Sunday, June 20, 2010
What is Otitis Media?
Otitis Media simply means infection or inflammation of the middle ear due to the agglomeration of fluid.
Causes
- Immune systems- immature immune systems of the infants or damaged immune systems of the patients allows viruses and bacterials to attack and infect their middle ear.
- Results from other illness- cold or allergy
- Perforated eardrum
- Glue ear
- Infants feeding methods: Children that is not being breastfed may have a greater chance of getting Otitis Media.
- Passive smoke exposure- People that have a greater exposure to smoke may have a greater possibilities of getting their ear infected.
Prevalence
Otitis Media is a very common problem in general practice and it's very common in children than in adults
WHY?
Firstly, children have a weaker immune system to fight infections. Secondly, children have a shorter and straighter Eustachian tube which is a small passageway that links the upper part of the throat to the middle ear that is often blocked by swelling of its lining or clogged with mucus from a cold, and thus allowing fluid to accumulate.
WHY?
Firstly, children have a weaker immune system to fight infections. Secondly, children have a shorter and straighter Eustachian tube which is a small passageway that links the upper part of the throat to the middle ear that is often blocked by swelling of its lining or clogged with mucus from a cold, and thus allowing fluid to accumulate.
Possible Complications
An untreated infection can travel from the middle ear to the nearby parts of the head, including the brain. It can travel to the mastoid sinus (which lies behind the ear), worsening the infection which is very dangerous for those with damaged immune systems. Severe cases may permanently affect hearing and be related with dizziness.
It's very drastic for children cases, as persistent fluid in the middle ear or chronic otitis media can affect the children hearing at a time which is utmost imperative for their development of speech and language. In a long run, children may experience drastic ear pain and the fluid can put a pressure on the eardrum and eventually tear it.
An untreated infection can travel from the middle ear to the nearby parts of the head, including the brain. It can travel to the mastoid sinus (which lies behind the ear), worsening the infection which is very dangerous for those with damaged immune systems. Severe cases may permanently affect hearing and be related with dizziness.
It's very drastic for children cases, as persistent fluid in the middle ear or chronic otitis media can affect the children hearing at a time which is utmost imperative for their development of speech and language. In a long run, children may experience drastic ear pain and the fluid can put a pressure on the eardrum and eventually tear it.