Otitis is a group of inflammatory diseases of the ear.
The ear consists of three parts.
- The outer ear is represented by the pinna and ear canal. When inflammation of the outer ear develops otitis externa.
- The middle ear by the outer borders of the tympanic membrane and the tympanic cavity and is represented by the auditory ossicles (incus, malleus, and stapes). When inflammation of the middle ear develops otitis media. When people talk about otitis, most often have in mind an inflammation of the middle ear.
- The inner ear consists of bone and membranous labyrinths and inflammation occurs when internal otitis or labyrinthitis. Otitis media is commonly observed in children.
Kinds
Otitis on the nature of flow are divided into acute and chronic.
Acute otitis media lasts no more than 3 weeks, subacute lasts from three weeks to three months of chronic otitis say when it continues for more than three months.
On the origin of ear infection is infectious and non-infectious (allergic or traumatic otitis).
Depending on the type of inflammation can be otitis exudative (formed bloody inflammation or effusion), purulent (local or diffuse) and catarrhal.
Causes
ear inflammation occurs in two cases. First, penetration of the infectious agent into the middle ear of the inflamed nasal, and secondly, is the result of otitis ear injury.
The reasons that cause otitis media include:
- acute respiratory viral infections SARS, Which result in swelling of the nasal mucosa, which leads to obturation (occlusion) of the outer holes Eustachian tube (air passes through it), this leads to a ventilation and cleaning drum violation cavity;
- available adenoids, nasal polyps or chronic tonsillitis, Nasopharyngeal tumor formation;
- harsh atmospheric pressure surges (takeoff and landing aircraft, when climbing) - aerotitis;
- pressure drop when immersed deeply in the water and the emersion (mareotit);
- weakening the body's defenses (nerve strain, fatigue, chronic diseases, e.g., diabetes);
- in children because of the unformed immunity.
External otitis occur at a trauma auricle, with the development furuncle in the external auditory canal or as a complication of otitis media with suppuration of the middle ear.
Labyrinthitis (inflammation of the inner ear) is a complication of otitis media.
symptoms of otitis
otitis externa
Under the action of various factors (insect bites, scratches and microtrauma of the ear, etc.) infectious agent penetrates into the sebaceous glands or hair follicles in the ear pass.
In the case of local acute purulent otitis externa (boil in the ear canal), the patient complains of pain in the ear, which are amplified at a pressure or pulling on it.
There is also a mouth opening tenderness and pain when administered to the ear funnel for inspection of the external auditory canal. Externally auricle swollen and reddened.
Acute infectious diffuse purulent otitis media is caused by inflammation of the middle ear and suppuration from it. Thus the external auditory meatus infected due to irritation of its pus. Sometimes the process involves the eardrum.
When viewed marked swelling and redness of the skin of the auditory meatus, pus from it is separated from the odorous. The patient complains of pain, which are replaced by itching and nasal ear.
otitis media
Otitis media occurs in several stages.
1. In a first step the patient complains of pain in the ear, the nature of which may vary (throbbing, shooting, Boring).
In acute rises sharply during body temperature (to 38 ° C and above). The peculiarity of the pain that it is enhanced by night, interfering with sleep. This feature is due to the pressure in the tympanic cavity effusion on the eardrum to the inner side.
It is characteristic for the first step that the head is tilted to the side of the ear of the patient is amplified pain. The pain radiates to the jaw, eye or temple, and can spread to the entire half of the head.
The patient complains of hearing loss, noise and ringing in the ear.
2. Starting the second stage it is connected with perforation (breakthrough) eardrum. The pain subsides, from the external auditory meatus follows pus. The body temperature is reduced to normal values.
3. The third stage is marked by the gradual cessation of suppuration, the eardrum scarring, inflammation subsides. The main complaint of patients - a hearing loss.
internal otitis
A characteristic feature is the internal otitis dizziness. In addition, dizziness accompanied by nausea and vomiting, imbalance, considerable noise in the ears and hearing loss.
Internal otitis occurs as a complication or continuation of otitis media.
Diagnostics
After anamnesis and complaints physician conducts otoscopy (examination of the external auditory meatus) with reflector illuminated and other special tools.
In addition, the doctor must examine the nasal cavity and oropharynx and, if necessary, appoint a radiological examination of the nasal and frontal sinuses.
Also shown is a complete blood count, which revealed signs of inflammation (accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, increased number of leukocytes).
To verify hearing level assigned audiometry (air conduction estimate). To determine bone conduction are forks.
In the event of the expiration of pus from the external auditory meatus produce fence on his bacteriological research, which will help to identify the pathogen and its sensitivity to antibiotics.
In order to eliminate a tumor or ear otitis complications (mastoiditis) appointed CT scan.
treatment for otitis
Treatment of otitis media has been doctor-otolaryngologist (ENT).
Treating the outer mold
Otitis externa is treated on an outpatient basis. Appointed local therapy: the ear canal inserted turundy soaked in 70% alcohol, warming packs, vitamins and physiotherapy. Antibiotics are prescribed only when it is expedient to significant inflammation and fever.
otitis media treatment
Patients with otitis media usually hospitalized.
1. In the first step are assigned antibiotics orally or parenterally administered (usually by injection) - ceftriaxone, amoxiclav, clindamycin; and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the relief of pain and reduce inflammation (diclofenac, indomethacin).
To restore drainage into the Eustachian tube appointed drops, constricts blood vessels in the nasal mucosa (naftizin, galazolin) for a period of 4-5 days. The buried ear drops with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects (Sofradeks, otipaks, camphor oil).
2. In some cases, drainage of pus and pain relief dissection is carried out eardrum. After opening of the tympanic membrane (or a self-curative) introduced in the tympanic cavity antibacterial solutions (tsipromed, Otofa).
3. Therapy aims at the third stage to restore patency of the auditory tubes, the tympanic membrane integrity or elasticity. In this step of blowing appointed auditory tube and the eardrum massage.
labyrinthitis treatment
When labyrinthitis (otitis inner ear) and patients hospitalized. Intensive therapy: bed rest, antibiotics in shock doses and dehydration therapy.
The duration of treatment of otitis media depends on the stage and severity of the process and must be at least 10 days.
Complications and prognosis
If otitis carried out improper treatment, or it was not brought to an end, then the following complications:
- mastoiditis (inflammation of the mastoid) - requires surgical intervention;
- meningitis;
- brain abscess.
The prognosis for the proper and timely treatment of otitis favorable.
