When there is an inflammation at the middle ear it is called Otitis Media. Otitis Media occurs mostly in children between the ages of 3 months and 3 years. This happens to children at this age due to the position of their eustachian tube. Otitis Media in adults is more serious than in children.

otitis media cause

Middle ear is infected when there is a malfunction with the eustachian tube. There is a canal that links the middle ear to the throat area. The eustachian tube helps equalizing the pressure between the outer ear and the middle ear. When this tube is not working properly, it prevents normal drainage of fluid from the middle ear, causing a build up of fluid behind the eardrum. When this fluid cannot drain, it habours the growth of bacteria and viruses in the ear which eventually leads to Acute Otitis Media.

Otitis Media symptoms

The onset of signs and symptoms of ear infection is usually rapid.

Children

Signs and symptoms common in children include:

• Ear pain, especially when lying down
• Fever
• Trouble sleeping
• Crying more than usual
• Diarrhoea
• Trouble hearing or responding to sounds
• Loss of balance
• Vomiting
• Drainage of fluid from the ear
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

Adults

Common signs and symptoms in adults include:

• Ear pain
• Drainage of fluid from the ear
• Trouble hearing

otitis media types

Infections can affect the middle ear in several ways.

• Acute otitis media- This middle ear infection occurs suddenly. It causes swelling and redness. Fluid and Pus become trapped under the eardrum (tympanic membrane). You can have a fever and ear pain.
• Chronic otitis media- This is a middle ear infection that does not go away, or happens repeatedly, over months,even to years. The ear may drain (have liquid coming out of the ear canal). It can often be accompanied by a tympanic membrane perforation and hearing loss. Usually chronic otitis media is not painful.
• Acute Otitis media with effusion- Fluid (effusion) and mucus build up in the middle ear after an infection goes away. You may feel like your middle ear is full. This can continue for months and may affect your hearing. This is also sometimes called serous otitis media.
• Chronic otitis media with effusion- Fluid (effusion) remains in the middle ear for a long time. Or it builds up again and again, even though there is no infection. It may also affect your hearing

otistis media treatment

• Antibiotic medication by mouth or ear drops
• Analgesic for pain
• Rarely myringotomy. (A small tube is inserted into the eardrum to drain fluid and keep the middle ear ventilated

Otitis Media complication

Ear infections that happen again and again can lead to serious complications:

• Impaired hearing
• Tearing of the eardrum
• Permanent hearing loss
• Mastoditis
• Brain abscess
• Problems with speech and language development

Do not self medicate. Visit your primary health physician when the pain doesn’t subside. Applying a little drop of olive oil in the eardrum soothe the pain.