Often painful and unpleasant, otitis is an inflammation of the ear that can happen at any age; This pathology therefore affects both adults and children. Elements of information with Dr. Nawara, ENT, in the program “La Grande Forme”.
Otitis is characterized by an infection of the ear following contact with a bacterium, a virus or a fungus, or exposure to too much pressure (snorkeling, scuba diving, airplane). It can affect one or both ears. There are two types of otitis: if the inflammation is localized in the external auditory canal of the ear, it is called otitis externa. And if it touches the eardrum, then it is acute otitis media, explains Dr. Nawara, ENT.
In adults, it is more regarding particular circumstances; unusual outdoor activity, planes or swimming pool, etc. Whereas in children, it is a physiological fragility linked to the nose-ear axis, the Eustachian tube.
Symptoms
- Sharp, stabbing pains
- Ringing in the ear
- Hearing loss
- Fear of heights
- Headache
- Discharge, loss of serous fluid, in the case of otitis externa
