Acute Otitis Media Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Acute otitis media is inflammation that occurs in the middle ear. This condition occurs suddenly and usually takes less than three weeks.
The middle ear is an organ that has a barrier and is usually free of germs because there are fine hairs that protect it. In other words, acute otitis media occurs when this protective system is not functioning properly.
Most cases of complications in acute otitis media occur in children, where their immune system is still developing and not fully formed. Following are some of the complications that may occur due to acute otitis media:
- Speech disorders.
This condition can occur if a child often has ear infections, which affect the sense of hearing and cause speech disorders. - Labyrinthitis
This condition occurs when an infection spreads to the labyrinth area (the delicate structure deep inside the ear). Perceived signs can include dizziness, vertigo, hearing loss, and even loss of balance. - Mastoiditis
Mastoid is the bone behind the ear. If the infection has spread to this area, usually the patient will experience fever, headache, hearing loss, and swelling behind the ear that is red and painful to the touch. - Cholesteatoma
Cholesteatoma is the appearance of abnormal skin cells in the ear. Symptoms of this condition are hearing loss, paralysis of the nerve in one half of the face, dizziness, and ringing in the ears. If left unchecked, the cholesteatoma can damage the structure of the ear. - Meningitis
Meningitis occurs when the infection has spread to the coverings covering the brain and spinal cord. This type of complication is quite rare. Symptoms due to meningitis are a severe headache, nausea, fever, neck stiffness, and sensitivity to light. - Brain Abscess
A brain abscess is a pus-filled swelling that appears in the brain. Symptoms include severe headaches, paralysis in one part of the body, fever, confusion and convulsions. This complication is an emergency, so the pus in the brain must be removed as soon as possible. - Facial paralysis
The swelling that occurs as a result of a middle ear infection can compress the facial nerves, preventing sufferers from moving part or all of their face.
Symptom
The features arising from this disease vary, depending on the stage and age of the patient. In infants, the typical symptoms of acute otitis media are characterized by high fever, restlessness and difficulty sleeping, diarrhea, convulsions, and often holding the sore ear.
Meanwhile, at the age of children, generally will feel fever and pain in the ears. Usually, sufferers also have a history of respiratory tract infections.
Especially in infants and children, acute otitis media can also cause eating disorders. This is caused by nausea and vomiting and high fever. In adolescents and adults, pain in the ear is usually followed by hearing loss.
In general, the complaints felt by sufferers depend on the stage of acute otitis media that is being experienced:
- Occlusion stage
The condition is characterized by ears that feel painful and full so that hearing can be reduced. - Hyperemia stage
The symptoms are fever and pain in the ear. In infants and children, usually restlessness, vomiting, and loss of appetite. - Suppuration stage
The signs are the same as the hyperemic stage. - Perforation stage
At this stage, fluid begins to come out of the ear. This liquid must be considered, whether it is clear or cloudy, contains blood or not, and smells or not. - Resolution stage
After the ear fluid comes out, the patient’s complaints will decrease. Starting from a gradually normal body temperature, the pain subsides, and the baby or child is calmer. If the fluid continues to come out, hearing will still be impaired.
Reason
Acute otitis media occurs when there is an infection that spreads from the upper respiratory tract to the middle ear. Because of this, the Eustachian tube can become blocked or inflamed.
In children, the more frequent upper respiratory tract infections (ARI), the more likely the occurrence of acute otitis media is also more frequent.
In addition, there are several other causative factors, namely:
- The habit of drinking milk from a bottle in a supine position.
- Disorders such as cleft lip and Down syndrome.
- Cigarette smoke exposure.
- Allergy.
- Low economic level.
Diagnosis
Acute otitis media can be identified through signs found during a consultation with a doctor and physical examination of the middle ear, especially the tympanic membrane.
During the consultation, the doctor will see if the patient has ear pain, fever, lethargy, or headaches in the area near the ear. In addition, laboratory tests are also needed to determine the presence of bacteria and radiological examination using ultrasound.
Treatment
Management of acute otitis media is highly dependent on the stage. Here’s how to treat this disease:
- Stage of occlusion
Administration of nasal drops to widen the canal that connects the middle ear cavity and the oral cavity. - Hyperemic stage
At this stage, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and painkillers can be given. The selection of antibiotics is more targeted to clean germs. - Suppuration stage
. In addition to giving antibiotics, you can also tear a small part of the membrane that separates the outer ear and the middle ear. Thus, the thick liquid can come out little by little and not cause a big hole. - Perforation stage
At this stage earwashing and antibiotics can be given.
Prevention
The best prevention for acute otitis media is to prevent ARI from occurring. If there are signs of ARI, immediately go to the doctor so that it does not progress to acute otitis media as a complication.
For infants and children who have been exposed to acute otitis media, severe conditions can be avoided by giving breast milk for up to 6 months to 2 years. In addition, keep them away from exposure to cigarette smoke.
Immunization against germs that cause respiratory tract infections is also important. Namely, Hib immunization to avoid Haemophilus influenzae bacteria and PCV immunization to avoid Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. The administration of these two vaccines must be carried out in series, namely when the child is 2, 4 and 6 months old.