How To Manage An Ear Infection (Otitis)

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How To Manage An Ear Infection (Otitis)

Otitis is an infection of the ear and is the most common cause of ear aches. Although this condition is a frequent cause of infant distress and is often associated with children, it can also affect adults. This infection very often accompanies a common cold, the flu, or other types of respiratory infections. This is because the middle ear is connected to the upper respiratory tract by a tiny channel known as the Eustachian tube thereby giving means to the germs that are growing in the nose or sinus cavities can climb up the Eustachian tube and enter the middle ear to start growing.


What Causes an Ear Infection?
The middle ear is a small space behind the ear drum that is supposed to be well ventilated by air that normally passes up from behind the nose, through the Eustachian tube, keeping the middle ear clean and dry. When there is not enough fresh air ventilating the middle ear, such as when the Eustachian tube is clogged or blocked, the area becomes damp, stagnant, and warm, a perfect breeding condition for germs sees rapid multiplication of the germs.


In children and infants, the Eustachian tube is often too soft or immature and has a harder time staying open. Allergies, post nasal drainage, sinus infections, common cold viruses can all interfere with the Eustachian tube’s ability to let air pass into the middle ear. On examination of the ear drum, the site will appear red and swollen, prompting ear infection as a diagnosis.


For children, the most common cause of an ear infection is an upper respiratory viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. These disorders can make the Eustachian tube so swollen that air can no longer flow into the middle ear. Allergies — to pollen, dust, animal dander, or food — can produce the same effect as a cold or flu, as can smoke, fumes, and other environmental toxins.
Bacteria can cause an ear infection directly, but usually these organisms come on the heels of a viral infection or an allergic reaction, quickly finding their way into the warm, moist environment of the middle ear. Invading bacteria can wreak major havoc, turning inflammation into infection and iniatiating fevers.

Among the bacteria most often found in infected middle ears are the same varieties responsible for many cases of sinusitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. According experts (ear, nose, and throat physicians), the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine is very effective against several strains of the most common bacteria that cause ear infections. This vaccine is routinely given to infants and toddlers to prevent meningitis, pneumonia, and blood infections.
Your child’s doctor should advise you on the use of this vaccine, which may help to prevent at least some ear infections.



In recent years, scientists have identified the characteristics of people most likely to suffer recurrent middle ear infections:
*.Males
*.Individuals with a family history of ear infections
*.Babies who are bottle-fed (breastfed babies get fewer ear infections)
*.Children in day care centres
*.People living in households with tobacco smokers
*.People with abnormalities of the palate, such as a cleft palate
*.People with poor immune systems or chronic respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and asthma


Diagnosis
If you present ear ache that is accompanied (in some cases) by a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat, fever and ear pain which may be due to an ear infection.

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The doctor will examine the eardrum with an instrument called anotoscopefor signs of infection — not an easy task if the patient is aninfant. He/she will take sample from the affected ear with the aid of a sterile swab stick for Microbiology culture and sensitivity test to determine the causative organism and the drug of choice.


The Physician may also check for blockage or filling of the middle ear using a pneumatic otoscope, which blows a little air at the eardrum.
This air should cause the eardrum to move a little back and forth. If fluid is present, the eardrum will not move as readily.


Another test for ear infections is tympanometry, which uses sound and air pressure to check for fluid in the middle ear. If needed, an audiologist will perform a hearing test to determine if there is hearing loss.

On rare occasions, when the person is quite ill, a doctor may make an opening in the eardrum; draw out a sample of fluid from the middle ear to culture the sample in a lab. This more extreme measure is usually used only for serious or particularly stubborn infections.

What Are the Treatments for Ear Infections?
The goal of treatment for most doctors is to rid the middle ear of infection before more serious complications set in. Treatment usually involves eliminating the causes of the ear infection and killing any invading bacteria in the Eustachian tube.


Medicine for Ear Infections
An ear infection is often caused by a virus, in which case the only relief doctors can offer is treatment of the symptoms. To ease the pain of an ear infection, your doctor may recommend a pain reliever, typically acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which also helps reduce a fever.


Amoxicillin is the antibiotic of choice for treating bacterial ear infections. The drug is highly effective: A single course of amoxicillin can usually knock out an ear infection in seven to 10 days, at little cost.


However, some types of bacteria have grown resistant to amoxicillin; so the drug indicated by the microbiology and sensitivity test is usually the drug of choice.


Home remedies
You can provide a great deal of ear infection symptom relief at home. Try these tips:


*.Many find that warmth, perhaps from a warm compress, brings comfort. Steam inhalations may also help, but take care not to burn yoursef; protect your eye area, as well.


*.In older children or adults, gargling with salt water helps soothe an aggravated throat and may help clear the Eustachian tubes.


*.Holding your head erect can help drain your middle ear.


*.Any smokers should refrain from smoking inside the house or anywhere around your child.


Stay Healthy!!!


--- Doctorsays