Otitis Media

Otitis media is a term used for any type of inflammation of the middle ear; there are actually a few different types of otitis media and it is important to distinguish between the types, as treatment options vary. Acute otitis media involves inflammation due to infection associated with pus and fluid; people who are suffering from acute otitis media will experience pain and often fever. This form of otitis usually follows a cold or upper respiratory infection and is associated with a runny or stuffy nose.

Otitis media with effusion, on the other hand, often follows acute otitis media and involves fluid in the middle ear without signs of infection, such as pain or fever; this type of otitis has also been called glue ear, serous otitis media or primary secretory otitis media and usually causes hearing problems. The last type of otitis is characterized by discharge that lasts longer than two weeks.

Bacteria, viruses and even fungi can be the culprits causing the infection leading to otitis media. These bacteria migrate into the ear from the Eustachian tubes, which connect the throat area to the ear. Malfunctioning of the tubes, which are responsible for regulating air flow, can also lead to infection. When air is not circulated properly, the right conditions are created for bacterial growth.

Otitis media is very common in children because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than adult tubes. Furthermore, the Eustachian tubes of children are more easily obstructed, given the fact that they are narrow and less stiff. Risk factors for serous otitis media (as well as for the other types of otitis media) also include the incompletely developed immune system of children. Despite the higher prevalence in children, though, adult otitis media does occur.

There is quite a bit of research being done on otitis media. Studies are being done on otitis media and aboriginal indigenous children, who seem to suffer greatly from middle ear infections. There are also studies investigating the proper nursing care plan for otitis media, risk factors for conjunctivitis-otitis media syndrome and the proper diet for patients with otitis media (given the fact that many food allergies worsen infections).

Parents can check for ear infections at home using otitis media detector tips and decide whether to call their physicians. Traditionally, antibiotics were used as first-line otitis media treatment; for example doctors would give ciprofloxacin (cipro) for otitis media. Nowadays, however, more and more doctors are choosing to let the ear infection clear up on its own. There are certain individuals with certain conditions that may need treatment to prevent otitis media complications.

Medications may be given only for pain and fever. Children with speech delay or persistent hearing loss, however, may need ear tube surgery, in which tubes are surgically inserted into the eardrum; these tubes have the function of draining fluid from the middle ear and equalizing ear pressure. Ear tube surgery may be needed to treat cases of serous otitis media as well.