Otitis: signs, symptoms, causes, treatment, prevention

Perhaps, otitis can be called a childhood disease. Babies under the age of three years in 80% of cases at least once, but suffered this pathology. By the age of 5-7, otitis appears less often. Adults can also suffer this pathology. However, they often have a complication of a disease. From this article you will learn what otitis symptoms are. Also you will be able to find out the ways of treating this pathology. It is necessary to say, what are the signs of otitis in infants, because a small child can not explain what hurts him.

What is otitis media?

This disease is an inflammation of the ear in different parts of it. In this case, there may be copious discharge from the auditory canal (purulent otitis). However, the pathology is more often acute. Less common is chronic otitis. In this case, the disease has virtually no symptoms, but can greatly harm the health of a person.

Classification

Currently, there are three main types of pathology. Signs of otitis in an adult with different types of illness can be different. So, the pathology occurs in the following form:

• Otitis external. In this case, the skin near the ear canal and the space to the tympanic membrane become inflamed.
• Otitis media is average. Inflammation affects the eardrum, eustachian tube and additional elements. Signs of an average otitis are most often found in children.
• Labyrinth. This form can still bear the name of internal otitis. The inflammatory process develops behind the tympanic membrane and affects the cochlea.

Symptoms of pathology

Otitis symptoms may have different. It all depends on what kind of pathology develops. In most cases, pain occurs. The patient complains of shooting sensations in the ear, which suddenly appear and also spontaneously pass. Signs of otitis in adults can be identified as follows:

• The appearance of inflammation and redness around the entrance to the auditory canal. In this case we are talking about external otitis. Here there is an abscess with a core, which gradually increases in size and turns blue.
• Reddening of the auditory canal and tympanic membrane. Such early signs of otitis often speak of inflammation of the middle ear.
• Appearance of abscess in the region of the tympanic membrane. In this case, we are talking about purulent otitis. The inflamed area grows and after a while opens. It is worth noting that this does not always happen spontaneously.

What are the symptoms of the disease in children?

Signs of otitis in the infant can not always be determined correctly. Often, parents are unable to recognize the cause of the baby's anxiety and start the disease. That is why it is so important to know what otitis symptoms have in young children. The most common manifestations are as follows:

• Restless behavior during the day and sleep disturbance at night;
• Sudden causeless crying;
• The child grabs his ears with his hands and turns his head;
• There is a strong pain when swallowing, so the baby can take his mother's breast and then stand back with a cry;
• When pressing on the tragus of the auricle, the child moves away and begins to cry.

Causes of pathology

So, you know what otitis symptoms have in different cases. What causes the development of the disease?

In most cases, pathology is a complication of a protracted runny nose. This is especially common in children. In the case of incorrect blurring or the position of the head in a dream, the snot flows into the Eustachian tube and causes inflammatory processes.

Also, the disease can develop when ingested into the ear of microbes. So often happens when swimming in public water.

The cause of otitis may be damage to the tympanic membrane and the area of the ear canal. This occurs when the ears are not cleaned properly and because foreign objects are pushed into the ear.

Often, patients can hear the expression "ear puffed up." Indeed, draft and hypothermia can also cause the development of the disease. However, this happens with a general decrease in immunity.

How to cure the disease?

Depending on what otitis symptoms have, a corresponding correction is assigned. Be sure to take into account the age of the patient and the form of pathology. Do not engage in self-assignment, as it can lead to the process's neglect.

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents

To treat otitis often prescribed antimicrobial drugs. They can be used for local effects or taken orally. This includes tablets "Summamed", "Flemoxin", drops in the nose "Isofra", "Protargol", means for processing the ear passes "Otofa", "Otipaks".

It should be noted that ear drops can not be used in the purulent form of otitis. Otherwise, the drug can reach the opened eardrum and cause temporary loss of hearing and severe pain.

Antipyretic and analgesic preparations

If during the pathology a fever has risen or severe pain has occurred, then these medications should be used. When it comes to pediatric otitis, it is better to give drugs before bed. Otherwise, the baby can sleep badly and always worry about the pain. This group includes such means as "Paracetamol", "Nurofen", "Nimulid", "Nyz". All of them are prescribed in a certain dosage according to age.

Surgery

In the purulent form of otitis, when the affected area is not opened by itself, surgical intervention may be necessary. Most often it is carried out in the hospital. The doctor opens the abscess and cleanses his inner cavity. After this, antibacterial therapy and observance of precautionary measures are recommended.

Additional resources

Always with otitis funds for the nose are prescribed. Most often these are vasoconstrictor drugs. They help to remove the edema and improve the permeability of the walls for the action of drugs.

Heating can also be prescribed with camphor oil. In this case, the cotton swab impregnated with the drug is inserted into the ear passage for a while. If necessary, the doctor prescribes treatment of the throat, since these organs are closely related.

Prevention

To avoid illness, you should carefully monitor your health. Observe the following rules and you will be able to protect yourself as much as possible:

• Clean the ears with special means with a stop.
• Do not put anything in your ears.
• After bathing, shake out the water from the ear.
• Avoid getting liquid from open reservoirs into the ear canal.
• In time, heal a runny nose and sore throat.
• Do not engage in self-targeting, visit the orthorhinolaryngologist if necessary.
• Avoid drafts and hypothermia.
• Increase immunity and temper.

Apply preventive measures and do not be ill!