WHAT IS OTITIS MEDIA? Inflammation of the ear that children are prone to from colds and other causes

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Otitis media is a disease caused by bacteria entering the middle ear, a part of the ear.

It can cause earache, difficulty hearing, and ear discharge.

If your child complains of earache or difficulty hearing, see an otolaryngologist immediately.

With proper treatment, the disease can be cured in 1-2 weeks.

Let us introduce otitis media in detail. 

SYMPTOMS OF OTITIS MEDIA

Otitis media is an ear disease that is often heard of, but surprisingly, many people do not know what it is.

The main symptoms of otitis media are as follows

  • Ear pain
  • Drooling in the ear
  • Difficulty in hearing

Ear discharge is a pus-like fluid that comes out of the ear.

My son also had bacterial otitis media, and when I asked him if he could hear, he said he couldn't. Suddenly he said his ears hurt. When I asked him if he could hear the sound, he said he could not.
If he starts saying his ears hurt when he has a cold or something, you should be careful.

CAUSES OF OTITIS MEDIA

Otitis media is a disease in which bacteria enter the middle ear and cause inflammation.
Therefore, it is caused by bacteria or viruses that enter the body during a cold or other illness.

You are especially prone to otitis media if you have a runny nose and sniffle often.

TYPES OF OTITIS MEDIA

There are several types of otitis media, each with different causes and measures.

The main types of otitis media are as follows

  • Acute otitis media
  • Exudative otitis media
  • Chronic otitis media

Let's take a look at each type of otitis media.

ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA

Acute otitis media is caused when a virus that has inflamed the nose or throat enters the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.

It is most common in children between the ages of 1-2 years and 4-6 years.

The main symptoms are earache, fever, difficulty in hearing, and a hole in the eardrum that produces pus called an ear discharge.

EXUDATIVE OTITIS MEDIA

Unlike acute otitis media, exudative otitis media does not cause fever or ear pain.
Exudative otitis media is when fluid called exudate due to inflammation accumulates in the back of the eardrum.
There is no ear pain or fever, and it is difficult to be noticed by others.
The main symptoms are hearing loss, a feeling of stuffiness in the ear, and tinnitus.

Sinusitis, rhinitis, and inflammation of the adenoids, the area where the nose and throat connect, can cause difficulty in hearing because the passage between the nose and ears is blocked.

In children, it is difficult to tell because there is no pain or fever, so watch out if they do not respond when you call out to them.
Be aware that this could be overlooked by childlike behavior, such as being focused on playing and ignoring you when you talk to them.

CHRONIC OTITIS MEDIA

This is a chronic inflammatory condition in which acute otitis media does not heal.
Ear discharge and hearing loss persist for a long time.

The hole in the eardrum may become too large to be sealed, or part of the eardrum may cave in, destroying the surrounding bone.

It is important to treat otitis media well before it becomes chronic.

TREATMENT OF OTITIS MEDIA

The treatment for each type of otitis media differs.

CASE OF ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA

Acute otitis media is treated with drugs to relieve suppuration, pain, and colds.
Usually, it will heal in 1-2 weeks.
However, if it does not heal completely, it may become exudative otitis media or chronic otitis media, so please make sure to visit a hospital for proper treatment.

CASE IF EXUDATIVE OTITIS MEDEIA

This disease is caused by a cold, sinusitis, or adenoids, so it is necessary to treat the disease that is causing it.

In addition, the eardrum may be cut to allow the effusion to drain, or a ventilation tube may be inserted into the eardrum to improve ear drainage.

CASE OF CHRONIC OTITIS MEDIA

Chronic otitis media can be treated surgically.
The mucous membrane behind the eardrum is removed, and an eardioplasty is performed to improve hearing.
If there is ear wax, treatment with medication is also used.

Acute otitis media can be treated relatively simply, but if left untreated and the symptoms worsen, surgery may be necessary.

CHILDREN ARE PRONE TO THIS, SO DON'T OVERLOOK THE SIGNS

It is easy to recognize the symptoms of a fever or earache, but it is not always easy to recognize otitis media.

Be sure that your child's cold is quickly treated and that he or she does not get otitis media.

It is also important to remind your child to stop sniffing when he/she has a cold and not to blow his/her nose vigorously.

You should suspect that your child may have otitis media if you notice any of the following

  • Grumpy and touching his ears
  • Not responding when you call his name
  • Turns up the volume on the TV
  • Going out of his way to turn around and listen with the ear that is easier to hear
  • Fluid coming out of the ear

If left untreated, this can affect hearing.
If you feel something is wrong, see a doctor!

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