The middle ear is just behind the eardrum and contains the delicate bones that aid hearing. It is also defined as the air-filled space between the eardrum and the inner ear. These bones or ossicles are the hammer (malleus), anvil (incus), and stirrup (stapes). These bones are responsible for transmitting sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. Ear infections are generally seen in this section. In many people, otitis media recurs. It is thought that this may be due to genetic causes. However, if left untreated in any way, otitis media reduces the quality of life of the person. In order not to be exposed to this situation, the disease should be taken seriously. Of course, in order to take the disease seriously, it is necessary to know the otitis media, its symptoms and causes well.
What is Middle Ear Inflammation?
Otitis media; Medically, otitis or middle ear infection is a disease that can be seen in individuals of all genders and ages. However, it is more likely to occur in infants between 6 and 24 months of age compared to other ages. After the age of 5, the incidence of inflammation decreases. In most cases, it is expected that the disease will go away on its own, but this is not always possible. As the disease progresses, it causes pain in the ear and these pains can sometimes become unbearable. Infants younger than 24 months require antibiotics for treatment.
Besides the transition to modern life, the possibility of middle ear infections in adults is gradually decreasing due to easier access to water. Because regular cleaning of the ear prevents the formation of inflammation. On the other hand, in infants, inflammation remains common due to the fact that the organs are more delicate and cleaning is not complete. However, it is a known fact that this rate is decreasing day by day.
What are the Symptoms of Middle Ear Inflammation?
Symptoms of middle ear infection are parallel in all patients. There is only the possibility of being more severe or mild depending on the condition of the inflammation.
- Ear pain occurs quite prominently in older children and adults. Babies who can't speak yet have behaviors such as ear scratching and ear pulling. Because of the pain, babies cry more than usual. They may cry and have trouble sleeping.
- There may be a loss of appetite in bottle fed babies. As the baby swallows the liquid, the pressure in the middle ear changes and feels pain and soreness. As a result, they may avoid consuming food.
- Pain due to inflammation creates an irritable mood in all patients.
- Pain or pain occurs with the pressure change in the middle ear when lying down to sleep or rest.
- There is a possibility of fever with infection.
- There may be more yellow, brown or white fluid leaking from the ear than usual. This may result from rupture of the eardrum and should be taken seriously.
What are the Causes of Middle Ear Inflammation?
Otitis media is caused by bacteria or viruses. It often occurs after an ear infection, cold, or other respiratory infection. Bacteria or viruses pass through the Eustachian tube into the middle ear. This tube is also a passageway that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. Viruses or bacteria can cause swelling of the Eustachian tube. This swelling causes the eustachian tube to become blocked. The ear, which normally cleans itself due to clogging, cannot provide this and dirt accumulates there. Accumulated dirt creates a habitat for viruses or bacteria. The disease also occurs due to inflammation in the middle ear. Otitis media is more common in children because the Eustachian tube is shorter and less curved. For this reason, inflammation is easier in children after diseases such as colds. Some allergies and exposure to heavy cigarette smoke can also lead to otitis media.
There are also two small pads called adenoids, which play a role in immune system activity and are located in the posterior high tissue of the nose. The adenoids are close to the Eustachian tubes and tend to swell due to the disruption of the immune balance. In such cases, the eustachian tube is blocked and the possibility of inflammation increases. Feeding by bottle-fed babies while lying down triggers inflammation. clar. In seasonal transitions, it is more likely to occur due to respiratory tract. Due to the disease called cleft palate, the Eustachian tube becomes difficult to clean itself, which leads to inflammation. Although it does not concern our country, middle ear inflammation is quite common in the natives of the state of Alaska in the USA due to a hereditary problem.
How to Diagnose Middle Ear Inflammation?
To diagnose middle ear inflammation An ENT specialist should be seen. The doctor will first look for symptoms in the patient. It is normal for him to ask some questions for this. An otoscope, a lighted instrument, is most likely used to look at the ear, nose, and throat passages. Breathing is also done with the help of a stethoscope.
The pneumatic otoscope is the only specialized medical tool a doctor may need to diagnose an ear infection. With the help of this instrument, the patient's ear is visualized and it is understood whether there is fluid behind the eardrum. With the help of a pneumatic otoscope, air is given slightly against the eardrum. In individuals without inflammation, the eardrum will move with this air. However, in patients with otitis media, no or very little movement is observed in the eardrum due to the accumulated fluid. Often these conditions are sufficient for diagnosis. With another test, tympanometry, it is diagnosed whether there is fluid in the middle ear. Again with this test, air pressure is used.
It is possible to test for hearing loss if the doctor needs it. This hearing test is performed by audiologists. If necessary, an ENT specialist may refer the patient to an audiologist and request a test.
What are the Treatment Methods for Middle Ear Inflammation?
Treatment of otitis media varies according to age and the condition of the infection. If the symptoms are mild and there is no fever, the inflammation can be expected to heal on its own. If waiting does not provide any improvement or if the disease has progressed, some medications should be used. The main ones are antibiotics. If there is an infection caused by bacteria, the patient is treated with antibiotics. Fever is observed before antibiotics are prescribed to infants. However, the baby does not recover without antibiotics. If it does not enter the process, treatment is started. Regardless of the age of the patients, the drug should be used in the determined dose. Otherwise, side effects of drugs may occur.
With the use of antibiotics, the relief of inflammation reduces pain. At this point, many patients tend to discontinue their drug use. However, the drug should not be discontinued before the dose prescribed by the doctor. Otherwise, bigger problems may arise in the future. If an injury or perforation has occurred in the eardrum due to inflammation of the middle ear, some drops may also be prescribed with antibiotics. These drops allow the eardrum to repair itself. The condition of the infection can cause severe pain and high fever. Pain relievers or antipyretics may be prescribed to improve the patient's condition. Again, these drugs should be used in the dose prescribed by the doctor. Some patients turn to aspirin use other than what is prescribed. However, it is dangerous to use drugs other than the doctor's prescription. The use of aspirin, especially in infants, can cause serious problems.
Decongestant drugs can be recommended to prevent swelling and edema in the Eustachian tube and upper respiratory tract mucosa. In addition, there are vaccines developed against some microorganisms that can cause inflammation. In some patients, the use of vaccines may also be recommended. In patients for whom drug treatment does not work, a surgical intervention called myringotomy can be applied. This surgery is performed under general anesthesia and a hole is made in the eardrum and a tube is inserted here. Thus, the fluid that accumulates and causes continuous infection is discharged.
If you suspect a middle ear infection, you should start your treatment as soon as possible. Otherwise, you should remember that the middle ear infection will progress and the treatment process will be prolonged.
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