How long otitis can remain asymptomatic. What is the risk of otitis: consequences and complications

• Complications after otitis in adults
• Complications after otitis in children
• Is the prognosis favorable?

Hearing impairment or its complete loss are complications of otitis, but these are not all the problems that can occur in a person who did not start treatment of this disease in time or neglected it.

Otitis itself is a complication of colds.  More often it affects children, but adults also get sick of it. Since the treatment began to use antibiotic therapy, otitis media has been perfectly cured. But he has a tendency to repeat.

This disease is of two types:

• otitis media - with the accumulation of purulent fluid in the middle cavity of the ear;
• external otitis  - the infection develops in the outer part of the ear.

Complications after otitis in adults

Many people consider otitis media to be a harmless disease that brings temporary discomfort. Of course, the patient is in pain, but it all passes quickly. In fact, this disease is not for everyone is so harmless that it does not deserve attention.

If a person has good health, then the consequences of the disease are not terrible for him. And people with a weakened immune system must necessarily treat otitis media, since they are potential victims of complications. It is possible that antibiotics will not be prescribed to such patients, but advised to be treated. folk methods. But everything should happen under the supervision of a doctor and his appointments.

Complications of otitis media in adults are the following health problems:

• mastoiditis;
• intracranial abscess;
• paralysis facial nerve;
• encephalocele;
• meningitis;
• hearing loss;
• hearing loss (usually temporary).

Mastoiditis - purulent inflammation of the mastoid process of the temporal bone. It is quite rare since antibiotics were discovered. Until that time, it was often diagnosed as a complication after otitis and often led to death. Many doctors tend to think that this is a continuation of acute otitis. Symptoms of mastoiditis are similar to symptoms. purulent otitisonly longer. Most often, the doctor makes a diagnosis during the examination of the patient, and laboratory tests only confirm it. Treatment is carried out and surgical, and therapeutic, but not necessarily in the hospital.

Intracranial abscess - penetration and accumulation of pus in the medulla. Pus appears from nearby organs. Diagnosed using laboratory and instrumental methods. Inpatient treatment.

Facial nerve palsy - weakness of the facial muscles due to lesion of the facial nerve. As a rule, the violation affects only one part of the face. In this case, the patient's smile is twisted, and the eye may not fully open.

Encephalocele - cranial hernia.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain. Dangerous disease. The patient should immediately consult a doctor.

Otitis is a disease that occurs for at least a month. 2-3 days after the start of treatment, the pain in the ear can ease or disappear completely. The patient calms down and can stop the healing process. And this can not be done. There may be sad consequences.

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Complications after otitis in children

Otitis treatment in children is sometimes delayed for several weeks. Not all parents strictly follow the instructions of the doctor. Some may interrupt treatment as soon as the pain in the small ears subsides. Such a situation is also possible when the mother of the baby, having listened to the advice of her friends, begins to treat the child on her own. It happens that the grandmother will prepare some kind of miracle compress and begins to apply it to his grandson's aching ears. Don't do anything about it. Otitis is treated under the supervision of a physician. This is the only way to avoid complications that can lead to sad consequences.

The good news is that these complications are not as common, but they still exist. It can be:

1. Hearing loss and hearing loss. Most often, these phenomena do not last long. But there are cases when the hearing is not restored and even lost completely. It all depends on the form and severity of the underlying disease - otitis. Parents need to remember that any hearing impairment affects the formation of a child’s speech and his intellectual development.
2. Due to accumulated pus and pressure on the eardrum, a breakthrough occurs in it. The hole left after this requires some time for its healing (at least two weeks).
3. Untreated otitis media in children brings the disease to a chronic form. And it is permanent purulent discharge  from the auditory canal. This, as a rule, leads to a significant decrease in hearing in a child.
4. Cholesteatoma - the proliferation of a special tissue in the ear area behind the eardrum. It is fraught with the fact that its rapid growth leads to the closure of the ear canal and, as a result, to deterioration.
5. The inflammatory process passes to the bone tissue, which leads to a disease of the mastoid process of the temporal region.
6. Meningitis (as in adults).

In addition, childhood complications can be expressed in paralysis of the facial nerve and in intracranial complications. Otitis is not terrible in itself, but the complications after it are threatening.

Parents need constant monitoring of the condition of the child who has had otitis. This disease tends to recur. And y chronic otitis  periods of calm are replaced by periods of exacerbation.

If the child's hearing is disturbed, it will make it more difficult for him to communicate with others. He may withdraw, which is fraught with autism. There may be new problems.

Such a disease as otitis is dangerous not so much by itself, as by the various consequences that may arise as a result of ignoring the need for treatment or failure to follow the doctor’s prescriptions. Also, quite often they develop against the background of excessive hobbies of traditional medicine.

Negative effects can develop equally, both in adults and children. In order to realize the full responsibility of the need to visit a specialist, we will talk about all sorts of complications after otitis and the characteristics of their manifestation in childhood and adulthood.

Malignant processes

The location of cholesteatoma in the human ear

Malignant external otitis  - perhaps the rarest and most dangerous complication  otitis externa, first discovered in 1838.

At that time, the illness was characterized by a very aggressive course, an unfavorable prognosis and a high degree of mortality among the diseased. With the opening effective antibiotics  cure projections have become more favorable.

Terrible name of the disease, even though he   has nothing to do with oncology, remains to this day and can still be the cause of severe health effects. As striking outdoor auditory canalas well as the temporal bone.

  - A pathology that develops as a result of a frivolous attitude to inflammatory processes in the organs of hearing. In most cases, due to chronic suppurative otitis media. Has pronounced symptoms and mainly requires surgical intervention.

Bone Inflammations: Mastoiditis and Petrositis

Characteristic features of mastoiditis

Mastoiditis  develops as a complication of otitis and is characterized by a mass of specific symptoms.

It affects the mucous membrane and bone tissue of the mastoid process of the temporal bone and has the following developmental stages:

• exudative  - The inflammatory process affects the membrane and periosteum of the mastoid cells. When this occurs, a significant thickening of the mucous;
• destructive  - The process of destruction of bone tissue and necrosis.

Important!  Without the necessary and timely treatment, the destructive process of bone tissue can reach the dura mater of the brain and provoke intracranial complications.

Petrosit (osteomyelitis)  - inflammation of the top of the pyramid of the temporal bone. As a rule, it can develop along with acute otitis media or 3-4 days after mastoiditis. Much less likely to develop as a complication of chronic otitis.

Meningitis

Symptoms of meningitis

Meningitis  - one of the most dangerous possible consequences of otitis.

Under certain conditions, pathogenic microflora spreading during the inflammatory process of the ear can reach the lining of the brain and cause inflammatory processes in it.

If you do not promptly consult a doctor, this pathology can be fatal.

Important!  In the case of meningitis, the expense of the patient’s life goes to the clock.

Therefore, in the manifestation of symptoms indicating meningitis, the patient should immediately call an ambulance.

Brain abscess

Brain abscess characterized by specific symptoms

Speaking about the various complications of otitis, it is worth to separately highlight brain abscess.

This pathology is a pathological process in which a limited focus of purulent inflammation forms in the cranial cavity.

This consequence of the disease is no less dangerous than meningitis and is characterized by numerous characteristic symptoms:

1. Fever.
2. Acute headache.
3. Epileptic seizures.
4. Swelling of the brain.

Other complications

It looks like neuritis of the facial nerve

Neuritis of the facial nerve  - can also be a consequence of otitis.

Pathology is characterized by inflammatory lesion of the nerve, which leads to a violation of the innervation of the facial muscles of a certain part of the face.

In the muscles affected by inflammation, weakness develops, which is the cause of paresis or paralysis of facial movements and manifestations of severe asymmetry of the face.

Otogenic sepsis  - One of the possible negative consequences of this disease, in which pathogenic microorganisms constantly or periodically enter the blood from a nidus of purulent inflammation in the middle ear. The course of this disease is very severe and is characterized by very specific symptoms.

Complications of otitis media in children

The trouble is that in childhood, namely in the early, sometimes it is very difficult. From the moment of occurrence of inflammation in a baby to the moment of its determination by parents, it may take some time, which in this case is precious.

Since the inflammation of the ears in childhood develops rapidly, it is possible the development of various negative consequences for the children's body.

Another problem of the occurrence of consequences is the failure of the parents to follow the instructions of the doctor. Namely, the rejection of drugs, as soon as the small ears subside pain.

So many parents believe that they protect their children from the harmful effects of pharmaceuticals, while completely forgetting that otitis does not cure, and he will return again, and possibly with complications. And then with the help of this list of medicines can not cope.

To the most common possible complications  Otitis in children include the following types:

•   and hearing loss  - usually this phenomenon does not last long. However, there are cases, the hearing is not restored or even lost completely. As medical practice shows, it is otitis that is a common factor that causes hearing loss in children;
• with relapses  - requires frequent repetition of treatment, while the purulent masses in the ear periodically accumulate, then go away;
• meningitis  - as well as in adults, it requires emergency hospitalization and treatment;
• mastoiditis  - As previously noted, inflammation of the mastoid process. In this case, the child requires surgery to avoid blood poisoning.

In order to protect the child from the effects of the disease, parents must maintain constant vigilant control. This will protect the baby who suffered otitis media.

Only parents can save the child from the possible consequences of otitis

Inflammation of the ear can be treated quite well in children and adults, but subject to all the rules. This means that complications will not have the slightest possibility of harm to the patient's health.

Reference.  Otitis in the non-running stage is cured in 100% of cases.

From the above, only one conclusion can be made: at the cost of neglect of the disease, in many cases it can be your own health or even life.

We take care of ourselves and our health, because it is much easier to prevent than to get tired from a long and complicated treatment.

Otitis is one of the most common otolaryngological diseases resulting from ear inflammation. Late diagnosis and therapy ear pathology  provokes complications. The most serious consequences of otitis occur during the development inflammatory processes  in the middle ear and the labyrinth.

The cavities of the inner and middle ear are separated from the environment by the eardrum, which prevents the penetration of the pathogenic flora. Infection most often occurs in a tubular way, i.e. through the Eustachian tube, which connects the nasopharynx with the tympanic cavity in the middle ear. Rapidly developing catarrhal processes lead to the destruction of epithelial and bone tissue, which is fraught with complications.

  Statistics

What is dangerous otitis? In the analysis of more than a hundred cases of development of ear pathology requiring surgical intervention, the specialists recorded the frequency of serious complications:

• perforation (perforation) of the ear membrane - 47%;
• cholesteatoma (benign neoplasm) - 36%;
• mastoiditis (defeat of the mastoid process) - 10%;
• meringitis (degenerative changes in the ear membrane) - 7%.

The most common consequence of the ENT disease is a violation of the integrity eardrum. Membrane perforation is among the simplest and reversible complications, but only in the case of proper and timely treatment. In the chronic course of the inflammatory process, persistent perforation is observed, which is fraught with the occurrence of conductive hearing loss, i.e. hearing loss.

There is at least 10 more severe complications  otitis media, many of which lead not only to the development of auditory dysfunction, but also disability or death. That is why the detection of alarming symptoms should seek help from the otolaryngologist.

Cholesteatoma is a cyst-like neoplasm in the ear cavity that occurs when otorrhea, i.e. discharge from the ear of hemorrhagic or purulent contents.

The tumor consists of epithelial cells, which eventually begin to secrete fluid secretion, destroying soft and bone tissue. The destruction of the auditory ossicles responsible for carrying out the sound signals causes a decrease in hearing.

Overgrowth of the tumor leads to damage to the ear maze, resulting in damage semicircular canalsresponsible for spatial orientation. Spontaneous rupture of cystic neoplasms leads to the evacuation of pathogenic exudate, which is fraught with generalization of inflammatory processes. When cholesteatoma rupture, the following complications of otitis media occur in adults:

• meningitis;
• brain abscess;
• otogenic sepsis;
• paresis of the facial nerve;
• mastoiditis.

Important! Cholesteatoma almost not amenable to conservative treatment. When new growths are found in the ear, surgery is required.

Otogenic sepsis is called generalization of inflammatory processes in which the lesions are located in the ear cavity. Pathology occurs as a complication of labyrinthitis, external or secondary purulent otitis. Due to a decrease in the reactivity of the organism, the aggressive pathogenic flora prevails over immunity, as a result of which an intensive spread of infection in the blood occurs.

Often the disease-causing flora spreads through the venous sinuses located inside the skull. Sigmoid and stony sinuses are connected to the borders of the maze and middle ear. In the presence of catarrhal or purulent processes, large veins are damaged, as a result of which phlebitis develops.

The development of phlebitis is fraught with the formation of blood clots in the vessels, which further leads to tissue necrosis and the development of gangrene.

The main symptom of sepsis is hyperthermia, characterized by a sharp increase in temperature. When the mechanism of thermoregulation is triggered, strong perspiration occurs, which very quickly leads to dehydration. At occurrence of characteristic signs immediate hospitalization of the patient with the subsequent surgical and medical treatment is required.

  Mastoiditis

Mastoiditis is called inflammation of the antrum and cellular structures, which are located behind pinna  (mastoid). The penetration of the infection into the porous structure of the bone leads to its softening and the development of osteomyelitis. As a rule, provocateurs of pathological changes in the bone tissue are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, anaerobic microbes, mycobacteria and aerobic bacilli.

The following clinical manifestations most often indicate the development of complications after otitis in adults:

• hyperthermia;
• swelling behind the ear;
• shooting pains in the ear;
• hearing loss;
• noise in ears.

Severe illness requires urgent medical intervention. In the early stages of the development of pathology, therapy is carried out with the help of antibiotics. Components however antibacterial drugs hard to penetrate the cavernous structures of the mastoid process. To prevent abscess Bezolda, characterized by the formation of large abscesses under the neck muscles, carry out a sanitizing operation. This allows you to clean the cells of the bone process from purulent foci.

  Paresis of the facial nerve

Among the most terrible consequences of otitis in adults include paresis of the facial nerve, in which there is impotence of mimic muscles. The development of neuropathology is characterized by contractures of muscle tissue. This is manifested in the inability to close the right or left eye, smile or speak clearly.

Late therapy may cause muscle atrophy. In this case, even after regeneration of the inflamed nerves, absolute restoration of facial movements is impossible.

Inflammatory processes in the ear cavity lead to the defeat of the processes of the facial nerve, which are located in the pyramid of the temporal bone, stapes, mastoid bone  etc. Destruction of the nerve sheath provokes severe pain, which radiate to the teeth, temple, neck, neck and other parts of the body.

In the transition from otitis media to the chronic form, the development of persistent conductive hearing loss, which occurs as a result of mechanical impairment of the sound-conducting function of the auditory analyzer, is possible.   Tinnitus after otitis is due to the impossibility of unimpeded passage of the sound signal through the ear canal, ear membrane and auditory ossicles.

Sound barriers most often appear at the level of the eardrum, in which large perforated holes are formed. This helps to reduce its working area and, consequently, reduce hearing acuity. Pathologies may appear at the level of the auditory ossicles. With purulent inflammation  Fibrin filaments are formed in the tympanic cavity, which during solidification limits the amplitude of oscillations of the auditory ossicles.

Conservative treatment of deafness after otitis is ineffective. Full immobilization of the stirrup on the ear membrane can be eliminated only during stapedectomy.

Surgical intervention prevents further mineralization of the stirrup, which leads to the regeneration of elastic tissues and the restoration of its sound-conducting function.

  Prevention of complications

The first step towards preventing serious complications is an adequate and timely response to the onset of anxiety symptoms. It should be understood that even SARS and allergies can cause swelling of the Eustachian tube, which will lead to a violation of its drainage function. As a result, serous effusions will begin to accumulate in the ear cavity, leading to the development of an ENT disease.

You can not postpone the visit to the otolaryngologist in the presence of the following symptoms:

• ear congestion;
• shooting pains in the ear;
• hearing impairment;
• temperature rise;
• serous or purulent discharge from the ear canal.

If you start the course of treatment in time, it is possible to stop local and general manifestations of otitis within a week.

The consequences of otitis, occurring in adults and children, are a greater threat to health than the disease itself. With timely treatment and a favorable outcome, they do not pose a particular danger and pass independently as the body recovers. In case of violation of the medium therapy, the risks of the development of irreversible destructive processes increase. It is important to know what can threaten similar situation  and how to avoid problems.

Causes and further risks

Most often in adults there. Among all possible reasons  should highlight infectious diseases. The ingestion of bacteria, tissue swelling and impaired immune protection are the first consequences of a cold. It is because of them and there is a complication in the ears, namely their inflammation.

In order to minimize the threat to the health of the hearing organs, it is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible, agreed with the doctor. Also, the patient is faced with the task of removing the root cause itself. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the harm they do to themselves while ignoring these recommendations.

The situation is aggravated by such a popular self-medication, and this applies as an arbitrary reception drugsand the use of folk techniques.

As a result, the following consequences may occur:

• violation;
• the spread of infection to a healthy organ;
• the transition of the disease to the chronic form;
• distribution of destructive processes to adjacent organs and tissues.

Each situation should be considered in more detail.

Impaired ear function and hearing loss

The first thing that can be dangerous is ear otitis - a violation of its natural functions. There are three main ear functions:

• Protective.The epithelium, which covers the inner space of the middle ear, is capable of performing a bactericidal function, provided that there is sufficient oxygen supply to the tissues and control of partial pressure.
• Ventilation.  At occurrence of tissue edema, air exchange in the organ cavity becomes difficult.
• Drainage. Exudate outflow is disturbed, as a result of which conditions are created that are optimally suitable for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora.

Similar complications in otitis media occur in the course of the disease in both adults and children. Similar phenomena are associated with tissue swelling and blocking.

The next symptom, which is a peculiar complication after otitis media in adults is a decrease in hearing acuity. This happens in several cases:

• fluid accumulation behind the eardrum;
• total membrane perforation;
• blocking the auditory ossicles;
• ear cavity fouling by epithelium;
• impaired transmission of nerve impulses;
• dying off hairs.

Very often hearing loss and are the so-called residual effects. After removal of the swelling, fluid drainage and organ recovery, this symptom disappears on its own. To normalize the pressure and drainage of the middle ear, it is necessary to eliminate the problems associated with the auditory tube. If the cause of hearing loss is otherwise, there is a risk of continued hearing impairment.

Chronic form and serious complications

A rather serious consequence is the transition to the chronic form. In this case, the person is faced with the problem of increased propensity to in the event of circumstances favorable to the disease.

To provoke such a variant of events can running otitis media. Ignoring problems at the initial stage leads to the fact that irreversible processes are triggered in the body. The reproduction of bacteria and the destruction of tissues cause changes in the organs of hearing, which subsequently will cause frequent exacerbations of the disease.

The situation can be aggravated by bad habits in adults, the presence of anatomical abnormalities, other chronic diseases, especially those associated with the throat and nose. The slightest irritation, such as allergy or hypothermia, leads to suppression of the immune system and otitis returns again. To cure such a form of the disease is almost impossible, and the problem will torment a person for the rest of his life, not excluding other consequences.

Even more serious complications after otitis are associated with the destruction of healthy tissue and the spread of inflammation to other organs. These include intravascular and intracranial diseases:

• mastoiditis;
• paralysis of the facial nerve;
• meningitis;
• encephalitis;
• hydrocephalus.

Brain damage is especially dangerous for children. The risk of developing a similar phenomenon in adults is somewhat lower.

Inflammation can go beyond the middle ear due to the rapid progression of the disease or lack of effective treatment. With mastoiditis, bone damage occurs. The auditory ossicles first suffer, and then the carious process moves to the cranial structures.

Mastoiditis is dangerous not only because it leads to the development of deafness. This disease is also a prerequisite for the transmission of infection to the brain. When meningitis occurs inflammation of the lining of the brain, encephalitis is a deeper pathology. In hydrocephalus, there is an accumulation of fluid in the cortex of the organ. Such complications lead to the development of irreversible processes, as a result of which an absolutely healthy person can become disabled. Also, cases are not uncommon. death. Such a terrible, irreversible consequences can lead to a banal inflammation of the ear, if it is not eliminated in a timely manner.

How to avoid negative consequences

To prevent a negative scenario, it is important to take appropriate measures. First of all, you can not ignore alarming symptoms, even if you suffer from a common cold or allergies. For pain in the middle ear, hearing loss and general well-being, consult a doctor immediately. Cure acute otitis  with timely treatment can be just a week. But with the development of the chronic stage there is always the risk of serious consequences.

To prevent disease in adults should stop smoking, as the smoke is an irritant of the nasopharynx and causes swelling. auditory tube. Also take care to strengthen the immune system. If you have a tendency to otitis, visit an otolaryngologist from time to time and avoid hypothermia.

If there is already inflammation, treatment should be carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the doctor. Various popular approaches are not only ineffective in the fight against pathogen microorganisms, but sometimes they can only aggravate the situation. In addition, it should be borne in mind that in some cases even conservative therapy is not enough and surgery is required.

If you do not delay the treatment and take your health responsibly, you can avoid many negative consequences not only of otitis, but also other diseases.