Symptoms and treatment of acute otitis media in adults

Otitis is an infectious and inflammatory process,which can affect absolutely all parts of the ear. It is one of the most famous pathologies in the practice of ENT doctors, accompanied by discomfort and can even cause hearing loss. Therefore, the question of how to treat acute otitis in adults is relevant for many patients.

Nature of the disease

This is a disease that affects the ears. At the moment of malaise, an active inflammatory process develops, which causes discomfort. The person's ear does not end only on the auricle, thanks to which you can catch the sounds. This organ is considered quite complex, because all its basic elements are located deep in the head. It is divided into external, internal and secondary. Each of these lobes can undergo an inflammatory process.

Otitis is a fairly serious disease. All dangerous complications develop when there is no timely treatment. Measures should be performed only under the supervision of an otolaryngologist. If self-medication is present, the ailment can be transferred to a chronic form or even brought to a fatal outcome.

Classification

Otitis in adults manifests itself in different ways and includes a large group of ear diseases. Depending on the rapidity and duration of the disease, the following stages are observed:

• acute;
• chronic.

By localization, diseases can be divided into three forms:

• external - an inflammatory process of the skin in the auricle or an auditory external course, manifests itself in the form of an eczema, dermis, erysipelas, furunculosis and sulfur plug;
• average - is considered the most frequent form and occurs after infectious catarrhal diseases as a complication;
• internal - an inflammatory process, which is formed in the inner ear.

According to the nature of manifestation, the ailment is divided into:

• Purulent - during its course, many putrefactive deposits are formed;
• catarrhal - characterized by hyperemia and edema, during which blood vessels are filled with blood;
• exudative - proceeds with the formation of effusions.

Depending on the origin of isolated:

• bacterial;
• traumatic;
• viral.

Causes

Contrary to popular belief, acute otitis in adults is most often not associated with exposure to drafts alone, hypothermia, water ingestion and walking in the cold season without a hat.

Most often, such an ailment develops due to the entry of various pathogenic viruses and bacteria into the ear area during:

• inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs, directly through the ear tube;
• wrong blowing, which is performed immediately by two nostrils and during this period the contents of the nose fall into the area of ​​inflammation;
• infectious diseases (SARS, influenza, measles, scarlet fever) from the bloodstream.

In addition, acute otitis media in adults can develop if air entry is difficult due to:

• the presence of adenoids, which are the increased tissue of the pharyngeal tonsil;
• sharp curvature of partitions;
• extension of the posterior ends of the nasal concha;
• at the time of trauma of the tympanic membrane, when exposed to the middle part of the ear from the external environment infection, it is also called posttraumatic otitis.

Acute diffuse otitis externa appears ina period of inflammatory processes that significantly cover the subcutaneous layers of the external ear and skin. The main cause of the disease can be infection of the nasopharynx with bacteria or fungi, which result from:

• incorrect manipulations in hygiene, which are carried out at home;
• injuries;
• hit of chemicals and foreign objects;
• burns.

Symptoms of acute otitis media in adults

The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

• occurrence of several or one boils at the site of injury;
• edema of the external ear;
• significant increase in temperature, not lower than 38;
• painful sensations;
• enlargement of lymph nodes.

Symptoms of such a disease can be enoughdiverse and manifest in a different form. One of the main signs of pathology is the appearance of noise, congestion and pain in the affected organ. The malaise may not be strong, but can be painful, and even felt deep in the ear, spread in the temporal or occipital area, sometimes reflected in the teeth. It should be noted that in this case, toothache can manifest so dramatically and significantly that the patient does not think about other symptoms and directly appeals to the dentist. Such feelings disturb the patient's sleep, can have a piercing, pulsating and aching character, and become more significant at the time of blowing, sneezing, swallowing and coughing.

There are still additional symptoms in which it is necessary to begin treatment of acute otitis media in adults:

• hearing loss;
• an increase in lymph nodes, which provoke soreness;
• discharge from the ear.

All of the above signs can exist both from the side of both ears (bilateral), and one of them (one-sided).

This ailment is often accompanied by the main signs of intoxication, namely, a sharp rise in temperature and total malaise. And also there can be reactions from the nasopharynx:

• nasal congestion and discharge from it;
• pain and sore throat.

Stages of

This disease can occur in different ways, so it is classified into several stages.

Catarrhal otitis is considered the initial stage of the disease and is expressed by the following symptoms:

• obstruction of the ear;
• a significant deterioration in overall well-being;
• severe pain of the affected organ.

Upon examination, the doctor observes:

• the auricle is painless;
• a wide external auditory canal is visible;
• fluid in the tympanic membrane is not collected.

If it is wrong to treat acute otitis in adults at this stage, then it can be achieved that it goes into a purulent form, and this is a serious indication for hospitalization.

Such inflammation, in turn, can be divided into two types.

1. The preoperative stage corresponds to a state in which a significant amount of pus accumulates in the integrity criteria of the tympanic membrane in the middle ear cavity as a result of the growing inflammatory process. He is characterized by the following symptoms:

• increased ear and headache;
• the hearing in the affected area worsens;
• there is a significant stuffiness of the ear and noise in it.

To diagnose the stage at the time of examination, the doctor does not observe the discharge of excreta, and a purulent discharge is visible behind the red tympanic membrane.

2. The perforated stage is the defeat of the middle part of the hearing organ, in which if you do not know how to treat acute otitis adult, and start it, the following symptoms will appear:

• a significant suppuration is formed;
• due to the fact that a strong pressure is formed, a full rupture of the tympanic membrane occurs inside the ear canal
• After all the contents flow, the intensity of pain gradually decreases.

When examined by a specialist, there is a lack of integrity of the tympanic membrane and there are purulent masses in the auditory canal, which perfectly flow through the perforation at the time of blowing the ears.

Diagnostics

Often under the symptoms of otitis otherailments, therefore it is not recommended to treat yourself independently. Precisely to establish the diagnosis can only the doctor-otolaryngologist. In order to expose the verdict, the specialist performs a questioning of the patient and examines the ear of his patient. More often than not, information and data from an anamnesis obtained in the course of physiological examination is sufficient to reveal the presence of acute otitis media in adults. Treatment of pathology is prescribed only after the formation of an accurate diagnosis.

If the symptoms are not expressed, then the doctor necessarily sends for additional studies.

1. For the diagnosis of external otitis media appliedotoscopy, pneumonic otoscopy and omicroscopy are the main methods of examining the external auditory canal and the drum membrane using special medical instruments.
2. For the confirmation of otitis media, thetympanometry is a special test for the mobility of the tympanic membrane and patency of the auditory ossicles. And also acoustic reflectometry is performed - for registration of the in-ear muscles for sound stimulation. Computer and magnetic resonance imaging is performed only if there is a suspicion of intracranial or purulent complications.
3. To identify internal otitis media usedvarious studies of hearing to help test the nerve, which is sent to the brain from the inner ear directly. Electronystomography is done to record rhythmic or arrhythmic movements of the eyeballs. Computer or magnetic resonance imaging to identify various pathologies of the brain.

Treatment

Acute otitis media in adults is a common problem. Therefore, it is necessary to use the right methods for its therapy.

Vessoconstrictive drops are often used in the nose,since they allow to reduce edema of the mucous cover of the Eustachian tube. Such drugs include "Galazolin", "Naphthyzin", "Nazol" and many others, they simply become mandatory if you suspect a pathology.

Locally in the auditory canal begin to entersolutions of antiseptics. Not so long ago boric acid was used for this purpose, and now our doctors often apply it. Although in other countries, more modern and effective drugs are used to treat acute otitis media of the middle ear. It happens that with significant pain, special drops are used that cause anesthesia, and anti-inflammatory hormones are also used. To date, a lot of drugs that are buried in the ear. The most popular of them are "Otinum", "Otipaks", "Sofraks", "Garazon" and dozens of different preparations.

A special role in therapy is played outantibacterial components, so very often used sulfonamides and antibiotics in the treatment of acute otitis in adults. They include - "Amoxicillin", "Cefuroxime", "Ceftriaxone" and "Azithromycin". The use of such tools has a number of features. The drug should not only act on the bacteria, but also well seep into the tympanum.

The given methods of treatment in no eventIt can not be taken into account as a regimen for therapy. This must necessarily be handled by a doctor who has a good qualification. It should be remembered that with the timely and correct treatment of acute otitis media of the middle ear in adults, the ailment ends rather quickly and most often does not form a decrease in hearing. If to delay therapy or to engage in self-medication, then this can result in serious problems. The most harmless, if such an otitis will pass into a chronic form, and a bad option is complete loss of hearing and purulent meningitis.

Do not have to worry much if it starts from the earmanifest suppuration, because with proper therapy at the site of rupture of the drum membrane a small scar is formed, which in the future almost never leads to hearing loss.

Procedure for treatment of acute otitis media in adults:

• immediately seek medical advice from an otolaryngologist;
• when this is not possible, is resolved independentlyuse vasoconstrictor in the nose, perfectly removing the edema, and in the ear to drip the above mentioned drops, which, in addition to the anti-inflammatory action, are able to dissolve perfectly the earwax;
• it is important that the ear is in a dry heat, for this, cotton wool is put into it, and then a scarf or cap is put on;
• you need to know that hot water bottles are not allowed.

All of the above recommendations will not allow you to lose valuable time, such necessary to get to the doctor on time and not get complications.

ethnoscience

In addition to the use of drugs in the treatment of acute otitis in adults, recipes are also used, which can be prepared independently at home.

1. Onions with butter - these ingredients are used whenpurulent leakage of the disease. To do this, you need to make a mush or squeeze out the juice from onions and add a small amount of butter or flaxseed oil. Freshly prepared mass is injected with the tampon into the ear.
2. Chamomile is used to treat acute middleserous otitis media in adults. To do this, a warm solution of it rinses the nose. For cooking you need 1 tsp. dry component for a cup of boiling water. Give a good brew and strain. In case the pain is very severe, it is necessary, undoubtedly, to go to the doctor, since the inflammatory process quickly passes to the periosteum and causes damage to the meninges.
3. For the treatment of acute purulent otitis media in adultsAlso used is a collection of forest angelica, peppermint, coconut lavender 3 tbsp. l., medicinal clover - 2 tbsp. L., burdcha ivy - 1 tbsp. l. (it's important to know that the last ingredient is poison, so it's not worth overdoing it). The prepared mixture is poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water or infused with vodka. After preparation, the tampon is wetted into the liquid and inserted into the diseased ear. It also works great if there is hearing loss.
4. Juice from walnut leaves is digested 3 drops in each ear with purulent otitis.
5. Flowers of chamomile and sweet potato helpin the treatment of acute serous otitis media in adults. To do this, take in the same parts 2 tbsp. l. collecting and steaming 1 glass of hot water, after insisting 30 minutes and filtering. In the infusion, moisten the tissue and squeeze a little, apply as a compress.
6. Stir bark of oak, rhizome of calamus, rootcinquefoil erect and thyme. For the present it will take 2 tbsp. l. collect wrapped in cloth and put in a glass of boiling water for 4 minutes, then wring out. Such poultices are required to be performed 3-4 times a day.
7. The juice of the leaves of fresh basil is digested 7-10 drops a couple of times a day.
8. Need to prepare 2 tbsp. l. a rhizome of a blood-groove medicinal and to fill in it with 2 cups of boiled water, to warm up on a water bath of 30 minutes, and after for 15 minutes to insist. Use 3-4 times a day for 1 tbsp. l. with purulent flow.

Complications

If it is improper to treat symptomsacute otitis in adults, then this form can go into the chronic. The triggered stage leads to a partial or complete defect in the tympanic membrane and a periodically renewed or uninterrupted release of pus from the ear. In the end, the patient is deafened.

Complications are not so common, manypromptly and promptly turn to the doctor for help, as they understand how much such treatment is important. If the disease is allowed to drift, the following problems can arise:

• choleostomy, proliferation of tissues behind the tympanic membrane, which worsens hearing;
• destruction of auditory ossicles of the middle ear, namely the malleus, anvil and stapes;
• mastoiditis is an inflammatory lesion in the temporal bone of the mastoid process;
• rupture of the tympanic membrane, as a rule, that such a wound healed, it takes about two weeks.

The above complications are not suchAs dangerous as the intracranial can become. If you do not know how to treat acute otitis media in adults, this can lead to even an abscess of the brain, meningitis, focal encephalitis and hydrocephalus. Such problems are very rare, but still they happen and are considered extremely dangerous. Complications that affect the brain can lead to death.

Recommendations

In order for the treatment to be successful, it is necessaryto comply with bed rest. Adults and busy people need at least a couple of days to stay at home on sick leave and not go to sports training. It is very important both physical and spiritual peace, as it promotes recovery.

All the advice of a doctor must be carried out and strictlyto follow. You can not personally prescribe yourself pharmaceuticals, the only thing that is allowed is to use drops for acute otitis in adults such as "Otipax", as they will significantly improve the condition and help with less pain to get to the doctor. It is not allowed to interrupt the use of drugs after the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease without the appointment of a doctor. And also it is recommended to drink a tablet of "Paracetamol" before going to him, as it will not do any harm to health. This drug is effective and has few contraindications.

Prevention

The best defense is always an attack. Therefore, the use of preventive measures, after the disease has been cured, is necessary.

According to experts, if you follow the recommendations, you can reduce to almost a minimum the risk of otitis media again:

• It is necessary to avoid water ingress into the ears, if this does not work out, then they need to be dried well;
• during the cleaning of the ears it is forbidden to remove all the sulfur, you need to leave at least a little, as it is the protector against getting the infection;
• it is necessary to observe personal hygiene and at the slightest discomfort in the ears it is required to contact the otolaryngologist, because even a small problem can grow into a global one.

It should be noted that with timelytreatment of otitis does not represent anything terrible. Do not engage in self-medication, since without special equipment and knowledge it is impossible to assess the level of the problem. To use folk remedies, of course, is recommended, but only as an addition to the basic drug therapy.