Causes and risk factors
As the names suggest the complaints are caused due to infection. The common causative organisms are Staphylococci, Streptococci, Pneumococcal and Hemophilus influenza. Certain factors which predispose the infection are swimming, unhygienic condition of the ear, Head injury or trauma of the eardrum while cleaning. Middle ear infection can also be caused due to the spread of the upper respiratory infection. Bottle feeding in children in supine position can cause contaminated milk to enter the ear leading to entry of infection.
Clinical presentation
Middle ear infection is of two types -Acute otitis media (This infection occurs suddenly and lasts for a short duration) and Chronic otitis media (In this the inflammation of the middle ear persist for a long time). The patient complains of pain in ear. The pain is dull aching or distressing pain. It may radiate to the gums and teeth or it can also cause headache. Bubbling sound heard by the patient. There occurs difficulty in hearing with a feeling of fullness in ear. Discharges from ear are seen. Initially they are watery later they become thick, purulent yellow or green color. At times the discharges can be foul smelling. The person can hear the echo of his own voice. Giddiness along with fever is other associated symptom seen. Otitis media can lead to various complications like mastoiditis, mastoid abscess, labryinthitis, meningitis and even brain abscess.
Investigations
Diagnosis is done on the basis of the symptoms narrated and the physical examination
The auditory tests which are carried out the turning fork test and audiometery. Routine blood test and Cultures of discharges for causative organism can be done. If required an X-ray of the mastoid is advised.
Treatment
The treatment consists of administration of analgesic for relieving pain and antibiotics are prescribed to combat the infection. Local ear drops can be given Care should be taken to prevent the water to enter the ear and discharges should be cleaned with cotton.
Other modes of treatment:
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating the middle ear infection. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. The Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbs and synthetic derivates can also be beneficial in combating the complaints.
Recent update:
According to researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center middle ear infections, which affect more than 85 percent of children under the age of 3, can be triggered by a viral infection in the nose rather than solely by a bacterial infection.
