Otitis Media
Otitis media is caused by blockage of the eustachian tube during an upper respiratory illness, allergies, or a cold. As the body fights the presence of bacteria or a virus, pus and mucus build up behind the eardrums which disrupt the carefully maintained pressure of the inner and middle ear. When this occurs, the area swells and grows red, causing pain and a loss of hearing. At times, this will lead to a rupture of the eardrum, where the fluid buildup will spill out of the ear. More frequently, however, the fluid will remain in the ear and cause further infections, leading to chronic ear infections which can last for years and cause permanent damage.
If a child is pulling at or scratching his or her ears, crying often, running a fever, vomiting, or extremely irritable, those symptoms may be signs that your child is suffering from an ear ache. In adults, the symptoms are often described as a sense of pressure in the ears, dizziness, loss of hearing, fever, ear drainage, or nausea and vomiting.
In diagnosing the problem, a doctor will use an otoscope to examine the ear for signs of infection. This will include looking for fluid behind the eardrum, or redness or inflammation. The doctor will also check to see if the eardrum moves when air pressure is applied. In the case of movement, it is highly likely that the patient is suffering from an ear infection. Barring the physical examination, a doctor may also utilize either an audiogram or tympanogram.
Copyright ENT & Allergy Associates
Physicians:
12/14/2011
