The ear is the organ of hearing and balance that detects sound by converting sound waves into electrochemical impulses and maintains a sense of balance. It is divided into the outer ear (outer ear), middle ear (middle ear), and inner ear (inner ear). The outer ear collects sound waves and sends them to the eardrum (tympanum) in the middle ear, and the middle ear transmits the air vibrations transmitted to the ear to fluid vibrations in the cochlea. to the inner ear, and the inner ear transmits the received electric shock to the brain in the form of sound.
The middle ear refers to the space between the ear canal and the cochlea, where there is a 3 to 4 cm long tube called the ear tube or eustachian tube connected to the innermost space of the nose (nasal cavity). It functions to regulate the pressure. There are tiny cilia on the walls of the Eustachian tube that help the secretions from the middle ear pass through the nasopharynx and into the nose.
Hearing loss is the most serious disease that occurs in the ear, but the number of patients is the most caused by infection with bacteria or viruses in the ear. Until 2019, the number of otitis media patients exceeded 2 million each year, but due to the impact of COVID-19, it has significantly decreased to 1.4 million in 2020 and 1.06 million in 2021.
Otitis media is divided into acute and chronic, and since most otitis media does not become chronic, acute otitis media accounts for most. Acute otitis media can occur at any age, but it is most common in infants between 6 and 24 months of age, and it is so common that 80% of children develop otitis media at one time.
Children’s ear canals have a gentle slope and short length, which makes it easy for bacteria or viruses to climb up the ear canal and cause infections. Children are prone to otitis media because they often catch colds. Relatively easy discharge of foreign substances reduces the risk of infection.
The most common and prominent symptoms of otitis media are ear pain, discomfort and pressure, pus discharge, and hearing loss. Very young children, who are unable to express themselves, may experience unusual symptoms such as rubbing or pulling their ears, fever, frequent loss of balance, unresponsiveness to certain sounds, severe headaches, restlessness, or other symptoms that adults experience. , loss of appetite.
Otitis media is usually caused by infection with bacteria or viruses as a complication of the common cold. Sometimes it occurs as a bacterial complication of a viral upper respiratory tract infection or as a result of a viral infection. As risk factors for otitis media, children with a structure prone to otitis media are particularly prone to otitis media when they lie down and drink milk or live in a group. Cigarette smoke exposure, poor air quality, and seasonal allergies also increase otitis media.
Otitis media is often treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antihistamines, and pain relievers are used if there is pain. Antibiotics are effective only for otitis media caused by bacterial complications, and have no effect on otitis media caused by infection with viruses. It must be remembered that it does not
However, otitis media often gets better within 3 days without treatment, and considering that antibiotics do not cure viral otitis media and can cause antibiotic resistance due to antibiotic abuse, it is not a good strategy to use antibiotics right away. none. For this reason, some doctors prescribe antibiotics only when the symptoms of otitis media are severe or do not get better after two or three days.
So, what is the best thing to do when you have otitis media? As with all diseases, it goes without saying that prevention is the best, and prevention is also a great help in getting better after getting sick. Otitis media is also an infectious disease, so it is best to increase immunity, but as the number of otitis media patients, which exceeded 2 million each year, decreased to 1.06 million in 2021 due to efforts to prevent COVID-19, preventing infectious respiratory diseases is also important. It is very helpful for prevention.
To prevent infectious diseases, wash your hands frequently, avoid overcrowded areas, do not give pacifiers to infants, breastfeed if possible, avoid eating while lying down, avoid secondhand smoke, and prevent Keeping your immunizations up to date, etc.
Furthermore, if you maintain the best immunity by living a life-friendly lifestyle that turns on genes well to improve immunity, which plays a decisive role in preventing and curing all infectious diseases (refer to the 6th part of life story), it is important to maintain good health. It will help.
Jaeho Kim, independent researcher