What is Otitis Media and its Symptoms

Otitis media is the infection of the middle ear derived from the terms Otitis which refers to inflammation, Media which means middle.

Los Angeles, CA (prHWY.com) July 14, 2012 - This is the infection of the middle ear derived from the terms Otitis which refers to inflammation, Media which means middle. The infection can easily be noticed because it causes other ailments such as sore throats, respiratory problems as well as colds. It then moves and attacks the middle ears making it difficult for the patient to hear and even speak. This infection is normally caused by a bacterium and can be acute where it sporadically attacks the patient without notice. For this case, fluid is accumulated in the middle of the ear and there emerges different signs that show infection of the ear. The signs may range from bulging of the eardrum and pain in the ear. If the ear is perforated, purulent or puss may be seen streaming out of his ears and in some cases the patient may experience some form of fever.

When inflammation persists for more than a month, this becomes a case of an acute ear infection and may be characterized with effusion or fluids being seen just behind the ear drum and could last for as long as three months.

Most common signs include:
* Continues draining through ear drum hole
* Ear pressure
* Slight loss of hearing

In some cases the ear infection may clear up on its own but in most cases, medical intervention may be necessary.

Causes:
This infection is caused by bacteria or viral infection which causes swellings and blocking of Eustachian tube. In most of the cases, this problem goes away after a few days because the white blood cells from the bloodstream accumulate around the bacteria and kills the bacteria and eventually kills itself. This is what leads to the formation of a whitish or a yellowish fluid in the middle of the year. What causes difficulties in hearing is when this fluid makes it difficult for the ear drum and bones to move normally. When the fluid becomes too much, pressure is mounted around the ear drum and ends up tearing it

Risk factors:
This problem is common to;

* Children who are brought up in a group setting like children centers and populated child care centers.
* Children whose parents smoke and expose them to cigarettes smoke
* Children who are fed from a bottle while in a sleeping position.
* People with defects including down syndrome, cleft palate and nervous system.

Symptoms:
A number of otitis media symptoms have been identified and are common in both adults and older children. They include;

* Hearing problems
* Fullness
* Pressure in the ear
* Dizziness and certain loss of balance
* Nausea or vomiting
* Fever
* Drainage from the ear.

Treatment
If it is chronic, the doctor may recommend removal of adenoids or clump of the upper throat tissue otherwise antibiotic prescription can cure the problem. Surgery may also be recommended depending on how far it has affected the child.

Get information about otitis media at: http://www.focusappsstore.net/understanding-diseases/infectious-diseases-and-oncology/otitis-media

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Tag Words: otitis media

Categories: Health

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