otitis media
Normal Ear drum membrane Chronic Inflammation otitis media
There are two major categories of ear infections: otitis media and otitis externa. Otitis externa refers to an infection of the outer ear canal, while otits media is an inflammation or infection of the middle ear.
The middle ear consists of the eardrum and an air filled space behind the eardrum; and is connected to the back of the throat by narrow passage called the Eustachian tubes. These small channels are responsible for funneling normally secreted fluids from the middle ear to the throat, as well as balancing the pressure in the middle ear to allow better hearing. When the air filled space in the middle ear becomes filled with fluid (mucus), the Eustachian tubes are blocked and dysfunction properly, causing fluid buildup inside the middle ear and elevated pressure on the eardrum.
Usually, otitis media occurs due to bacterial or viral infection. However, in some cases, otits media can form with no apparent reason.
Ear infections occur at all ages. However, children are more prone to middle ear infections. 3 out of 4 children will experience otitis media at least once during their first 3 years. Almost 50 percent will experience at least 3 episodes of otitis media. However, otitis media may also affect adults.
Causes of otitis media
- Colds or other upper respiratory tract diseases (e.g. sinus infection)
- Otitis media is not necessarily related to a disease an infection. It may occur due to mucus being blown into the Eustachian tubes after blowing the nose or failing to dry out the ear with a cotton swab after bathing or swimming.
- Allergies
- Inflammation or enlargement of adenoids: the adenoids are two small pads of tissue located in the back of the throat that are related to immune system activity. inflammation or enlargement of the adenoids may interrupt with normal Eustachian tube functioning (causing them to block), and thereby further contribute to otitis media formation.
- In babies teething may also be a factor leading to otitis media and ear pain: excess mucus/saliva produced while teething
Types of otitis media
Acute otitis media
acute otitis media is characterized by the presence of fluid in the middle ear and is often preceded by a cold or other viral upper respiratory infection (URI). The inflammation and fluid buildup cause obstruction of the Eustachian tubes, generating a negative pressure, which pulls in fluid and may provide fertile growth conditions for bacteria. children are usually more affected than adults, especially between the ages of 6 months to 3 years. acute otitis media is accompanied by ear infection symptoms such as ear pain, puss, redness of the eardrum, and in some cases fever.
Chronic suppurative otitis media
A chronic ear infection that causes perforation of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and is accompanied by persistant fluid drainage from the middle ear. Conductive hearing impairement of varying severity is common in the affected ear. Risk factors include: Multiple episodes of acute otitis media, attending daycare, Craniofacial anomalies (such as cleft palate), passive smoking, crowded environment and upper respiratory infections.
otitis media with effusion (serous/secreory otitis media): inflammation and fluid buildup (effusion) in the middle ear without apparent symptoms of infection, making it difficult to detect. Chronic otitis media with effusion can develop within weeks of an acute OME episode, yet in many cases the cause is unknown.
Otitis media with effusion
Otitis media with effusion is usually associated to dysfunction or persistent blocking of the Eustachian tubes, causing negative pressure in the middle ear and leakage of fluid from small capillaries and blood vessels in the middle ear. The term 'glue ear' is often used to describe otitis media with effusion due to presence of a sticky fluid behind the eardrum that resembles glue. otitis media with effusion is usually much difficult to diagnose than acute otitis media since there are no apparent symptoms (such as pain). Malfunction of the Eustachian tubes may arise due to viral infections, birth defects or secondhand smoking. Otitis media with effusion is more common than acute otitis media. The distinction between the two conditions is important: when otitis media with effusion is confused with acute otitis media, often antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily.
