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Home -> Shop By Store -> Otitis MediaOtitis MediaWhat is Otitis Media?Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. Otitis media can be acute, which means symptoms begin suddenly and are severe; chronic, which means they occur frequently, usually lasting for one month or longer; and with effusion, which means there is fluid behind the ear drum. Causes of Otitis Media The ear consists of the outer, middle, and inner ear. The middle ear is located behind the eardrum, and is connected to the back of the nose by a small tube called the eustachian tube. This tube lets air into the middle ear and allows fluids to drain. Every time you swallow, the eustachian tube opens and keeps pressure equal on each side of the eardrum. However, allergies and viral or bacterial infections that irritate the nasal passages can cause swelling in the eustachian tube. The swelling limits its ability to drain fluids, which build up in the middle ear and create pressure. It’s also easy for bacteria to grow in the trapped fluid. Symptoms of Otitis Media In patients with otitis media, however, inflammation and infection interfere with this normal mechanism for sound conduction, causing decreased hearing. Infection-related pressure changes and fluid accumulation also produce significant ear pain. Other symptoms may include fever; general body discomfort; rubbing or pulling of the ears (in children); and vomiting and diarrhea (in infants). Diagnosis of Otitis Media Your doctor will ask about ear pain, discharge from the ear and fever. He or she will examine the ears with an otoscope — an instrument with a lighted, cone-shaped end piece for inspecting the eardrum and ear canal. Your doctor will look for redness and bulging of the eardrum and to see if the eardrum moves. (Eardrums will not move if they are too stiff or if there is fluid behind them.) A pneumatic otoscope (an otoscope that can blow a tiny puff of air) may be used to check for fluid accumulation. |
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