2023-05-26 17:54:59
The health of the ear is the health of the nose and throat, so otitis media can occur as a result of germs in the respiratory tract. What are the causes of this inflammation? And what is the treatment? How is prevention?
These and other questions we directed to Dr. Muhammad Atta Handous, an assistant professor at Weill Cornell College of Medicine, a senior consultant physician, and holder of the “American Board”, and we convey the answers he provided to Al Jazeera Net through these points:
Colds
Otitis media occurs as a result of inflammation or infection in it, and it can occur as a result of colds, sore throats, or respiratory infections.
The age of the child’s injury
The incidence of otitis media peaks between 6 and 12 months of age, and decreases after the age of 5. Approximately 80% of children will suffer from otitis media during their lifetime.
Between 80 and 90% of all children will have otitis media with effusion before school age.
What causes an ear infection?
Middle ear infections may be viral, bacterial, or co-infection. Often, an ear infection begins after a cold or other respiratory infection, and the bacteria or virus travels to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.
Symptoms of otitis media
In most cases, the symptoms of otitis media develop rapidly and disappear within a few days. The main symptoms include:
- earache
- Fever.
- Feeling sick and tired.
- lack of energy
- Slight hearing impairment, if the middle ear is filled with fluid.
- In some cases, a hole may occur in the eardrum, pus may drain from the ear, and then the earache caused by fluid buildup in the eardrum will go away.
Symptoms of otitis media in young children
Because infants and young children are unable to articulate the source of their discomfort, it can be difficult to tell what is in them. Signs that a young child may have an ear infection include:
- High temperature.
- Pulling, tugging or rubbing the child’s ear.
- irritability
- Malnutrition.
- insomnia at night
- Cough.
- Runny nose.
- Not responding to quiet sounds or other signs of hearing difficulty.
- Loss of balance.
How does the injury occur?
The nose and throat are connected to the ears by the Eustachian tube, and when opened, it allows air to enter the middle ear equal to the air pressure behind the eardrum, and prevents the normal drainage of fluids from the middle ear; This causes fluid to build up behind the eardrum.
When this fluid cannot be drained, it allows the growth of bacteria and viruses in the ear that can lead to acute otitis media, and malformation of the Eustachian tube can be a cause or exacerbation factor for otitis media.
factors that increase the incidence
- Being around someone who smokes.
- Family history of ear infections.
- a weak immune system
- not breast-feeding
- the presence of a cold.
- Breastfeeding while lying on the back.
- Age: Infants and young children (6 months to 2 years of age) are more likely to get ear infections.
- Allergies: Allergies cause inflammation (swelling) of the nasal passages and upper respiratory tract, which can lead to enlarged adenoids. Enlarged adenoids can block the Eustachian tubes, preventing ear fluids from draining. This leads to fluid buildup in the middle ear, causing pressure, pain, and possible infection.
- Chronic diseases: People with chronic diseases are more likely to develop ear infections, especially patients with immunodeficiency and chronic respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and asthma.
Treatment of otitis media
Treatment for middle ear infections depends on your age, the severity and nature of the infection (whether it is a first-time infection, persistent infection, or recurrent infection) and if fluid has remained in the middle ear for a long period of time.
Your doctor will recommend medications to relieve pain and fever that you or your child is experiencing. If the ear infection is mild, depending on the child’s age, your doctor may choose to wait a few days to see if the infection clears up on its own before prescribing an antibiotic.
Prevention of otitis media
Many children with middle ear infections have a stuffy nose at the same time. The most important way to prevent ear infections is to treat nasal congestion. Perhaps the best preventive measure is daily nasal irrigation with saline to remove irritants and allergens from the nasopharynx, which is the back part. From the nose, where the opening of the Eustachian tube is located.
Nasal irrigation clears mucus and flushes out pathogens and allergens. Pathogens include germs, such as bacteria and viruses. Allergens include pollen, mold, dirt, dust, and pet dander.
Additional recommendations for the prevention of otitis media
- Breastfeed the baby if possible, as it helps fight infection.
- cleaning hands.
- Encourage children to eat healthy foods.
- Do not smoke around children.
- Get vaccinated. Vaccines can prevent otitis media
- Allergy treatment.
Dr. Hindoos specializes in General Academic Pediatrics at Sidra Medicine in Qatar. He is also the Chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Vice Chair of the Institutional Review Board at Sidra Medicine.
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