Otitis media caused by blockage of the eustachian tube and the stagnation of fluid in the middle ear. Often the cause – the penetration of microorganisms (mainly bacteria) from the pharynx to the Eustachian tube and middle ear. Otitis occurs most often in infants and children. The reason for this is that the Eustachian tube in young children lies in the horizontal plane between the middle ear and the nasopharynx. As a result of the microorganisms can easily penetrate the pharynx to the middle ear. In older children, the position of the Eustachian tube is shifted to the vertical, which hinders the penetration of microorganisms into the middle ear.
Big mucus in children with allergies, increases the risk of otitis media, as the swollen adenoids (one of the pairs of tonsils, located behind the nose) often block the Eustachian tubes. Children with the risk of upper respiratory tract infections, such as those who live with smokers are more likely to get sick otitis.
Due to the high pressure in the middle ear, the eardrum may rupture. Subsequent rupture causes scarring, and if repeated discontinuities and scarring , may become chronic loss of hearing.
Otitis in children: risk factors
- artificial feeding;
- low immunity;
- sexual identity (according to statistics, often suffer from otitis boys than girls);
- SARS, the cold season;
- passive smoking, which leads to decreased immunity and constant irritation of the nasal cavity;
- genetic predisposition
Symptoms of otitis in children
Most often, children otitis begins with pain and noise in the affected ear (or both at the bilateral otitis). Later may increase body temperature, deteriorating health and a headache. The child becomes sluggish, sleeps poorly, losing appetite.
In infants disturbed sleep and sucking (as an act of feeding causes severe pain in the ear). The kid turns his head from side to side, shouting when you click on the tragus of the ear .
If left untreated otitis media may purulent fusion of the eardrum from the outer ear. Next acute process may become chronic, leading to the appearance of ear pain during any cold.
Complications of otitis
Otitis media is dangerous for its complications. The fact is that sometimes recognize otitis not straightforward. It is, for example, are not always accompanied by severe pain in the ear. Symptoms of the disease are often disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. This is due to the fact that the middle ear and abdomen innervated one nerve. So when ill ear, in young children may predominate symptoms of the intestine: distension, regurgitation, vomiting, delayed stool. That is, the symptoms may resemble, for example, appendicitis or colic.
Often infants with similar symptoms hits the ENT department of the hospital, and surgical. But surgeons – people are literate, so examination of these children, they begin with an invitation ENT doctor. Only after excluding the diagnosis of “acute otitis media” they do further diagnostics.
If the mother is taken for self-treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, regardless of other symptoms, otitis can develop into a serious complication such as otoantrit. Infection of the middle ear behind the ear enters and infects another pneumatic cavities of the middle ear. Appears protruding pinna, redness, swelling, again there is an increase in temperature.
Among other complications of acute otitis media can be called facial nerve paresis, chronic otitis media, hearing loss, loss of the vestibular apparatus and meningitis.
Diagnosing otitis in children
Children otitis diagnoses otolaryngologist on the basis of a thorough examination and questioning about the origin and development of the unpleasant symptoms. Sometimes it can be taken swab from the ear of the child to determine the causative agent.
Treatment of infantile otitis
Otitis media – rather serious disease. That is why it should be treated qualified doctor. Self-medication is not allowed.
With otitis prescribe antibiotics, such as Generic Ceclor (Cefaclor), Generic Principen (Ampicillin), Generic Zithromax (Azithromycin) and others (which you can buy online through the Internet that will cost you cheap or with good discounts). After subacute recommended physiotherapy.
Some children after suffering otitis media may be a temporary hearing loss. When this problem occurs, immediately seek otolaryngologist and warn teachers in the school and a kindergarten teacher.
If the child use the swimming pool before the disease he should stop training. In chronic otitis swimming lessons are not recommended.
Prevention of otitis media in children:
- hardening;
- wearing hats in cold and windy weather;
- timely treatment of the common cold;
- clean air in the apartment;
- Do not smoke at the child
Otitis in children is a serious disease which requires good treatment and prevention. Self-medication and superficial attitude unacceptable.
