided or bilateral.

The prolonged course of the disease is depressing nervous system, causing stress and increased excitability and fatigue. The sooner you see a doctor, the faster you will get rid of unpleasant symptoms and avoid complications and negative consequences in the form of hearing loss or deafness.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of eustachitis is quite simple. At an appointment with an ENT specialist, the doctor will perform an external examination, collect an anamnesis of diseases and examine the ear using an otoscope. After which a hearing level test will be carried out using speech sounds uttered at different distances and with different volumes. This will help determine the patency of the Eustachian tube.

If the disease is infectious in nature, then tests are taken not only of the contents of the ear area, but also a swab from the throat. Many clinics have modern equipment that allows you to make a diagnosis on the day of treatment.

If the doctor has questions, additional diagnostics are required:

CT scan;
Magnetic resonance imaging;
Ultrasound, MRI, etc.

Treatment

Once placed accurate diagnosis and the patient’s personal intolerance to certain drugs is determined, the patient is sent to the treatment room to cleanse the mucous membrane auditory tube.

The doctor may prescribe medications that will eliminate inflammation:

vasoconstrictors - to relieve swelling;
antihistamines;
antibacterial;
anti-inflammatory;
general strengthening, etc.

The following procedures are also possible:

blowing (catheterization) of the auditory tube;
physiotherapy - laser therapy, UV, UHF, electrophoresis, etc.

All treatment must be prescribed by a doctor.

Folk remedies

As a supplement to the main one treatment is underway herbal medicine, both internal and external use.

You should not prescribe herbal teas or baths on your own. It is no coincidence that the doctor is developing a treatment complex for a comprehensive and harmonious relief from inflammation. The procedures prescribed by the doctor complement each other. Therefore, your tea based on any plant may be dissonant with the general course of treatment. It is better to consult a doctor.

Herbal medicine can only be a complement to the general course of treatment. To relieve inflammation of the auditory tube and cure the disease from the inside, herbal treatment alone will not be enough. Only a complex prescribed by a doctor.

When people begin to be treated according to “grandmother’s” advice and independently prescribe, for example, warming compresses, they harm themselves. With eustachitis, warming up with heating pads or a warm, damp towel is not advisable; it can only cause harm.

Most popular means traditional medicine with inflammation of the auditory tube:

decoctions of calendula, chamomile, oak bark– internally;
aloe and agave juices, diluted with warm boiled water- externally;
steam from boiled potatoes;
garlic infusion;
onion gruel.

Possible complications

If inflammation of the Eustachian tube is left untreated for a long time or self-medicated, then the disease can develop into otitis media and complications such as permanent complete deafness may arise. Complete failure to address problems inflammatory in nature see a doctor are fraught with dangerous diseases:

meningitis;
facial nerve paresis;
cystic formations;
destruction of hearing organs, etc.

Prevention

So that the immune system is normal and inflammation of the tube does not arise due to internal reasons, then you should conduct healthy image life:

maintain a daily routine;
maintain personal hygiene;
clean the ear openings correctly;
move and play sports.

But if, nevertheless, the infection penetrated the body and began to affect auditory system, then at the first discomfort in the ear area you should consult an ENT doctor. Today, all clinics are equipped with modern high-precision equipment, which will allow all diagnostic and therapeutic manipulations to be carried out without creating pain or discomfort for the patient. Getting rid of the disease at the initial stage of development is simple. Running forms require long-term treatment, sometimes surgery is needed or hearing aid. Taking care of your ear system is the key good hearing and maximum realization of all your desires and aspirations.

Acute eustachitis is diagnosed when an inflammatory process of a catarrhal nature occurs in the Eustachian tube. The disease causes swelling, reducing and sometimes making ventilation impossible. tympanic cavity, which leads to the formation of catarrhal otitis media in the middle ear. The running process easily goes into chronic stage and threatens hearing loss or deterioration.

The auditory, or Eustachian, tube is a canal that connects the pharynx and the space of the middle ear. His physiological function– ensuring the penetration of air into the tympanic cavity from the pharynx to smooth out the discrepancy atmospheric pressure external and internal blood pressure. This creates conditions for the functioning of the sound-conducting apparatus located in the middle ear, from where the sound is amplified and vibration is directed from the eardrum to the inner ear.

The cavity of the tube, approximately 2 mm wide, is lined with mucous epithelium. Pathogenic microflora, penetrating from the nasopharynx into the Eustachian opening, causes inflammation and swelling. The lumen of the canal, even with a slight narrowing of the walls, makes it difficult or completely prevents the penetration of air into the middle ear, which causes a decrease or cessation of aeration. The pressure in the tympanic cavity decreases, causing the eardrum to retract inward.

Violation of stable pressure causes stagnation and leakage of edematous fluid into the space of the tympanic cavity. At first these are protein compounds, later in the transudate the number of leukocyte cells produced during inflammation increases. The process moves to the inner ear and develops otitis media in catarrhal form. The disease can be bothersome on one side or is bilateral in nature (it is also called tubo-otitis or salpingo-otitis).

With prolonged deterioration of the aeration of the tympanic cavity caused by tubo-otitis, mucous inflammation flows into a purulent process, which threatens the transition of the disease to chronic form. This is fraught with the formation of adhesions in the eustachian tube, its stenosis, atrophic processes in the eardrum and its cavity, and also often becomes a factor in the occurrence of hearing loss.

Causes

The provocateurs of the development of eustachitis include:

The movement of inflammation to the pharyngeal mouth of the Eustachian tube is noted when infectious diseases nose and nasopharynx. The causative agents are mainly viruses, staphylococci and streptococci; pneumococci mainly affect children. Less commonly, the agent is a fungus or specific flora, as in syphilis or tuberculosis.
Swelling in allergic rhinitis also acts as a provocateur of the disease.
Tubo-otitis can be caused by inserting tampons into the nose to stop bleeding.
The chronic form of eustachitis develops when an infection (adenoids, tonsillitis, rhinitis or sinusitis) is present in the nasopharynx for a long time.
The likelihood of pathology occurring increases with violation normal movement air in the nose or throat, caused by a deviated nasal septum, as well as the formation of benign formations.

A rare pathology is considered to be a dysfunction of the auditory tube, which provokes the development of aerootitis. When the structure does not have time to respond to sudden change atmospheric pressure, it is compressed and microtraumas form in the middle ear.

Characteristic symptoms

The signs of tubo-otitis in children and adults do not differ; they often appear when respiratory diseases, sometimes at the stage of healing or after suffering an illness. TO specific symptoms Eustachitis includes:

congestion in both ears or one ear;
heaviness in the head;
hearing loss;
tinnitus (ear);
autophony: when the voice resonates, a person hears himself as if from within;
When you tilt your head, there is a sensation in your ear as if liquid is pouring.

Some people experience temporary improvement after yawning or swallowing, when the muscles of the pharynx tighten and the lumen of the auditory tube increases. Young children usually do not lose mobility and do not show significant anxiety during the illness. Infant may turn his head, worry and whine, but this is most likely a sign of otitis media.

Chronic eustachitis is characterized by relapses; during this period, the symptoms correspond to the acute form of the pathology. During remission, a person may complain of slight hearing loss and tinnitus.

Pain and fever are not specific for catarrhal inflammation; these are signs purulent process. The feeling of pain and fullness in the ears is disturbing with eustachitis, which is caused by a pressure difference.

Diagnosis and effective treatment methods

When the first signs of eustachitis appear, you should visit an otolaryngologist, a specialist will conduct an examination and prescribe treatment. When making a diagnosis, the ENT doctor takes into account the patient’s complaints, accompanying illnesses(violated nasal breathing, respiratory infections), also conducts instrumental and laboratory research. As a rule, the following methods are used for tubo-otitis:

Otoscopy – instrumental examination tympanic space- shows retraction of the membrane, shortening of the light cone or its disappearance.
Microotoscopy helps assess the condition of the eardrum.
Audiometry determines hearing loss and the patient's sensitivity to waves of different frequencies.
A subjective test assesses the condition of the ear canal based on the patient’s sensations. To do this, the patient swallows or exhales with pinched nostrils: when pathological changes he hears a squeaking or gurgling sound.
An objective test using audiometry shows the result after blowing; an improvement in indicators means the presence of a disease.

To identify the source of infection, pharyngoscopy and rhinoscopy are performed. When the origin of the edema is allergic in nature, consultation with an allergist is required.

Review of medications

The goal of therapy for eustachitis is to eliminate infection in the nasopharynx, relieve inflammation and swelling, and restore the functions of the eustachian tube. For Get well soon requires complex treatment, use medications at local and system level:

To relieve swelling, vasoconstrictors are prescribed; they are instilled into the nose: Naphazoline, Sanorin, Oxymetazoline, Phenylephrine.
Antiallergenic drugs are used orally: Chloropyramine, Suprastin, Loratadine.
Antibiotics are indicated when the acute form of the disease is caused by bacterial flora: Amoxicillin, Cefuroxime, Doxycycline. At viral infection antiviral medications are used, fungal infection requires treatment with antimycotics.
To boost immunity, the main treatment is supplemented with a complex of vitamins, herbal infusions and immunomodulators.

During a protracted process, to relieve swelling and restore patency, the doctor uses a catheter to inject a solution of adrenaline or hydrocortisone directly into the lumen of the auditory tube.

Well medications combined with physiotherapy. The procedures help destroy microbes, improve blood circulation, have a resolving effect on swelling, and eliminate the consequences of the disease. An otolaryngologist may prescribe:

pneumomassage of the eardrum;
magnetic therapy;
laser therapy.

To expand the lumen of the Eustachian tube, electrical stimulation of the muscles that are responsible for its opening is used.

To speed up the outflow of fluid accumulated in the canal of the auditory tube, it is recommended to chew gum more often. In this case it helps a lot chewing gum. This method is not suitable for a child. You can give your baby an apple or carrot so that when chewing a solid product, he makes more active movements.

Therapeutic measures for tubo-otitis include the elimination of factors influencing the development of the disease. Surgical methods are used if inflammation is caused by impaired nasal breathing due to adenoids or a deviated nasal septum.

Folk recipes

Treatment of eustachitis at home does not prohibit the use folk recipes as part of complex therapy. Herbs and solutions with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties are used:

Aloe juice is diluted in half with boiled water, the composition is instilled into the nose according to the scheme: 4 drops after 4 hours. Cotton swabs soaked in the solution are placed in the ear overnight. The course of treatment is two weeks.
Prepare decoctions of chamomile or calendula: 2 tablespoons of dry raw material, pour 250 g of water, infuse and gargle up to 6 times a day.
At chronic course For tubootitis, the following recipe is suitable for adults: a piece of onion is heated in a water bath, wrapped in a bandage and placed in the ear for half an hour. Daily use for a month helps prevent relapses of the disease.
For cooking garlic oil A medium-sized head of garlic and vegetable oil (100 g) are required. The bulbous plant is crushed, poured with oil, left for 10 days in the dark, then the infusion is filtered and glycerin (2 drops) is added. Oil tampons are placed in the ears.
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent antiseptic that improves blood circulation and relieves swelling. The solution is used to cleanse the ears before procedures or cotton wool is placed in ear canal for half an hour. To avoid skin burns, prepare a mixture of water (a tablespoon) and peroxide (15 drops).

To avoid harm, before using traditional recipes, you should consult an otolaryngologist. This is especially important during pregnancy and treatment of children.

Prognosis and prevention

If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, take medications and perform a set of therapeutic measures, eustachitis can be cured in a few days. Not timely treatment complicates the course of catarrhal tubo-otitis with an adhesive form, which is much more difficult to cope with. Concomitant pathologies that affect the aeration of the auditory tube worsen the prognosis and create the preconditions for the chronic course of the disease, which can lead to hearing impairment. Therefore, to prevent the development of the disease, you should adhere to preventive measures:

do not delay treatment of acute inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx;
To relieve swelling during periods of illness, use countercurrent agents ( vasoconstrictor drops into the nose);
if you have allergies, take desensitizing medications;
eliminate chronic infectious foci in the upper respiratory tract;
strengthen the immune system.

If the functions of the Eustachian tube are impaired, it is important to avoid situations where sudden changes in atmospheric pressure are possible (air travel or diving to depth).

Eustachitis usually acts as a complication of nasopharyngeal diseases infectious nature, because pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the auditory tube and cause inflammation of its mucous membrane. That's why the best means prevention of the pathology in question - prevention and timely treatment of colds.

IN human body perform important role. Deviations from the norm lead to an incorrect perception of the world around us, provoke the development of many chronic diseases, and create difficulties in communication.

Patients often come to the hospital with inflammation of the Eustachian tube (auditory tube). This part of the ear organ becomes inflamed quite often, as it connects the eardrum to the nasopharynx. Inflammation leads to disruption of the full functioning of the hearing organs, which leads to serious consequences, up to hearing loss and complete deafness.

Despite its tiny size, the Eustachian tube connects the cavity with the nasopharynx, primarily providing protective and drainage function. In addition, the channel performs ventilation and acoustic functions.

The auditory tube is a kind of connecting element, thanks to which air exchange occurs, and through which accumulated fluid is removed from the ear cavity. The shell of the canal prevents the penetration of infection by periodically producing mucus that can destroy bacteria and maintains the required air pressure inside the hearing organ.

Reference. The length of the Eustachian tube is no more than 3.5 cm and the thickness is 0.2 cm.

Causes of inflammation of the auditory tube

Malfunction of the canal leads to its compaction. The mucous membranes gradually begin to thicken, and the lumen becomes so small that metabolic processes are disrupted.

Pressure inside auditory organ decreases sharply, part of the secreted fluid is not excreted, stagnates, and all this together leads to the onset of the inflammatory process (eustachitis).

In fact many factors can provoke inflammation of the eustachian tube:

hypothermia or overheating;
development of viral diseases of the ENT organs;
inflammation of the throat or eardrum;
metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalance;
injuries to the head, ear, larynx, nasopharynx;
getting into ear canal foreign body;
chronic diseases of internal organs, including the hearing organs, leading to deformation of the auditory tube;
oncological diseases;
long-term use of medications;
exposure to chemicals;
allergy attack.

Symptoms

The first symptoms usually go unnoticed. A feeling of discomfort and itching in the ear canal raises the first suspicions. It seems that the ear is blocked or there is an accumulation of fluid in it.

The following main symptoms can be identified:

tinnitus when turning the head;
aching or shooting pain in the area of the hearing organ;
decreased hearing sensitivity;
attacks of dizziness, weakness, headaches;
heat;
irritation, itching in the ear canal.

Attention! Since inflammation is most often not recognized at the initial stage of development, but the process develops very rapidly, the symptoms can worsen sharply within a few hours.

The disease can progress to the worst within a few hours. severe form. So doctors distinguish between acute and chronic forms of the disease depending on the symptoms and frequency of manifestation.

Treatment

As the main connecting link, the auditory tube of the middle ear is necessary for normal life body. Any deviation from the norm leads to dire consequences.

Therefore, at the first signs and symptoms of the disease, you need to go to an appointment as soon as possible.

Drug treatment

Treatment of inflammation of the auditory tube with medications is widespread. Depending on the degree of eustachitis, provoking factors and existing chronic diseases, the course of treatment is selected strictly individually. First, he will try to reduce the symptoms of the disease, alleviating the patient’s condition, then he will begin the main treatment.

First, it is necessary to relieve swelling of the nasopharynx, thereby partially restoring the functions of the auditory tube. Prescribed for these purposes vasoconstrictor drops:

Nazivin;
Tizin;
Nazol;
Sanorin.

When, in addition, the channel is clogged with thick liquid to help liquefy it Additionally recommended use:

Sinupreta;
Ambroscola.

When inflammation is caused by an allergic reaction, reception required:

Claritina;
Suprastina;
Cetrina;
Zodaka.

A solution of penicillin in ephedrine can reduce the development of the inflammatory process, as well as the level of bacteria and infections. The substance is instilled into the nasal canals. Nasontex and Avamis are also prescribed.

To fully restore patency, the ear canal is blown out using the Politzer method or a catheter is inserted. Sometimes removal is required palatine tonsils to relieve obstruction.

Additionally, physiotherapy, laser therapy, and pneumomassage of the eardrum are prescribed. Many people are prescribed general health-improving medications to enhance their performance. immune system(immunostimulants, vitamins, multivitamins).

Folk remedies

Widespread traditional methods treatment, but such decisions cannot be made independently. First, you must study the causes and symptoms of inflammation of the auditory tube, after which treatment with traditional recipes can only be carried out with the approval of a specialist.

Otherwise, you can waste time and thereby harm yourself. It is impossible to predict on your own how your body will react to a particular substance. So, for example, if the cause of the problem is an allergy, and in addition you use a harmful component, then the consequences can be critical.

Even doctors confirm that some folk recipes bring quick effect in the treatment of inflammatory diseases

So, among traditional medicines, they are considered highly effective and harmless decoctions medicinal herbs . The products are prepared on the basis of calendula, pharmaceutical chamomile, oak bark.

Prepare it as a tea infusion by pouring a glass of boiling water over a couple of tablespoons of dry powder of crushed herbs. When the decoction is infused, but not completely cooled, it is dripped into the ear and nostril on the side where the inflammation occurred.

Several folk recipes for relieving inflammation:

Have a good effect fresh juices many plants. Juice of yarrow, Kalanchoe, aloe is instilled into the ear and nostril a couple of drops. Diluted in small quantities warm water, the liquid is recommended for use in washing the ears and nose.
At the initial manifestations of a cold, it is advised to “breathe” over boiled potatoes “in their jackets”.
Garlic clove is crushed and poured vegetable oil, leaving for a couple of weeks in a dark place. Use as ear drops.

Prevention

Trying to prevent inflammation of the auditory tube, you need to pay a lot of attention to your body:

If you have the slightest suspicion that there is something wrong with your ear, do not diagnose it yourself. Perhaps you do not have inflammation, but a gaping auditory tube - a completely different serious pathology.

Do not delay, but immediately go to. It’s naive to believe that it “will go away on its own.” Such processes need to be treated for a long time, paying attention to the problem. Pathology may have different character, and the result of neglect is similar - hearing loss or complete deafness.

Tubootitis, or eustachitis, is an inflammation of the auditory or Eustachian tube. When it first occurs, the pathology occurs in an acute form. Lack of treatment or its untimely initiation leads to the disease becoming chronic. The disease is characterized by impaired ventilation in the middle ear area, which inevitably entails rapid deterioration of hearing.

Inflammation in the area of the auditory eustachian tube in medicine is often considered as initial stage pathology such as catarrhal otitis media. There is an inextricable connection between eustachitis and inflammation in the area of the tympanic cavity, so doctors use two concepts that combine both of these diseases: tubootitis and salpingootitis.

Features of inflammation of the Eustachian tube

The cause of the disease is usually pathological process, passed from the nasopharynx to the ear area.

Mainly predecessor of this disease becomes sharp or chronic rhinitis, sore throat, pharyngitis. When it first appears, inflammation is called acute.

If it is not cured completely or not treated at all, it becomes chronic and bothers the person from time to time.

It should be noted that any of the forms of eustachitis is accompanied by high risk development of otitis media.

Tube obstruction often occurs when the nasopharyngeal orifice is closed, caused by diseases such as adenoids, choanal polyps, or hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate.

Main causes of inflammation

It was already mentioned above that doctors often consider eustachitis as the initial stage of catarrhal otitis.

However, this disease can cause regular moderate purulent and adhesive otitis media, resulting in hearing loss.

Tubootitis can also occur due to the presence in the body chronic pathology, and due to anatomical disorders, which are quite common among ENT organs.

The latter include, for example, rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, polyps, adenoids, sinusitis, deviated septum in the nose, etc.

Inflammation is caused by pathogenic microflora– staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci and similar microorganisms. They are the ones who provoke the pathological process in the ear.

However, such a phenomenon as an allergic reaction cannot be excluded. Inflammation caused by an abnormal reaction of the body in medicine is, accordingly, called allergic eustachitis.

Influenced negative factors inflammation occurs, infectious or allergic, which is accompanied by swelling and thickening over the entire surface area of the mucosa. This process leads to disruption of the normal patency of the Eustachian tube and, of course, its ventilation worsens.

The eardrum collapses and then retracts into the tympanic cavity due to a decrease in pressure in the tube - autophony occurs - ear congestion.

At the same time, the process of stenosis develops in this area, the walls of the auditory tube stick together, and atrophic and sclerotic metamorphoses occur in the tympanic cavity and membrane. If you do not consult a specialist and start treatment, inflammation leads to persistent hearing loss or complete hearing loss.

Symptoms of acute inflammation of the auditory tube

This form most often develops against the background of influenza or seasonal catarrh, localized in the upper respiratory tract.

Most pronounced signs The resulting pathology is as follows:

Congestion in one ear or two at once;
Resonance of one’s own voice – autophony, as well as noises;
Feeling of heaviness in the head on the affected side;
A sensation of iridescent fluid in the ear, which occurs when turning the head or tilting it.

During an acute process, the patient’s health remains stable, the temperature does not exceed normal levels, and there is no pain.

This form of the disease most often occurs when an infection occurs against the background of weakened immunity in the upper respiratory tract. If treatment is absent or does not have the expected effect, the pathology becomes chronic, difficult even for the most strong therapy and leading to hearing impairment. In a timely manner Taken measures allow you to get rid of the disease and its unpleasant symptoms in just a few days, restore the patency of the pipe and hearing.

Symptoms of the chronic form of the disease

In this case, atrophic and sclerotic changes occur in the mucous membrane of the eardrum and its cavity.

In the chronic course of the inflammatory process, the following signs are observed:

Cloudiness and deformation of the eardrum;
Narrowing of the auditory tube;
Persistent hearing impairment;
Limited redness in certain areas;
Retraction of the eardrum into the tympanic cavity.

The listed symptoms of the chronic form of the disease can only be seen by a specialist, that is, an otolaryngologist.

This pathology is accompanied by a decrease in the lumen of the auditory tube, which entails deformation of the eardrum and its further retraction. The permeability is impaired, the walls of the pipe begin to stick together. It is worth noting that the symptoms are persistent.

Inflammation of the auditory tube in childhood

Ear diseases in children are quite common due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of this area. In children, the ear canal is shortened and straighter than in adults. For this reason, they are susceptible to various ear diseases, including tubo-otitis.

The symptoms of pathology in children are practically no different from those inherent in adults:

Presence of noise;
Ear congestion;
Poor hearing;
Temporary improvement in hearing when coughing, sneezing, yawning.

Despite the fact that in children, as a rule, the disease is more severe than in adults, the temperature remains normal and there is no pain.

Eustachitis is a disease of the Eustachian tube, which results in impaired ventilation in the middle ear. The pathology is directly related to the problems of the eardrum and occurs as a result of the inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, which manifests itself against the background of pharyngitis, runny nose and adenoids.

When swelling of the mucous membranes begins, the auditory tube narrows and may even become completely blocked, which leads to negative pressure that causes the eardrum to retract. As a result, short-term congestion appears in the ear, the level of hearing decreases, and although short-term, but painful sensations, noise. In very young children, bilateral eustachitis can also develop.

What it is?

Eustachitis is a widespread ear disease. It occurs as a result of inflammation of the eustachian passage - the middle ear. It is necessary for a person to catch sounds well. Its size is only 2 mm, so any inflammation provokes its overlap and hearing problems. Thus, with a prolonged inflammatory process, otitis media develops. It can appear at any age. As a rule, these are the consequences past illness infectious nature.

General information

The Eustachian tube is a canal whose diameter does not exceed 2 mm. The canal connects the tympanic cavity and the nasopharynx and serves to equalize atmospheric pressure and pressure inside the ear. This provides normal work sound-conducting apparatus.

Since the size of the auditory tube is very small, even slight swelling of the mucous membrane lining the Eustachian tube leads to disruption of the canal and the development of eustachitis. Stopping the flow of air from the pharynx into the middle ear cavity contributes to the development of inflammation that affects the auditory tube and middle ear.

According to the nature of the course, the inflammatory process can be acute and chronic; according to the localization of inflammation, unilateral and bilateral eustachitis is distinguished.

Causes

The disease in question can arise from the most various reasons, but most often doctors diagnose eustachitis as a complication of certain pathologies:

neoplasms of the nasopharyngeal cavity;
hypertrophy of the nasal concha;
curvature of the nasal septum.
fungal infection - the cause of eustachitis can be the contact of pathogens of tuberculosis, chlamydia, syphilis and other nonspecific microflora on the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube;
acute respiratory viral infection – viruses and pathogenic bacteria penetrate from the nasopharynx into the auditory tube and beyond;
allergic reactions - often manifests against the background allergic rhinitis(runny nose) and polyposis;
pathologies of the nasopharynx that occur in a chronic form - for example, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, adenoiditis, sinusitis;

In addition to clearly defined reasons for the development of tubo-otitis, doctors also identify several predisposing factors:

improper cleansing of nasal cavities from mucus during persistent runny nose when a person begins to blow his nose with both nasal passages at the same time;
long-term coughing and sneezing - with these actions, the pressure in the tympanic cavity increases sharply, the ventilation of the auditory tube worsens;
low level of immunity in chronic diseases - for example, with diabetes mellitus or ordinary vitamin deficiency.

IN medical practice It happened that eustachitis was diagnosed, the development of which was caused by sudden changes in atmospheric pressure - the entrance to the auditory tube is compressed, which leads to damage to the structures of the middle ear.

Development mechanism

Complete or partial disruption of the patency of the auditory tube during eustachitis leads to a reduced flow of air into the tympanic cavity or to a complete cessation of its ventilation. In this case, the air remaining in the tympanic cavity is gradually sucked in, the pressure in it decreases, which is manifested by the retraction of the eardrum.

Low pressure leads to the leakage of transudate containing protein and fibrin into the tympanic cavity, and in more late stages lymphocytes and neutrophils - cells involved in inflammatory reactions. Developing catarrhal form otitis media.

Long-term impairment of ventilation of the tympanic cavity caused by eustachitis, especially in persons with weakened immune systems, can cause the transition of catarrhal inflammation to purulent inflammation, as well as the development adhesive process with the occurrence of adhesive otitis media.

Symptoms of eustachitis

IN general case the patient may complain of:

feeling of stuffiness and noise (crackling) in the ear;
hearing impairment;
autophony (increased perception of one's own voice);
sensation of fluid transfusion in the ear;
frequent acute purulent otitis media.

Retraction of the tympanic membrane, shortening or complete disappearance of the light reflex, and protrusion of the short process of the malleus are observed. The mobility of the eardrum is limited. With the restoration of the function of the auditory tube, the symptoms of acute tubo-otitis gradually disappear.

Acute form

The acute form of the disease can go away on its own without treatment, but this does not mean that you should abandon it and wait until eustachitis goes away on its own. Symptoms of the disease can range from normal vasoconstrictor drops or disappear when chewed or swallowed.

Without treatment, the disease is fraught with serious complications or becoming chronic. Any inflammatory processes in the immediate areas of the brain are extremely undesirable.

Chronic form

Exacerbation of chronic eustachitis differs slightly in symptoms from acute form disease, the only obvious thing that is noticeable is an increasing loss of hearing acuity.

IN in rare cases may appear headache And slight fever. Ear pain, dizziness and high temperature may appear if otitis media occurs against the background of eustachitis.

At the same time, after examining a doctor, you can know exactly the form of the disease - chronic eustachitis gives specific signs. These include retraction of the eardrum, the appearance of redness and narrowing of the lumen of the auditory tube.

Diagnostics

In the case of tubo-otitis, the medical history is characterized by the presence of one or more of the following points (causes of tubo-otitis):

ARVI, measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, diphtheria;
inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (rhinitis, nasopharyngitis);
incorrect blowing of the nose (both halves of the nose at once);
adenoids (in children);
deviated nasal septum;
polyps.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of anamnesis, clinical picture, results of otoscopy, audiometry, as well as data from studies of the function of the auditory tube. For this purpose they create high blood pressure air in the area of the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube and control its passage into the tympanic cavity. The patient himself can increase the pressure by making frequent swallowing movements or exhaling sharply through the nose with the wings of the nose pressed against the nasal septum (Valsalva experience).

It is possible to artificially increase pressure when blowing the ear with a Politzer balloon. Also, doctors must identify what type of tubo-otitis is, infectious or allergenic. To do this, nasal swabs are taken, and after two weeks the doctor identifies the cause of the disease. It is worth noting that allergenic tubo-otitis takes longer to cure than infectious

Treatment of eustachitis

Most people who are faced with this disease do not know how to treat eustachitis at home. Therapeutic measures for eustachitis are focused on relieving swelling, sanitizing the nasopharynx, stopping allergic reaction or inflammation. For eustachitis, to reduce swelling of the auditory tube, antihistamines for oral administration (suprastin, claritin, desloratadine) and vasoconstrictor nasal drops (nazol, nazivin, tizin, vibrocil, sanorin).

To improve the patency of the auditory tube, it is necessary to catheterize it, followed by the administration of a solution of adrenaline or hydrocartisone. With eustachitis good effect gives pneumomassage of the eardrum. In case of formation of transudate of the tympanic cavity, the introduction of proteolytic enzymes is used to liquefy it. The manipulation itself is carried out through the auditory tube by catheterization.
IN acute period Eustachitis is not recommended to carry out Politzer blowing. The fact is that infected mucus can enter the middle ear cavity from the pharynx through the auditory tube. Complex treatment Eustachitis includes various physiotherapeutic techniques - microwave therapy, UHF, laser therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, ultraviolet irradiation.

During the treatment of eustachitis in mandatory the causes of its occurrence must be eliminated. If necessary, adenoid removal, systemic antibiotic therapy, and benign tumor throat and nose, etc.

Prevention

Eustachitis develops against the background of decreased immunity, chronic infections respiratory tract, oral cavity. The patient must be careful not to exhale sharply through the nose or forcefully blow his nose.

Untreated caries, chronic diseases of the pharynx and oral cavity can become provoking factors for inflammation of the auditory tube. Regular examination by the dentist and treatment of caries reduces the risk of infection. The patient should avoid air travel and deep-sea diving.

Forecast

Eustachite lends itself drug treatment. A timely visit to an ENT doctor guarantees improved hearing. Go to chronic phase creates a permanent focus of infection, health threatening middle ear. Untreated eustachitis leads to deafness.