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Symptoms of ear otitis in adults. Otitis in adults. Symptoms and stages

Acute otitis - rapidly developing inflammation in the mucous membranes of the organ of hearing, which is accompanied by tissue swelling and pain. Inflammation in the ear leads to dysfunction of the auditory analyzer, as a result of which hearing loss occurs. Children under the age of three years are more susceptible to the disease, which is caused by weakened immunity and anatomical features the structure of the Eustachian tube.

Depends on the kind, but may contain. Mild deafness or the feeling that the sound is drowned out. Blisters on the outer ear or along the ear canal. The noise inside the ear is like a buzz or buzz. These are not necessarily the symptoms of an ear infection, as many of them can be associated with a number of diseases. Ear infections are incredibly significant and require medical care. If you have any symptoms and they persist, consult your doctor as they may be symptoms of an ear infection.

The location of the middle ear right behind the eardrum, along with the tiny bones in this area, facilitates the transmission of sound from the eardrum to inner ear. An infection of the middle ear should be soon after a cold or flu, an infection of the upper respiratory tract or allergies. Under these conditions, nasal congestion occurs due to the construction of mucus in its passage. This liquid substance enters middle part the ear through the Eustachian tube, one end of which lies in the middle part with the ear, and the other end lies at the back with the throat.

Late treatment of ear pathology can cause its transition to the chronic form. Sluggish inflammation adversely affects tissue trophism, which leads to edema and perforation of the eardrum, as well as limiting mobility auditory ossicles. It is these organs that play a key role in the perception of sound signals. Their dysfunction contributes to the development of autophony, hearing loss and deafness.

Treatment methods for acute otitis media

The throat trim of the tube opens and closes from time to time to maintain air pressure in the ear and wipe off any fluid secreted inside the middle ear. Since these tubes are already clogged with mucus, the fluid that reaches the middle of the ear canal cannot be depleted. Uncontrolled growth of bacteria or viruses in this accumulated fluid leads to infection of the middle ear.

Symptoms of middle ear infection are usually found in young children. This is because their Eustachian tube is rather narrow and horizontal. As a result, it becomes quite difficult for these tubes to drain fluid from the ear properly. You can identify with a middle ear infection with one or more of the following symptoms. Discomfort usually increases after lying down. The feeling of fullness in the ear is another symptom of a middle ear infection. Young children often express their discomfort caused by a feeling of fullness, repeatedly stretching the ear.

Development mechanism

Inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes of the organ of hearing in 85% of cases develop due to their infectious lesion. Conditionally pathogenic microorganisms begin to actively develop in the presence of failures in the immune system, leading to a decrease in the reactivity of the organism. According to medical research, the main causative agents of catarrhal processes are the following disease agents:

Treatment of acute otitis media at home

The discharge of fluid from the ears is another symptom that is being tested. The difficulty of hearing sounds often occurs in patients with middle ear infection. Mild fever is another symptom that occurs. Treatment of middle ear infections The signs and symptoms discussed above are the first sign of a middle ear infection. If you consult a doctor with this problem, they conduct a thorough visual inspection of the ear with the support of a device called an otoscope. This is really a tool that allows them to manifest themselves in the settings that take place inside the appearance with the eardrum and ear canal.

rhinoviruses;
enteroviruses;
adenoviruses;
candida fungus;
staphylococcus;
blue pus bacillus;
tubercle bacillus;
aspergillosis;
metapneumovirus.

Otitis is often a complication of bacterial and viral infections such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, etc.

With the development of systemic disease, local and general immunity is reduced, which is an impulse for the spread of pathogenic flora in the nasopharynx. In a tubular way through the Eustachian tube, bacteria or viruses penetrate into the mucous membrane of the organ of hearing, provoking inflammation. The edema of the auditory canal contributes to an increase in the pressure difference between the outside and inside of the eardrum, as a result of which pain sensations.

Why does the disease appear

They can also test the sample with fluid discharged from the ears. The primary goal of treating a middle ear infection is to always facilitate painful symptoms and eradicate the infection. Let's first talk about eliminating discomfort. Oral medications to relieve discomfort are used to reduce earache. However, pain relievers that are used to treat ear discomfort in children and adults are often different. Sometimes doctors could avoid using any oral medication to reduce pain in young people.

In infants, the Eustachian tube is wider and shorter than in adults, which increases the risk of developing acute otitis in 3 times.

Etiology of the disease

Acute ear inflammation is often caused by the development of common diseases of infectious etiology. However, microtrauma of the external auditory canal or serious injury of the skull can provoke catarrhal processes in the tissues of the organ of hearing. According to practical observations, ear pathology most often appears as a result of weakened immunity, which is caused by the influence of the following factors:

Administration ear drops recommended for children to relieve pain. The dose with the ear drops is determined by the doctor, and you should follow the same procedure. Do not apply ear drops every time your child complains of ear pain. Along with these medicines, try a warm squeeze because it has a calming effect on discomfort. Simply position the damp, warm washcloth on your ear for 10 minutes to get the results you want. An additional option would be to use a medical device for ear infections.

congenital immunodeficiency;
susceptibility to allergies;
curvature of the nasal septum;
avitaminosis and micronutrient deficiencies;
endocrine disorders;
detoxification disease;
bad habits.

In infants, the disease often occurs due to regurgitation of the milk mixture after feeding. This can lead to the ingress of food particles into the ear canal, which is fraught with the development of bacteria and, as a result, infection of the middle ear. The tympanic cavity in newborns and children up to a year is lined with myxoid tissue, which has a loose structure. When pathogens enter the embryonic gelatinous tissue, it quickly becomes susceptible to infection, which leads to the development of inflammatory processes.

This device heals pain and helps to drain the fluid, lowering the pressure on the eardrum and without fluid - the bacteria go away. An antibiotic is needed to fight infection. For this purpose, prescribed tablets for oral antibiotic. A course of these medications must be completed, even if the symptoms disappear immediately after each day or two. If you get out of these medications in the middle, then there is a high probability of a recurrence of infection. If babies have a treatment for middle ear infection, then antibiotic medications must be administered intravenously.

In children, the Eustachian tube is located very close to the adenoids. Therefore, even a runny nose or sore throat can trigger the development of otitis media in a child.

Signs of otitis media

The development of an ENT disease is accompanied by a vivid manifestation of symptoms, the main of which are pain and a feeling of congestion in the ears. Within 7-10 days otitis takes place all the main stages of its development, but in the absence of treatment the inflammatory process can turn into a sluggish form. The main symptoms of acute otitis media are:

Often, an infection of the middle ear becomes critical, and perforation occurs inside the eardrum. This kind of harm is healed with antibiotic ear drops. In anticipation of the introduction of medication into the ear, the fluid must be disconnected by a unique method. In several cases, it was found that even immediately after the infection subsides, the fluid remains inside the ear for a long time. These patients are invited to visit the doctor for typical examinations. From time to time, this residual fluid inside the ear lasts more than two months, which causes frequent ear infections.

With the defeat of the outer ear, there is a hyperemia of the affected tissues with the possible appearance of erythematous rashes and boils.

In the case of otitis media and internal otitis, the pain inside the ear increases with palpation of the tragus.

The course of exudative inflammation of the tympanic cavity is usually limited to a slight decrease in hearing and serous discharge from the external auditory canal.

Otitis treatment in adults

In this case, doctors choose a surgical method for removing fluid. AT eardrum a small hole is created, and a tube is installed there to drain the fluid that has accumulated inside the middle of the ear. This is a small operation and is known as myringotomy. Tubes placed in the eardrum prevent further accumulation of fluid and discharge the existing fluid. Immediately after the ear becomes fluid free, the tube can fall out by itself after 6 months or so.

Types of acute otitis

There are several types of acute otitis media in adults and children, due to the location of localized inflammation. The human ear consists of three main sections: the outer, middle and inner, which is often called the maze. In this regard, the development acute inflammation The following types of ENT diseases can be diagnosed in the ear:

Some tubes need to be removed with another minor surgery. The hole released in the eardrum closes by itself. In some cases, the infection can be resolved on its own without using any antibiotics. However, consultation with a physician may be necessary so that you can prevent unnecessary future complications, such as a perforated eardrum, and so on. Recovery time for middle ear infection can vary from 2 weeks to 2 months.

If it takes longer, you must act patiently and follow the instructions of the doctor. Ear infection - or acute otitis media - may occur when the middle ear becomes inflamed by viral infection or allergies and causes fluid to accumulate behind the ear drum. This fluid buildup can also be caused by swelling in the Eustachian tubes, tubes found in the middle ear or surrounding tissues. Over time, the liquid can become infected with bacteria.

external otitis - an inflammatory process that takes place in the external auditory canal and auricle. Conventionally, it is divided into two types: limited and diffuse. The first is represented by inflammation of a small area of skin on which a furuncle is formed, and the second by an extensive lesion of all parts of the external ear;
otitis media - a pathological change in the tissues of the tympanic cavity, Eustachian tube and mastoid. Depending on the clinical manifestations of the pathology, it can be catarrhal, exudative, or purulent;
labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the bone and soft tissues of a labyrinth consisting of semicircular canals and spiral snail. Due to the occurrence of otitis media, it is divided into hematogenous, tympanogenic and meningogenic.

In 25% of cases when detected ear pathologies acute otitis media is diagnosed.
The role of the Eustachian tubes The Eustachian tubes run from each middle ear to the high back of the throat, where they can open and close to regulate air pressure and drain the fluid in the ears. Children are more susceptible to ear infections because their Eustachian tubes are narrower and more horizontal, making it difficult for the tubes to work.

Acute otitis media - symptoms
Ear infections may be present without any visible symptoms. Or your child may have some. Has a fever. It has drainage from the ear. Headache.
Pain in the ear, which may be worse when lying down.

Tugs or pulls in your ear.

Screams more than usual.

Can't answer sounds.

Is unusually irritable.

Although ear infections are more common in children, adults can also get them.

The principles of treatment of acute otitis media are determined by the localization of lesions, the prevalence of inflammation, the type of pathogen and the patient's age. For this reason, otolaryngologists recommend contacting specialists if a problem occurs, rather than self-medicating.

General principles of treatment

In otolaryngology, several areas are used in the treatment of acute otitis, characterized by inflammation in the mucous membranes of the organ of hearing. To relieve the symptoms of the disease using drugs local action, possessing antiedematous, antibacterial and analgesic properties. Systemic antibiotics can eliminate the pathogenic flora in the foci of inflammation wide spectrum actions. To improve the trophism of tissues and restore the drainage function of the Eustachian tube resorted to the use of physiotherapy.

During the exam, the doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner will use the otoscope to look inside the ears. If the ear looks sore, a pneumatic otoscope can be used to confirm the presence of fluid behind the eardrum. The pneumatic otoscope gently inflates the air against the eardrum, which should lead to an overload of the eardrum. If the eardrum does not move or moves a little, it means that the middle ear is filled with fluid.

Treatment of an ear infection depends on the age of the patient and the severity of the infection. Some ear infections improve without the use of antibiotics. Waiting and Surveillance The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a “wait and see” approach to the relevant patient, depending on the age and severity of the symptoms. Our medical team can evaluate children in order to determine the appropriate treatment - be it medicine right away or “wait and see”.

Important! If necessary, the use of antibiotics in the treatment of children focus on drugs penicillin and cephalosporin. They are less toxic, so they do not provoke allergic reactions.

Due to the reduced reactivity of the child's body, there is a risk of a relapse of the disease. To reduce the likelihood of exacerbation of ENT pathology in the scheme of pediatric therapy include immune stimulants and non-toxic immunomodulators. Particular attention is paid to taking vitamin preparations, which include ascorbic acid.

Antibiotics If it is determined that a bacterial infection is present, treatment may be required. bacterial infection antibiotics. The prescribed antibiotics will be based on the age, severity of the infection and whether the patient is allergic to penicillin.

Discomfort management. While you wait until the infection disappears, you can do a couple of things to cope with the discomfort. First, you can try to put a warm compress on the affected ear. You can then use ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain.

Review of effective drugs

Treatment of acute otitis in adults is accompanied by the use of drugs of local and systemic action. The choice of specific groups of drugs is determined by the type of pathogen, the stage of development of the disease and the accompanying symptoms. As part of conservative therapy, specialists use the following types of drugs:

Classification and course of acute otitis media

Occurs when fluid accumulates in the area behind the eardrum, and then becomes infected. For most adults, the fluid that enters the middle ear usually flows by itself through the Eustachian tube, a narrow tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. In adults, the evsyayay tube is located vertically, which makes it less likely that the liquid will get into the trap. Children are more prone to ear infections because their Eustachian tubes are horizontal in orientation, so fluid from the middle ear becomes more complex.

topical decongestants ("Galazolin", "Nazivin") - reduce the permeability of blood vessels, which helps to eliminate puffiness;
antibiotics ("Aksitin", "Ekobol") - prevent the growth of microbes, which leads to the elimination of pathogenic flora in the foci of inflammation;
corticosteroids ("Sofradex", "Kandibiotik") - reduce inflammation, which speeds up the epithelialization of the mucous membranes;
antiseptics ("Dioxidine", "Miramistin") - inhibit the development of pathogens in auditory canal, resulting in increased local immunity;
antimycotics ("Pimafukort", "Candide") - kill disease-causing fungi, causing inflammation in the ear.

To achieve the desired therapeutic result drug therapy It is advisable to combine with physiotherapy procedures. At the stage of progression of ENT pathology, you can resort to catheterization, iontophoresis and faradization of the auditory canal.

Diagnosis and treatment

Common symptoms of an ear infection include. Earache Fever 100 ℉ or higher Liquid drainage from the ear Headache Ear tightening Temporary hearing loss Rebalancing Sleep difficulty Irritability and crying. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way Prevent ear infections in children - make sure your child is updated in all of their vaccinations and ensures that they get the flu vaccine every year, because ear infections often occur after upper respiratory infections, including flu and the common cold, have resolved.

Otitis is inflammation and swelling. auricle. It can be chronic or acute, purulent or catarrhal. Most often this disease occurs in children. According to statistics, about 80% of children under 3 years of age had otitis at least once.

It is manifested by pain in the ear (throbbing, shooting, aching), fever body, hearing loss, tinnitus, mucopurulent discharge from the external auditory canal.

Otitis is the most common cause of hearing loss (hearing loss). This disease affects people of all ages, but children are most susceptible to illness, due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the Eustachian tube.

Causes of Otitis

The inflammatory process at the level of the middle ear is most often secondary. This means that, initially, the infection penetrates into the tympanic cavity from other departments that communicate with it. Secretory otitis media occurs when fluid formed due to a cold or allergic reaction, penetrates the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.

Depending on the location of the pathological process there are three forms of otitis:

interior;
outer;
otitis media

The two main causes of otitis media are infection and the spread of inflammation from the nasopharynx to the middle ear, as well as ear injuries. Also, the disease can occur due to:

skin injury of the external auditory canal;
after ingress of polluted water;
carrying out surgical operations in the area of the nasopharynx or nasal cavity;
as a consequence,;
at infectious diseases, kidney disease, hypothermia.

Otitis media can be caused by various pathogenic microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi (otomycosis) and various microbial associations.

Symptoms of otitis media

First of all, otitis media and its symptoms will depend on the shape and location of the flow. inflammatory process. To characterize the overall picture of acute otitis of the middle ear and its symptoms can be on the following grounds:

earache is sharp, strong and sometimes intolerable, radiating to the temporal and parietal areas;
hearing loss;
hyperthermia;
elevated temperature;

After 1-3 days from the moment of the onset of the disease, a rupture in the eardrum appears, suppuration begins. In this period, the temperature drops, the pain decreases, the general condition improves.

With the unfavorable development of the disease, the pus can break not outward, but inward, the cranial cavity, provoking the development of brain abscess, meningitis and other dangerous diseases.

Symptoms of otitis in chronic form are similar, but less pronounced. As a rule, pain is present, hearing loss is more significant than in the acute stage.

More often, children are ill, because of the peculiarities of the structure of the middle ear, and often the purulent process can develop in a day or two. The child often cries, screams, holds on to the ear, cannot sleep. In such cases, you must immediately consult a doctor.

Otitis treatment

Firstly local treatment The disease depends on its shape. Otitis treatment should be prompt, due to the risk of severe consequences: the spread of the disease into the skull space or on inner earthat may threaten complete hearing loss.

Subject to timely treatment by a doctor, treatment of otitis media of the middle ear is successfully carried out drugs and physiotherapy procedures. Anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics are widely used for treatment, as well as antipyretic drugs when a patient has high temperature. To relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa, vasoconstrictive drops are necessarily instilled.

If the tympanum does not drain independently during the first three days, dissection of the eardrum is shown.

In general, a home otitis media treatment regimen consists of the following components:

bed rest;
nasal vasoconstrictor agents;
antimicrobials;
antibacterial agents;
physiotherapy treatment;
warming compresses;
vitamins.

Acute purulent otitis requires the use of antibiotic therapy, as well as the evacuation of pus from the cavity of the middle ear. After completing the main course, the patient is prescribed rehabilitation and resorptional therapy. Treatment of otitis media in a chronic form also consists in carrying out anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapy, with enhanced immunocorrection.

It should be noted that the treatment of otitis at home should be carried out only with the permission of the otolaryngologist. Do not self-medicate. In those cases when conservative methods do not help, they resort to surgery.

Ear drops for otitis

The use of any of these drugs is allowed only after receiving the appropriate consultation with a doctor.

Garazon, Sofradeks, Dexon, Anauran - glucocorticosteroid drops;
Otinum, Otipaks - anti-inflammatory drops;
Otofa, Tsipromed, Normaks, Fugentin - antibacterial drops.

To achieve maximum therapeutic effect It is recommended to combine the use of drops with antibiotics, they should be prescribed by a specialist after the diagnosis is established.

The main preventive measures of otitis in children and adults are prevention and timely treatment. inflammatory diseases nose and nasopharynx, chronic diseases nose, paranasal sinuses. Properly hold toilet nose.