Otitis Media

Infection in the area behind the eardrum is known as Otitis media or an  ear infection. The middle ear contains  the three small bones of the ear .The infection is caused by the  bacterias and viruses.Children are more prone to these infections than adults.These ear infections generally get cleared on their own , sometimes medications like antibiotics are needed  for its clearance.If left untreated it can lead to severe complications.

Infection in the area behind the eardrum is known as Otitis media or an  ear infection. The middle ear contains  the three small bones of the ear .The infection is caused by the  bacterias and viruses.Children are more prone to these infections than adults.These ear infections generally get cleared on their own , sometimes medications like antibiotics are needed  for its clearance.If left untreated it can lead to severe complications.

Causes

1. Otitis Media is caused by an infection of the Eustachian tube, which prevents fluid from draining from the middle ear, resulting in increased fluid behind the eardrum, allowing bacteria and viruses to grow.
2. A cold or allergy causes inflammation and congestion of the nasal, eustachian tube lining, and throat.
3. Otitis media is an infection in the swollen Eustachian tube and swelling in Adenoids.

Symptoms3,4

Symptoms in Children are as follows:

Pain and irritation in the ear

Difficulty in sleeping

High fever

Brown, white, or yellow fluid discharge from the ear

Difficulty in hearing

Pressure in the middle ear causes difficulty in swallowing, leading to loss of appetite

Loss of Balance

Symptoms in adults are as follows

1. Pain in the ear
2. In the ear, there is a feeling of fullness 
3. Draining of fluid from the ear
4. Fever
5. Hearing loss

Diagnosis

Otitis Media is diagnosed by ear examination and performing a few tests.

1. Ear Examination: By using an instrument called an Otoscope ear is examined. The eardrum of a healthy person will be pinkish-grey in colour and transparent. The eardrum may be inflamed, enlarged, or red if an infection occurs.
2. Tympanometry: Air pressure is used in tympanometry to examine the fluid present in the middle ear.
3. Hearing test: If there are long-term or periodic ear infections in the middle ears, an audiologist will perform a hearing test to determine hearing loss. 
4. Tympanocentesis: Tympanocentesis is a procedure that involves piercing the eardrum and draining fluid from the middle ear. Bacteria and Viruses are detected in the fluid.

Treatment

1. Ear infections typically improve after a few days of onset and clear up on their own in one to two weeks without treatment. In severe cases, treatment includes:
2. Management of Pain: Pain can be managed using over-the-counter medications like Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, etc. Anaesthetic drops are used if the eardrum does not have a hole or tear; these may be utilised to ease the pain.
3. Antibiotics: If bacteria are responsible for causing ear infections, antibiotics are recommended. Doctors delay the treatment for three days before giving antibiotics to see if the illness is cured. Antibiotics may be begun immediately if an ear infection is severe.
4. Myringotomy: A myringotomy is a surgical technique that involves making a small incision in the eardrum to drain fluid from the middle ear. To help ventilate the middle ear and stop the accumulation  of extra fluids, a tiny tube is placed in the opening. The tubes remain in place for 4 to 18 months before falling out naturally.

Risks if not treated in time

Delay in treatment may result in causing problems like:

1. The long-term existence of fluid in the middle ear can increase the pressure causing a tear in the eardrum.
2. Hear loss caused by otitis media is usually temporary, untreated otitis media may lead to permanent hearing impairment.
3. Persistent fluid in the middle ear and chronic otitis media can reduce a child's hearing at a time that is critical for speech and language development.

How to prepare for Doctor Consultation?

1. Make an appointment before consulting the doctor.
2. The doctor may ask questions related to the condition like signs and symptoms, medical history, medications, and duration of appearance of symptoms.
3. The doctor performs a physical examination to know about the condition.
4. You can ask the following questions to the doctor:
5. Is the condition treatable?
6. How long do I need to continue the treatment?
7. Will the condition affect my personal or professional life?
8. What is the best  treatment option available for me?