Causes, Symptoms, And Diagnosis Of Otitis Media. Otitis media is an infection that occurs in the middle ear. I.e. on the space behind the eardrum, in which there are three small bones that captures the vibrations and transmits them to the inner ear. This condition is also known as the inflammation of the middle ear.
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| Causes, Symptoms, And Diagnosis Of Otitis Media |
Causes Of Otitis Media
Otitis media is largely caused by bacterial or viral infection that spreads to the middle ear. Infections that occur eventually led to a buildup of phlegm or mucous in the middle part of the ear. Due to these conditions, the channel the eustachian (a small channel that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose) will have blockage and inflammation.
The main function of the eustachian channels is maintain the air pressure in the ears to stay normal. In addition, the channel is useful to dry out the mucous or phlegm and other impurities from the middle ear. When a channel clogged Eustachian or inflammation, mucosal can't dry properly, making the infection more easily occur.
One of the networks that exist in the back of the throat, glands, adenoidal problems can also inhibit the eustachian channels in case of enlargement. This condition will cause mucous build-up and ends at the middle ear infections. If ear infections often occur, the gland adenoidal problems could be lifted.
Risk Factors
Risk of clogging and higher infection occurs in children because they have smaller Eustachian ducts and glands adenoidal problems greater than adults. Here are some factors that can increase the risk of experiencing otitis media, namely:
- Aged under 10 years of age, especially infants aged 6-15 months.
- Being around smokers.
- The season or weather when many children stricken with flu and colds.
- Being in child care so that the risk of contracting infections from other children improve.
- Wear a dot.
- Do not consume BREAST MILK, thus drinking infant formula.
- Feed the children when they are lying down.
- Suffering from cleft lip.
- Suffering from Down syndrome.
Symptoms Of Otitis Media
The appearance of symptoms of otitis media usually begins 2-7 days after the start of symptoms of colds or other respiratory infections. Most of the symptoms appearing on otitis media will improve quickly and recover in a few days. This condition is often referred to by the term acute otitis media. Symptoms that appear are:
- Fever.
- Ear pain.
- Feeling unwell.
- Feeling exhausted.
- A bit of a loss of the sense of hearing.
- Out of the fluid in the ear.
In addition to acute otitis media, otitis media chronic supuratif (OMSK). Chronic supuratif otitis media is an infection of the ear defenders for several months and caused a discharge of fluid from the ears without the pain. The condition is more rare than OMSK otitis media acute.
Below are the symptoms that appear in infants due to otitis media, be sure to pay attention to the following signs because the baby can not explain pain or discomfort they feel.
- Pulling, grasping, and scratched his ears.
- Pain in the ear while lying down.
- Cry more often than usual.
- Loss of appetite.
- Does not react with the sound of softly or quietly.
- Hard to sleep at night.
- Loss of balance.
- Cough-cough.
- Runny nose.
- Diarrhea.
Although he can recover by itself in a few days, there are some symptoms that may require that you immediately get medical handling or treatment of, for example:
- Symptoms that appear not improved after three days.
- The pain that is felt quite severe.
- Fluid or pus coming out of the ears.
- Have a congenital medical condition such as cystic fibrosis, or heart disease from birth.
- Baby or child could not sleep and cranky.
Diagnosis Of Otitis Media
To determine a diagnosis on otitis media or middle ear infection, the doctor will use a tool called otoskop. Otoskop is a small tool with a lamp and a magnifying glass at the end. With otoskop, doctors can detect the presence of fluid in the middle ear. If there is fluid in the middle ear or infection, signs that appear are:
- Eardrum swell.
- Have a different color than usual.
- The formation of a hole in the eardrum.
- The emergence of fluid in the ear canal.
To check whether there is a blockage in the middle ear, otoskop could also be used for blowing air into the ear. If it is true there is a blockage, this can indicate the onset of infection. The eardrum will move a bit if the channel is clean and does not move the eustachian if clogged.
If you still suspect with the results of the initial diagnosis was done, the doctor may need to do further tests. A follow-up test is also useful if the treatment did not work and appear complications due to otitis media. These advanced tests will be performed by doctor ear, nose, and throat (ENT). Tests that may be performed are:
- Audiometry. This function tests determine if one loses the sense of hearing or not. A tool named the audiometer is used to produce the sound with the volume level and frequency vary.
- Timpanometri. Function measures the reaction of the eardrum to changes in air pressure. Healthy eardrums will move if there is a change in air pressure. If the eardrum remained silent, then chances are there was fluid behind it.
- Imaging. This procedure is quite a rare thing to do. CT scan and MRI may be necessary if infection has already spread to the middle ear and the surrounding tissue.
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