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How does otitis in adults begin. Symptoms and treatment of otitis. Causes of otitis media and risk factors

Acute otitis media is a fairly common disease that can affect both adults and children. Its symptoms manifest themselves intensely, delivering discomfort to the sick person. To get rid of the problem, you should immediately begin treatment, since the acute phase can give complications and become chronic.

Features of the disease and causes

First you need to understand the features of this disease and the mechanism of its occurrence. Acute otitis media  - This is a lesion of the mucous epithelium in the cavity of the middle ear. The main pathogen is pathogenic microflora. Bacteria enter the ear through the nasopharynx or through the transtimpal route, begin to actively proliferate and directly cause inflammation.

The most common peripheral vestibular types of vertigo respond well to treatment. The most benign is benign positional dizziness, which can often be clearly diagnosed and treated with a simple maneuver. Other common peripheral vestibular vertigo include Meniere's disease and vestibular migraine.

The most powerful and overturning attacks of vertigo can be inflammation and short-term neuralgia of nerve balance. If you feel that your child is not listening well and is not sure that he is “unable to hear” or “does not want to hear,” then we will make appropriate hearings as soon as the child is able to perform a hearing test. In unclear situations, we cooperate with the Department of Pediatric Audiology of the University Hospital and the Children's Hospital. If hearing loss caused by effusion in the tympanic cavity that does not regress is detected, prompt insertion of the tympanic tubes into the eardrum may be required.

Usually, acute left-sided or right otitis. If the bacteria affect both ears simultaneously, they speak of a bilateral type of the disease. Its symptoms may appear unevenly, depending on the degree of organ damage on each side.

In adults, otitis occurs less frequently than in children, as the number of risk factors decreases. In adults, the immunity is stronger, and the anatomical component of the ear-nose-throat system is normalized, and infections become harder to get into the ear.

Medical insurance is not required. What helps against middle ear infection? Home remedies for otitis media help the ears in children and adults. Otitis is a common disease in infants and young children, but it can also affect adults. It is not contagious and is caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. In children acute infection  The middle ear often occurs when adults usually suffer from a chronic variant. But what to do against middle ear infection? Grandmothers' old and good home remedies treat the symptoms and naturally support the treatment.

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Main reasons acute otitis  considered to be:

  • infectious diseases;
  • viral diseases;
  • nasopharyngeal pathologies;
  • tumors and neoplasms;
  • injuries;
  • hypothermia;
  • allergy;
  • chronic problems with the upper respiratory tract;
  • weak immunity;
  • changes in atmospheric pressure;
  • sulfur plug;
  • foreign body in the ear;
  • ingress of water.

Acute otitis media proceeds rapidly and intensely. The main pathogens are microorganisms cocci groups, as well as fungi, proteus and diphtheria bacillus.

Middle ear infection: causes and symptoms

Middle ear infection - inflammation in the Eustachian tube, the connection between the ears and the nasal passage. Mutilated by the mucous nose, sinusitis, tonsillitis, spasm, floats in polluted water. Thus, microbes pass through the nasal passage into the Eustachian tube and begin to multiply there.

Natural home remedies for otitis media

The most common symptoms of otitis are. Behind eardrum, pus and mucus accumulate. If the middle ear infection is not treated, it can damage the eardrum. Grandmother's home remedy for middle ear infection: warm envelopes. . To relieve earache, warm envelope - good remedy.

They can penetrate the middle ear through the bloodstream, nasopharynx and Eustachian tube, damaged eardrum, and even from the cranial cavity and inner ear.

Poor treatment of colds, infections and viral diseases often gives a complication in the form of acute otitis. Especially often this disease bothers people with chronic sinusitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis or allergic rhinitis. Mucosal irritation auditory tube  during medical manipulations can also provoke inflammation. And if there is a curvature of the nasal septum or there are often problems with the tonsils, which is especially important for children, the number of otitis episodes increases significantly.

Diffuse acute otitis media

You soak a rag in warm water, tear it out and put it in your ear. Repeat with decreasing effect. Alternatively, put a bottle of hot water in your ear, or hold the heat in your ears with a red light bulb. Natural ear drops: olive oil. . For a natural pain reliever, it can be used to inflame the middle ear.

Heated a little olive oil in a pot. Oil should have a body temperature. With a pipette, add 2 drops to sore ear. Medication for the treatment of the middle ear at home: oil tea tree. . Tea tree oil reliably fights against infections of the middle ear with fungi and bacteria.


Symptoms and stages

Do not notice this disease is impossible. It starts suddenly and quickly gaining momentum. Symptoms of acute otitis media are bright and intense. The main difference of this form of the disease is a sharp pain inside the ear and fever. Mostly otitis symptoms intersect with signs of a cold. Observed swelling and nasal congestion, with the spread of infection occur concomitant diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

Mix 4 drops of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of olive oil and lightly heat. Lay on your side and fill your ear with this remedy. Let it run for 5 minutes, then drain. Natural antibiotic for middle ear infection: garlic. . Ear infections caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses can be treated naturally with garlic juice.

You drink some garlic cloves and squeeze the juice. With a pipette throughout the day put a few drops in the ear. Onion juice  ear infection heals. . Onion juice helps against infections and accumulation of pus. Puree onion and squeeze juice. Put warm juice in your ear several times a day.

The main symptoms of acute otitis in adults:

  • sharp pain;
  • temperature;
  • malaise;
  • hearing impairment;
  • nasal congestion and ears;
  • runny nose;
  • hyperemia of soft tissues;
  • fluid accumulation behind the eardrum;
  • the appearance of discharge;
  • noise and sensation of fluid transfusion.

Symptoms initially go on increasing, as the disease progresses. After perforation of the eardrum and discharge of discharge to the outside, discomfort  are down.

Alternatively, put onion bag of chopped onion in a rag bag that was heated in the oven. Disease of the middle ear with salt. . Good way  keeping your ear warm is salt. Heat 500 g of salt for 10 minutes in the oven. Then put in the bag and put on the ear to reduce the pain and pressure in the ear.

Natural remedies for otitis media: essential oils. . Essential oils, such as lavender oil and chamomile oil, can cure soft otitis media in a natural way. Add 4 drops of lavender oil and 4 drops of chamomile oil in a tablespoon of vegetable oil. This mixture was gently heated drop by drop in the ear to cure pain and infection.


The disease proceeds in several stages:

  • Catarrhal stage.The onset of the disease, when there is a lesion of the mucous membrane lining the Eustachian tube. When bacteria enter, inflammation increases. The swollen auditory tube does not allow internal exudate to recede.
  • Exudative stage.Due to the blocking of the middle ear, exudate accumulates in it. Body temperature rises to fight infection and microorganisms, which in the resulting environment feel great and actively reproduce in the absence of appropriate treatment measures.
  • Purulent stage.In the ear cavity, pus begins to form and accumulate. It fills free space and exerts pressure on the eardrum. It causes a feeling of stuffiness and enhances pain sensations. Symptoms of intoxication may be observed due to the increased concentration of waste products of pathogenic microflora. Up to and including this stage, acute otitis media occurs in the preperforative stage.
  • Perforated stage.The next stage, when accumulated inside the ear pus leads to the destruction of the most vulnerable zone of the eardrum and its breakthrough occurs - perforation. A sharp pain is accompanied by a temporary decrease in hearing and the onset of intense suppuration from the outside. auditory canal. At the same time, body temperature normalizes, and pain sensations become less pronounced. It is important that the pus is completely drained out. In adults, perforation often occurs independently, but in children, forced paracentesis may be necessary, due to the greater thickness of the eardrum. During this period, you can not use the usual preparations for instillation of the ears.
  • Reparative stage.Marked by restoring the integrity of the eardrum. Healing occurs independently and quickly. Scars can form on the membrane, but in most cases they do not affect the quality of hearing. With proper treatment  there is no bacteria and secretions in the middle ear, and therefore, after the healing of the gap, the patient is completely cured.

Often the treatment of uncomplicated acute otitis media takes from 5-7 days to 2-3 weeks. It is advisable to prevent the transition of the disease purulent stage, since the accumulation of secretions of this kind increases the risk of complications and chronic inflammation.

Treating secondary ear infection with basil. . Medicinal herbal basil removes ear pain  and fights infections. You mash the fresh basil leaves and squeeze the juice. Put a few drops of this in the ear to the ear. Get rid of ear infections with apple cider vinegar. . Home remedy for apple cider vinegar  helps against fungal and bacterial growth in the ear.

What else can you do to fight a middle ear infection? - Tips

Fill the ear with this agent for 5 minutes and then drain. Alternatively, place a cotton swab soaked in the ear canal for 10 minutes. A strong immune system fights infections of the middle ear from the inside. A lot of vitamin C is found in citrus and fruit juices. Foods rich in zinc and calcium are also recommended.


Diagnosis and treatment

To produce effective treatment  acute otitis media, it is necessary to properly diagnose and find out at what stage the disease is. Since the symptoms are quite characteristic, usually there are no problems with this. To clarify the situation in adults, a number of studies are made:

Avoid sugar and white flour, as this contributes to the growth of infections. You should also avoid cigarettes, as they further irritate the respiratory tract and the middle ear. Please be patient: home remedies mentioned help against middle ear infection and pain treatment when used for several days.

What is the most likely trigger in which age and which types of therapy are eligible to participate is in the updated guidelines of the German Society of General and Family Medicine. Sudden onset of severe pain in the ear, as well as hearing loss, general physical condition, irritability, fever, and dizziness: parents of young children usually know these symptoms due to a painful experience. These are typical signs of middle ear infection. In infancy and childhood, acute otitis media is the most common cause of earache pain; Over 60% of all children fall into the first six years of life.

  • Inspection otoscope. Revealed hyperemic areas of the mucous epithelium, opacification of the eardrum, its perforation. An accumulation of fluid in the middle ear can also be seen.
  • Audiometry and tympanometry. The degree of hearing loss is determined, the functioning of the eardrum is checked.
  • CT, MRI and radiography. These are auxiliary methods of examinations to determine the state of soft and bone tissues, mainly used in cases of suspected complications.

Otitis treatment in adults is based on a combination of drug therapy and supportive measures. It is important to eliminate the cause of the inflammation of the ear. That is why it is necessary to perform the treatment of the primary disease, that is, colds, sinusitis, allergies, etc.

As soon as the children come into contact with their peers in the children's center or the nursery, cough, cold and “ears” will not take long to wait. Painful inflammation of the mucous membranes of the middle ear is usually caused by an ascending respiratory tract infection, in which pathogens pass through the nose and the Eustachian tube into the ear cavity of the ear. In addition to child care and a large group of brothers and sisters, passive smoking, breastfeeding in the first three months of life and low socio-economic status are risk factors for the disease.

In four of five cases, she heals herself. However, antibiotics are often prescribed: for children, inflammation of the middle ear is the most common reason for taking antibiotic therapy. Since the pediatrician cannot usually distinguish whether it is viral or bacterial inflammation, management recommends that the symptom focus be continued. For example, in the case of an uncomplicated course and in patients without risk factors, you should first use only an analgesic, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.


To relieve inflammation, eliminate puffiness and destroy pathogenic bacteria, the treatment should be divided into several steps:

  • Acceptance of anti-inflammatory drugs. These are drugs with antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. They also anesthetize and eliminate the effects of the infection.
  • Antibacterial agents and antibiotics. In case of serious illness, a systemic dose is prescribed. For local impact using ear drops.
  • Antihistamines. Indispensable in case of an allergic form of the disease, they help to remove the swelling of tissues.
  • Vasoconstrictor drops. Used to relieve swelling and eliminate rhinitis.

At the initial stage, the treatment is complemented by warming compresses. You can use physiotherapy procedures for prescribing ENT, to improve the perception of drugs and speed up the healing process.

Direct administration of antibiotics has no proven effect on pain during the first 24 hours. A prerequisite for such a restrictive therapy in the use of antibiotics is parental consent and cooperation. If the child still complains of ear pain after 48 hours, the antibiotic is indicated. The first choice is amoxicillin at a dose of 50 mg per kg of body weight per day for seven days, the second choice is a second-generation cephalosporin, such as cefuroxime axetil, from 20-30 mg per kg of body weight per day for five to ten days.


With the accumulation of pus, surgical intervention should be carried out to clear the ear cavity from the discharge. Paracentesis is a puncture of the membrane. Through the hole pus flows out, and after a few days, it tightens. In acute otitis media in adults, the gap usually occurs independently and does not require additional medical intervention.

For penicillin allergy, alternatively, a macrolide, such as erythromycin, can be given for seven days. Immediate onset of antibiotics is indicated, for example, in case of leakage of fluid from the ear, children under two years of age with bilateral complaints, associated diseases  or recurrent infections.

One speaks of recurrent otitis media if the child is ill at least  three times in six months. There may be anatomical causes, such as the expansion of the pharyngeal tonsils, which the otolaryngologist must exclude. In addition, chronic otitis media, more than three months, prolonged inflammation with a defect without healing the eardrum and purulent discharge  from the ear, is the case for the specialist.

Prognosis and prevention

Gradually, with proper treatment, the symptoms begin to subside, and after a few weeks there is a complete restoration of hearing. Even the presence of perforation does not worsen the prognosis if the treatment is not delayed.

In the absence of adequate therapy acute inflammation  may become chronic. In this case, purulent discharge constantly accumulate in the cavity of the middle ear and cause great discomfort. The treatment of chronic diseases not only takes a lot of time, but is also associated with the risks of adverse pathologies.

If fluid collects in the middle ear without inflammation, this is called a drum effusion. This disease, which is associated with a sense of pressure and minority, is also very common in childhood: approximately 80 percent of all children fall ill at least once before the age of ten. Tympanic effusion occurs when the ventilation of the middle ear with Eustachia's tube is not working properly. The most common causes are sore pharyngeal tonsils  and frequent respiratory tract infections that should be treated first.

Pigs are also considered a trigger for ear pain in infancy and childhood. Swimming pool and cotton balls. In young people who have damaged their ears, pathogens usually do not occur from the inside, but from the outside. In the summer, a visit to the pool is often a trigger; throughout the year, ears with cotton buds, nickel-containing jewelry, body care products or cosmetics may be allergens. The health of our pets is usually one of our main problems when we start living with them.

To protect yourself from problems, it is important to follow the rules of prevention. Otitis is associated with diseases of the nasopharynx, and therefore first of all it is necessary to take care of timely treatment of these diseases. You can not allow the transition to a chronic head cold, as well as the spread of infection through the body with the bloodstream.


And this is something that anyone who does not have a charge, for example, will not know the attachment that you can get in order to catch these little fluffy animals, but headaches that can lead to something to fix. That is why the first thing we usually do when adopting an animal is to look for all those who can attack our partner. In the case of cats, one of the most famous, which we will talk about today, in particular, is otitis.

Otitis media - symptoms and treatment

For those who do not know what it is, otitis media is a very painful disease, which consists of inflammation of the cat's epithelium. In this case, we mean the epithelium, completely covering the auditory canal of the animal. Inflammation that causes pretty sharp pain  in a cat that is likely to complain and will have many of the most common symptoms that are commonly present in these cases. In addition, you may temporarily lose your hearing; Do not worry if this happens, because with proper treatment it will not be renewed on time.

  • lead a healthy lifestyle;
  • take the habit of playing sports and hardening;
  • eat right;
  • support;
  • do not overcool.

With frequent episodes of acute otitis media, you need to consult a doctor to find out the causes of this phenomenon. This may be due to deviations in the structure of the nasopharynx, Eustachian tube and the ear itself. Also, the disease may be associated with neoplasms in this area or previous surgical procedures. Negative influences in adults also have chronic diseases  systemic nature.


To increase the body's protective function, you should take vitamins, especially during the season of increasing cases of colds and ear diseases. With a hereditary tendency to otitis media, this is very important, since each episode of the disease weakens the body and the immune system is not able to prevent repeated outbreaks of acute inflammation.

If you follow the purity of the ears, strengthen the immune system and time to treat infectious diseases, acute otitis media will no longer bother you.

So that we can know this world, we must take care of the health of our ears.

Everything in our body is interconnected. From health internal organs  significantly depends on the health of the ears and vice versa.

Otitis - inflammation of the ears - is one of the most pressing diseases today. This ailment does not occur at any particular time of the year, although we note that autumn-winter time is most popular for otitis symptoms.

In the summer, too, when it is hot, many patients are treated with otitis because of the ingress of water from the ponds and reservoirs into the ear canal. In otolaryngology even appeared such a phrase as “swimmer's ear”. Still external otitis  cause diseases such as sore throat, colds. In this case, the external part of the auricle is inflamed, of the ear canal, an abscess appears or.

The external form of otitis needs to be tackled without fail, since the local process of inflammation, with redness and swelling of the external ear, may lead to a further inflammatory process in the middle ear region.

Causes of otitis media and risk factors

The main causes of otitis media in adults, as well as provoking factors are the following:

  • lack of immunity.
  • predisposition.
  • malnutrition, for example, vitamin A deficiency.
  • structural and anatomical features  ear.
  • bacterial and viral infection: streptococci, haemophilus bacilli, moraxella, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, influenza viruses.
  •   and rhinitis.
  • diseases of the nose, sinuses, throat, nasal septum bias.
  • adenoids.
Provocative factors can be epidemics, stress and hypothermia of the body.

Ear structure

Our ears consist of two parts: central and peripheral. The peripheral is the outer, inner and middle ear; central part - the nerve fibers that create conductive paths, ending in the cerebral cortex and temples.

The outer part of the ear is represented pinna  and auditory canal. Between the middle and outer ear is the eardrum. In young children up to two months, the membrane is located almost horizontally.

The middle ear is three components: the tympanic cavity, the Eustachian tube and the cave with cells mastoid. The tympanic cavity is a hammer, anvil and stirrup, together transmitting sounds from the eardrum to the inner ear.

Inner ear  located in the depth of the temporal bone. It consists of a snail, semicircular canalshaving a special apparatus, perceiving sounds and nerve cells.

Symptoms of otitis in adults

Clinical symptoms will vary depending on the form of otitis.

Suspect development first otitis symptoms  in adults, according to the classical picture of the disease, which is characterized by such signs:


  • shooting pains in the ear, stuffiness, discomfort. Babies cry when they increase their pain, because they cannot otherwise express painful sensations.
  • rupture of the eardrum and suppuration (with otitis media).
  • increased body temperature.
  With chronic otitis media  The following symptoms occur: hearing loss, periodic appearance of pus from the ear, sometimes tinnitus or. Soreness occurs only during an exacerbation of the disease, sometimes hyperthermia occurs. Often the patient does not feel suppuration, patients it does not often worry.

Purulent discharge for patients become normal. During surveys, these patients do not at all talk about ear disease. And with regard to hearing loss, which is not rarely observed, the patient can consult a doctor only in the case of a sufficiently strong decrease in hearing.

Symptoms internal otitis  - severe and severe dizziness, appearing a couple of weeks after the onset infectious disease. The attack is often associated with nausea and vomiting. Sometimes there is tinnitus and hearing loss.

Otitis treatment

If you have otitis symptoms, please consult a doctor. The otolaryngologist has a special toolkit - a reflector with light, allowing you to inspect the entire cavity of the ears. In addition, the ENT should examine the nose and throat, check the accuracy of hearing. If the picture is unclear, additional examination will be required, in particular X-rays, general analysis  blood.

Sometimes audiometry is performed with additional examination of air and bone conduction. When pus appears, it can be sent for immunological and microbiological examination.

Treatment of acute otitis  in adults, it begins with the observance of bed rest, as well as leaving the patient at rest. When testimony prescribed antibiotics, in particular the most relevant of them:


  • cefixime;
  • erythromycin;
  • amoxicillin;
  • cefaclor and others.
  Amoxicillin is recommended for most patients. It kills the main number of bacteria, pathogens of the disease, rarely causes allergic reactions  other side effectsis inexpensive. Often the treatment regimen lasts at least 7-10 days. It all depends on the severity of otitis. Also, doctors prescribe sulfonamides and in addition antihistamines.

As a topical treatment of otitis in adults, use warming compresses and heating pads. Effective physiotherapy - currents UHF and Solux. To reduce the pain in the affected ear, drops of 5% carbolic acid in glycerin are dripping, but they cannot be used if there is suppuration. Local treatment  with anti-inflammatory drops also effective.

In some cases, with abundant accumulation of exudate in the ear cavity make myringotomy. This is an artificial penetration of the ear cavity. This method can be carried out only after anesthesia by a doctor.


Buried in the nose vasoconstrictor drugs. If the treatment does not become effective, make a paracentesis. In order that pus normally leaves, it is recommended to ensure its good outflow. When purulent discharge ceases, hearing should be checked, if necessary, pneumatic massage is used and the diseased organ is blown off.

Treatment of acute otitis media at home

If you prefer traditional medicine, then you can try the following recipes that will help in the treatment of otitis media at home.

  1. 1) To eliminate the acute form of otitis media, use the simplest method: dry heat. Apply a dry towel to your sore ear, and top with a bottle of hot water. Do not interfere with hot salt, heated in a pan and wrapped in a bag or sock.
  2. 2) It will help reduce pain folk remedy: take the clay, put it on the fabric more than 2 cm. The clay must be in sufficient quantity so that it can absorb the harmful components. Close the ear with a cotton swab, and on top of it lay a compress for 2 hours.
  3. 3) The juice of ordinary onions will help get rid of the disease. Take onions, after cutting off the top of the bulb. Pour one teaspoonful of cumin seeds into the upper hole, cut off the onion pot with a cut "lid" of onion. In the oven, bake onions for 30 minutes. After it is necessary to squeeze the juice from the onion, then drip it into the affected ear for the night for 3 drops.
  4. 4) An excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect has tincture of birch buds. She does not have an allergy, so feel free to use the recipe. Mix birch buds and vodka in the ratio of 1:10. Insist her 10-14 days. Stir the mixture periodically. In the heated form, it is necessary to drop the “talker” on cotton wool, put such a cotton twist in the ear. Procedures should be at least 14. This method is quite effective. As a result, those who suffer from acute otitis, pain disappears, inflammation disappears, pus discharge decreases and hearing is restored.
  5. 5) Acute otitis media is also treated with 10% calendula tincture or mint tincture. To prepare the solution, take two tablespoons of dry grass collection, pour 200 ml of vodka over it, leave for 1 week. Then strain the mixture. In the affected ear, bury the mixture every three hours, 3 drops.


Treatment of chronic otitis

Some simple ways  can help cope with this unpleasant disease at home:

  1. 1) External applications. Take the flour, it should be mixed with camphor alcohol. The latter should be pre-diluted with water in a ratio of one to two. Add 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of linseed oil to the mixture. Put compress paper and a warm scarf on top. Since this application is very soft, you can use it until you get rid of the pain in your ears.
  2. 2) Chronic Therapy purulent otitis  can be supplemented with the treatment of the roots of raspberry. Take the roots of this berry, clean them well from the remnants of the earth, rinse and dry. Next, chop finely. 2 tbsp. chop the spoons of roots, brew them with a liter of hot water, after which the mixture is drawn for half a day. Drink the flock inside three quarters of a glass twice a day for a month. It is interesting that during this period of time even the old problems associated with the eardrum pass.
  3. 3) Lemon juice. Take two medium lemons, squeeze the juice out of them, strain the juice a couple of times through a layer of gauze. Pour juice into a glass container, put in a dark cold place. In the ear that bothers, bury the mixture of 5 drops twice a day. This procedure will remove inflammatory process, remove pain and even restore hearing. It is necessary to treat the ear until recovery, after which, as a preventive measure, bury the ear twice a week.

Otitis media - symptoms and treatment

Inflammation of the middle ear is. Secretory otitis of the middle ear occurs when fluid in the ear, appearing due to a cold or allergy, enters the ear through the Eustachian tube.

Serous acute otitis occurs due to the entry and development of bacterial and viral infectionwhen additional fluid appears.