Ear infection, a common complication in children and adolescents, is actually a middle ear infection (sometimes called acute otitis media).
The middle ear is the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains very small vibrating bones.
An ear infection is caused by a bacterium or virus in the middle ear. This infection is often caused by another illness – a cold, flu or allergy – that causes congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat and ears.
Swelling in the middle ear causes the Eustachian tube (one of the bones of the middle ear) to swell, resulting in narrowing of the duct between the ear and nose, fluid retention, and obstruction of air exchange behind the ear. This accumulation of fluid sets the stage for infection.
Here are some middle ear conditions that may be related to an ear infection or lead to similar middle ear problems:
Otitis media with effusion, or swelling and accumulation of fluid (effusion) in the middle ear without bacterial or viral infection: This may be because fluid accumulation continues after the ear infection has healed. It may also occur due to some abnormalities or non-infectious obstruction of the Eustachian tube.
Chronic otitis media with effusion occurs when fluid remains in the middle ear and returns without bacterial or viral infection. This makes children more susceptible to new infections and may affect their hearing.
Chronic purulent otitis media, an ear infection that does not go away with regular treatment. This can lead to holes in the eardrum.
Symptoms of ear infection
The onset of signs and symptoms is usually rapid.
In children:
- Common signs and symptoms in children include:
- Earache, especially when lying down
- Sleep problem
- Crying more than usual
- Restlessness
- Difficulty hearing or responding to sounds
- Loss of balance
- Fever 38 degrees Celsius or higher
- Fluid secretion from the ear
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
In adults:
- Earache
- Drain fluid from the ear
- hearing problem
- When to see a doctor:
- Symptoms last more than a day
- There are symptoms in the newborn (less than 6 months)
- Earache is severe
- Your baby or toddler is insomniac or restless and irritable after a cold or other respiratory infection.
- You see fluid, pus, or bloody discharge from your ear
Treatment methods:
- Home method:
Since ear infections often go away on their own, there is no need for medical intervention and only a few simple home remedies such as using hot water compresses and painkillers (for adults) can relieve pain and shorten the course of the disease. Wet.
- Drug intervention:
Antibiotics are sometimes used to clear the infection. Some people are prone to multiple ear infections, which can lead to hearing problems and other serious complications.
- Tympanostomy
What is a Grommet? Grommet is actually very small pieces (about 1.5 mm) similar to a sewing thread spindle, made of a special type of plastic, silicone or metal, which is inserted into the eardrum by a specialist doctor.
Grommets create a thin airway (about 1 mm) that ventilates the air behind the ear and eliminates fluid accumulation. Therefore, grommets fall into the category of ventilation tubes (VT for short). Interestingly, grommets often go away on their own after 12 to 14 months and do not require reoperation.
Grommet is a common surgery for the treatment of children and adolescents around the world. Grommets are commonly used to help improve hearing in children, usually with persistent otitis media with effusion in both ears, and to prevent ear infections in children with recurrent middle ear infections.
The instructions state that ventilation tubes, such as grommet, are an option in the following cases:
Recurrent acute otitis media: Three ear infections in six months or four infections in one year. Evidence of this recommendation; However, it is weak.
Chronic otitis media with persistent discharge for six months (one ear) or three months (both ears).
Persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction
Barotrauma: especially for the prevention of recurrent episodes (for example, after air travel, hyperbaric chamber treatment).
Children who have only one course of otitis media with effusion (OME) lasting less than 3 months should not be groomed.
Last word
The longer the grommet stays in the ear, the less likely it is that the infection will return or fluid will accumulate behind the ear, which has a direct bearing on the quality of the grommet.
Using non-standard and low-quality Grommets may cause re-imposing the cost of placement, and sometimes hearing loss.