SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS OF EAR INFECTIONS
Ear
infections can affect the inner ear or outer ear. There are three main types of
ear infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). The three types are acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion
(OME) and otitis externa, which is better known as swimmer’s ear. Ear infections
are most common in children. By their third birthday, three out of four
children will have at least one ear infection, according to the National
Institutes of Health.
infections can affect the inner ear or outer ear. There are three main types of
ear infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). The three types are acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion
(OME) and otitis externa, which is better known as swimmer’s ear. Ear infections
are most common in children. By their third birthday, three out of four
children will have at least one ear infection, according to the National
Institutes of Health.
RISK FACTORS
AND CAUSES!
AND CAUSES!
Certain risk
factors or exposures can increase the risk for ear infections. These include:-
factors or exposures can increase the risk for ear infections. These include:-
• Age: Children younger than age 3 are
more susceptible to ear infections.
more susceptible to ear infections.
• Family history: Children with parents
who had frequent ear infections have a higher risk
who had frequent ear infections have a higher risk
• Allergies and colds: Stuffy noses may
also lead to more frequent ear infections.
also lead to more frequent ear infections.
• Birth defects and medical conditions:
“Patients with Eustachian tube problems and those with other underlying
medical conditions such as immune deficiencies or craniofacial anomalies also
tend to have more ear infections. The Eustachian tube is a narrow channel that
connects the middle ear with the upper throat.
“Patients with Eustachian tube problems and those with other underlying
medical conditions such as immune deficiencies or craniofacial anomalies also
tend to have more ear infections. The Eustachian tube is a narrow channel that
connects the middle ear with the upper throat.
• Bottle-fed babies or babies who use a
pacifier: Babies are especially more susceptible if fed while lying down. They
more likely to get ear infections in their first year.
pacifier: Babies are especially more susceptible if fed while lying down. They
more likely to get ear infections in their first year.
• Weakened immune systems and previous
history: Children with an ear infection before six months of age have a higher
risk for future ear infections. Persistent fluid behind the ears also makes
children more likely to get ear infections.
history: Children with an ear infection before six months of age have a higher
risk for future ear infections. Persistent fluid behind the ears also makes
children more likely to get ear infections.
• Day care: Children in childcare
centers are also more likely to get ear infections.
centers are also more likely to get ear infections.
Another
element that can make a child more susceptible to ear infections is exposure to
cigarette smoke. Children living in homes or traveling in autos with smokers
who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to get ear infections.
Second-hand smoke can lead to fluid build-up in the middle ear, resulting in
decreased hearing and more frequent ear infections, yes, parental smoking by
one or both parents more than doubles the risk of recurrent AOM infections and
how much the parent smokes is important too. In fact, for every additional
half-pack smoked there is another doubling of risk of ear infection in the
child.”
element that can make a child more susceptible to ear infections is exposure to
cigarette smoke. Children living in homes or traveling in autos with smokers
who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to get ear infections.
Second-hand smoke can lead to fluid build-up in the middle ear, resulting in
decreased hearing and more frequent ear infections, yes, parental smoking by
one or both parents more than doubles the risk of recurrent AOM infections and
how much the parent smokes is important too. In fact, for every additional
half-pack smoked there is another doubling of risk of ear infection in the
child.”
Breathing in
the toxins from smoke promotes immune cells to react. The reactive immune cells
cause swelling of lymph nodes, including those around the Eustachian tube.
Then, the swollen lymph nodes compress the Eustachian tube and thereby promote
middle ear infections.
the toxins from smoke promotes immune cells to react. The reactive immune cells
cause swelling of lymph nodes, including those around the Eustachian tube.
Then, the swollen lymph nodes compress the Eustachian tube and thereby promote
middle ear infections.
Otitis media
is an infection of the middle ear, the area right behind the ear drum. It
usually occurs when a cold or an upper respiratory infection introduces
bacteria into the ear through the Eustachian tube. “Contrary to popular
opinion most ear infections are caused by viral infections not by bacteria. The
viruses that are the most commonly the initial cause of ear infections include
respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus and cytomegalovirus.
is an infection of the middle ear, the area right behind the ear drum. It
usually occurs when a cold or an upper respiratory infection introduces
bacteria into the ear through the Eustachian tube. “Contrary to popular
opinion most ear infections are caused by viral infections not by bacteria. The
viruses that are the most commonly the initial cause of ear infections include
respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus and cytomegalovirus.
Swimmer’s
ear is an infection of the outer ear and ear canal due to bacteria growing in a
wet, dark environment.
ear is an infection of the outer ear and ear canal due to bacteria growing in a
wet, dark environment.
Acute otitis
media is the most common ear infection. During AOM, the tube in the inside of
the ear is clogged with mucus and fluid, leading to infection and swelling.
media is the most common ear infection. During AOM, the tube in the inside of
the ear is clogged with mucus and fluid, leading to infection and swelling.
SIGNS AND
SYMPTOMS
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms
of the three different types of ear infections are quite similar. Common
symptoms of AOM are earache and fever, hearing loss, headaches, drainage from
the ear, pain in the ear, and a feeling of fullness in the ear, according to
the. Children may be too young to describe what’s wrong, and as a result may
get fussy, cry excessively, have trouble sleeping and have a reduced appetite.
Pus or blood might drain from the ear if the ear drum has burst.
of the three different types of ear infections are quite similar. Common
symptoms of AOM are earache and fever, hearing loss, headaches, drainage from
the ear, pain in the ear, and a feeling of fullness in the ear, according to
the. Children may be too young to describe what’s wrong, and as a result may
get fussy, cry excessively, have trouble sleeping and have a reduced appetite.
Pus or blood might drain from the ear if the ear drum has burst.
Otitis
externa has symptoms that are very similar to middle ear infections, though
people may also experience itchiness and pain to the outer part of their ear.
The pain may also get worse when the person moves. It can lead to a slight
amount of clear discharge that can turn yellowish without treatment.
externa has symptoms that are very similar to middle ear infections, though
people may also experience itchiness and pain to the outer part of their ear.
The pain may also get worse when the person moves. It can lead to a slight
amount of clear discharge that can turn yellowish without treatment.
Otitis media
with effusion happens when fluid stays trapped in the middle ear. OME may not
present any symptoms and will often go away without notice.
with effusion happens when fluid stays trapped in the middle ear. OME may not
present any symptoms and will often go away without notice.
DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTS
AND TESTS
An ear
infection can be detected through a simple examination of the ears, throat and
nasal passages at the physician’s office with a small, lighted instrument
called an otoscope, according to the, an infected ear may have areas of
dullness or redness or there may be air bubbles or fluid behind the eardrum.
The doctor may also use a pneumatic otoscope, which can detect how much fluid
is behind the eardrum. The doctor will also examine the throat and sinuses and
see if the patient has any recent cold or allergy symptoms.
infection can be detected through a simple examination of the ears, throat and
nasal passages at the physician’s office with a small, lighted instrument
called an otoscope, according to the, an infected ear may have areas of
dullness or redness or there may be air bubbles or fluid behind the eardrum.
The doctor may also use a pneumatic otoscope, which can detect how much fluid
is behind the eardrum. The doctor will also examine the throat and sinuses and
see if the patient has any recent cold or allergy symptoms.
Additional
tests may be performed to further confirm the diagnosis and differentiate
between AOM and OME. Tympanometry uses
sound tones and air pressure to measure how flexible the eardrum is at
different pressures. Reflectometry places a small instrument near the ear and
measures how sound emitted from the device is reflected back from the ear drum.
This allows the doctor to see if there’s fluid trapped in the middle ear.
tests may be performed to further confirm the diagnosis and differentiate
between AOM and OME. Tympanometry uses
sound tones and air pressure to measure how flexible the eardrum is at
different pressures. Reflectometry places a small instrument near the ear and
measures how sound emitted from the device is reflected back from the ear drum.
This allows the doctor to see if there’s fluid trapped in the middle ear.
TREATMENT
AND MEDICATION
AND MEDICATION
Although ear
infections are usually caused by bacteria, and antibiotics are often
prescribed, neither OME nor AOM should be treated with antibiotics at the
initial onset. In fact, OME usually will not benefit from antibiotic treatment
since it can occur after the infection.
infections are usually caused by bacteria, and antibiotics are often
prescribed, neither OME nor AOM should be treated with antibiotics at the
initial onset. In fact, OME usually will not benefit from antibiotic treatment
since it can occur after the infection.
Children
from two months to 2 years with non-severe illness should be placed on
observation for the initial 48 to 72 hours, according to guidelines.
Antibiotics, specifically amoxicillin, could be prescribed if illness does not
improve after the observation period. A standard 10-day intensive look-up
examination is recommended for younger children and for children with severe
illness; whereas a five- to seven-day examination is appropriate for children 6
and older with mild to moderate illness.
from two months to 2 years with non-severe illness should be placed on
observation for the initial 48 to 72 hours, according to guidelines.
Antibiotics, specifically amoxicillin, could be prescribed if illness does not
improve after the observation period. A standard 10-day intensive look-up
examination is recommended for younger children and for children with severe
illness; whereas a five- to seven-day examination is appropriate for children 6
and older with mild to moderate illness.
Unlike OME
and AOM, otitis externa will usually require antibiotic treatment.
Corticosteroids can also be used for reducing itching and inflammation. In all
types of ear infection, pain relievers like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or
ibuprofen (such as Advil) can help reduce pain and fever.
and AOM, otitis externa will usually require antibiotic treatment.
Corticosteroids can also be used for reducing itching and inflammation. In all
types of ear infection, pain relievers like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or
ibuprofen (such as Advil) can help reduce pain and fever.
Those with
recurrent ear infections behind the ear drum and patients with fluid behind the
ear drum for a few months are candidates for ear tube placement. “The ear tubes are an opening in the ear
drum so that if fluid or infection develops behind the ear drum it can come out
through the tube, ear tubes also allow air to go behind the ear drum to help
prevent the fluid and infections from redeveloping.
recurrent ear infections behind the ear drum and patients with fluid behind the
ear drum for a few months are candidates for ear tube placement. “The ear tubes are an opening in the ear
drum so that if fluid or infection develops behind the ear drum it can come out
through the tube, ear tubes also allow air to go behind the ear drum to help
prevent the fluid and infections from redeveloping.
BEBEAKINBOADE is the fresh voice of African style, offering an informative, inspiring and entertaining mix of fashion,beauty ,entertainment,events ,place, inspirational and much more
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