Middle ear infection (Otitis media) is a group of inflammatory diseases of the middle ear. One of the two main types is acute otitis media (AOM), an infection with a rapid onset that usually presents with ear pain. In young children, this can lead to pulling at the ear, increased crying and poor sleep. Reduced eating and fever may also be present. The other main type is middle ear infection with effusion (OME), usually not associated with symptoms, although occasional feeling of fullness is described; it is defined as the presence of noninfectious fluid in the middle ear that may persist for weeks or months, often following an episode of acute middle ear infection. Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a middle ear infection that results in a perforated eardrum with discharge from the ear for more than six weeks. It can be a complication of acute middle ear infection. Pain is rarely present. All three types of otitis media can be associated with hearing loss. If children with hearing loss due to OME do not learn sign language, it may affect their ability to learn.
The cause of AOM is related to childhood anatomy and immune function. Bacteria or viruses may be involved. Risk factors include exposure to smoke, the use of pacifiers and attending daycare. It is more common in indigenous peoples and people with cleft lip and palate or Down syndrome. OME often occurs after AOM and may be related to viral upper respiratory tract infections, irritants such as smoke or allergies. Looking at the eardrum is important in making the correct diagnosis. Signs of AOM include bulging or lack of movement of the eardrum due to a breath of air. New discharge unrelated to otitis externa also indicates the diagnosis.
A number of measures reduce the risk of middle ear infection, including vaccination against pneumococcal disease and influenza, breastfeeding and avoiding tobacco smoke. The use of painkillers for AOM is important. These may include paracetamol (paracetamol), ibuprofen, benzocaine ear drops or opioids. With AOM, antibiotics can speed recovery but may cause side effects. Antibiotics are often recommended in people with severe disease or younger than two years of age. In people with less severe disease, they may be recommended only in those who do not improve after two or three days. The first antibiotic of choice is usually amoxicillin. In patients with frequent infections, tympanostomy tubes can reduce recurrence. In children with otitis media with effusion, antibiotics may improve symptoms but cause diarrhea, vomiting and skin rash.
Treatment BeterKlinic
BeterKliniek is the clinic for Integrative Medicine that bridges regular and non-regular medicine.
An van Veen (physician) and Michael van Gils (therapist) look for the cause of a condition or disease. That is where the treatment starts otherwise, as people often say, it is 'carrying water to the sea'. We call this cause medicine. Sometimes it is also desirable to treat the symptoms (at the same time). We call this symptom medicine.
Chronic disorders often have their cause in epi- genetics. You can schedule a free informative telephone consultation (phone number 040-7117337 until 1 p.m.) at BeterKliniek to discuss your symptoms so that we can provide you with further advice.
