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| Middle ear inflammation |
Otitis is the inflammation of the ear skin lining the ear canal, and media means middle referring to the middle ear inflammation. It is mostly seen in children and it begins with an infection that results in cold, sore throats and other respiratory problems and then spreads to the middle ear. It can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term) and is caused by viruses or bacteria. It is associated with fluid accumulation in the middle ear with symptoms of ear infection, a painful bulging eardrum or a perforated eardrum with pus discharge and fever may be present. Chronic otitis has fluid which gives negative pressure to the eardrum and ear pressure or popping can be a persistent problem with a gradual subtle loss of hearing. The symptoms of otitis media may be pain in the ear, hearing loss or high temperature. It can be diagnosed by these symptoms or an otoscopy. The possible complications may be the spread of infection to the bone behind the ear, and meningitis in rare case with temporary facial numbing or delayed language development. Nose drops may unblock the Eustachian tubes and antibiotics may be prescribed. Build up of fluid in middle ear without infection is known as ‘glue ear’ and if the children frequently suffer ear inflammation due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, they may be surgically removed.
