Acute otitis media is an infection, usually caused by a virus, but
sometimes caused by bacteria, which inflames the cells lining the middle
ear cavity. The disorder often develops when viruses from an infection
of the nose and throat, such as a cold or measles, travel along the
eustachian, or auditory, tube to the middle ear. Infection may also
enter through a ruptured eardrum . The disorder is often associated with
nasal allergy .
Middle ear infections occur often in children. At least half of them have an infected middle ear at some time, and often, repeated attacks of the problem occur.
Professional help: Your physician may preÂscribe drugs to help unblock the eustachian tube and clear up the infection.
If your eardrum is bulging, the physician may make a small cut, or myringotomy, in it to relieve the pressure and the pain. If the patient is a child, this may be done in a hospital, with a general anesthetic. The eardrum heals naturally in one to two weeks. Be sure to consult your physician before you stop any treatment. It may take as long as six weeks for the infection to clear up completely.
If a child has repeated middle ear infections, the adenoids may be acting as a reservoir of infection. In such cases, the doctor may suggest that the adenoids be removed. Persistent sinusitis also often leads to middle ear infection.
Your doctor will be able to determine if the middle ear infection has spread to the mastoid process, perhaps requiring a mastoidectomy operation.
Middle ear infections occur often in children. At least half of them have an infected middle ear at some time, and often, repeated attacks of the problem occur.
What are the Symptoms?
There is usually a feeling of fullness in the ear, followed by severe stabbing pain. This pain may prevent sleep and many other normal activities if it is severe and persistent enough. Other symptoms are fever, and hearing loss in the affected ear. If the infection is caused by bacteria and is not treated, the pressure of pus within the middle ear may eventually burst the eardrum. This produces a pus discharge that is accompanied by sudden relief from the pain. If the infection is caused by a virus, the symptoms are similar, but the problem will usually clear up by itself without bursting the eardrum.What should be done?
You should see your physician for treatment as soon as possible.What is the Treatment?
Self-help: To provide some relief from pain, take aspirin and place an electric heating pad on the low temperature setting against the ear. Do not sleep with the heating pad under you. Carefully clean any pus off the pad after use to avoid re-infection.Professional help: Your physician may preÂscribe drugs to help unblock the eustachian tube and clear up the infection.
If your eardrum is bulging, the physician may make a small cut, or myringotomy, in it to relieve the pressure and the pain. If the patient is a child, this may be done in a hospital, with a general anesthetic. The eardrum heals naturally in one to two weeks. Be sure to consult your physician before you stop any treatment. It may take as long as six weeks for the infection to clear up completely.
If a child has repeated middle ear infections, the adenoids may be acting as a reservoir of infection. In such cases, the doctor may suggest that the adenoids be removed. Persistent sinusitis also often leads to middle ear infection.
Your doctor will be able to determine if the middle ear infection has spread to the mastoid process, perhaps requiring a mastoidectomy operation.
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