"Otitis media" is a medical term for an infection of the middle ear, the area just behind the eardrum. Ear infection and fluid formation is more common among infants and young children than adults. This is because the Eustachian tubes, the thin tubes that run from the middle to the inner ear towards the back of the throat and which help drain normal ear secretions, are shorter and more horizontal in children. As a result, these ducts are more likely to become clogged and become infected with bacteria or viruses. In most cases, otitis media heals on its own. However, there are several treatments available, as well as home remedies and techniques to manage pain and discomfort.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Treating Otitis Media with Drugs
Step 1. Follow the wait-and-see approach
In most cases, the body's immune system is able to fight and heal ear infections, just give it some time (usually two or three days). The fact that otitis media usually heals on its own leads several medical associations to support this approach, limiting themselves to administering painkillers without prescribing antibiotics.
- The American association of pediatricians and that of family doctors recommend the "wait-and-see" approach for children from 6 months to two years of age suffering from otitis media in one ear, while for children over two years of age, otitis must affect both ears for at least two days and the fever must be over 39 ° C before medical treatment is required.
- Many doctors advocate this type of approach to limit the use of antibiotics, not least because they have been widely abused, leading to the development of drug-resistant bacteria. Also, antibiotics cannot cure infection when it is caused by viruses.
Step 2. Take the antibiotics
If the otitis does not go away on its own, your doctor may prescribe a 10-day course of these medications to treat the infection and theoretically reduce some of the symptoms. Among the antibiotics that are most often prescribed are amoxicillin and azithromycin (the latter if you are allergic to penicillin). This class of drugs is often given to those who suffer from frequent or extremely painful and severe infections. In most cases, antibiotics are able to eradicate the disorder. Among their side effects are rashes, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- If your doctor is concerned about antibiotic resistance in the area he may prescribe you a drug which is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin). Clavulanic acid prevents bacteria from deactivating amoxicillin, inhibiting antibiotic resistance.
- Keep in mind that these medicines are not prescribed when the infection is of viral or fungal origin, as they are not effective against such pathogens, but only against bacteria.
- The typical dosage for an adult suffering from otitis media is 250-500 mg, to be taken orally three times a day for 10-14 days.
- A shorter course of antibiotics (5-7 days instead of 10) may be prescribed for children aged 6 and over who have an infection deemed mild or moderate by the pediatrician.
- Always finish the entire course of drug treatment. Even if your symptoms start to improve a little at the beginning of the treatment, you definitely need to complete the treatment that has been prescribed for you. If you have been told to take antibiotics for 10 days, you need to take them for 10 days! Be aware, however, that you may start feeling better within 48 hours. If the temperature persists above 37.7 ° C and does not tend to drop, it means that the bacteria are resistant to that particular drug; in this case, you will need to have another one prescribed.
- See your doctor at the end of the antibiotic treatment to see if the infection has been eradicated.
Step 3. Take some decongestants
You can take this class of over-the-counter medications to help drain the fluids that have built up as a result of the infection. Decongestants may be available as nasal sprays or oral tablets and can be found in most drugstores. Make sure you follow the dosage indicated on the leaflet. However, there is little evidence of their ability to stimulate healing from otitis media; therefore, they are usually not recommended.
- Nasal sprays shouldn't be used for more than three days at a time. If you use it more, you may suffer from the rebound effect, resulting in swelling of the nasal passages.
- Although rebound swelling is less common with oral decongestants, some people experience palpitations or an increase in blood pressure.
- Do not give decongestants to children with otitis media, as these drugs are only suitable for adults. Because children's anatomy is different, this class of medicines can reduce their body's ability to dissolve fluids and can prolong the time of infection.
- Consult your doctor before using any decongestant in nasal or oral spray format.
Step 4. Undergo a myringotomy
It is a surgery indicated above all in cases of frequent ear infections that do not heal with antibiotics. The procedure involves draining the blocked fluids into the middle ear by inserting a ventilation tube. Typically, you should see an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) to determine if this surgery is appropriate for you.
- In this outpatient surgery, the otolaryngologist surgically places, through a small incision, a tube in the eardrum to help ventilation in the ear, thus preventing other fluids from accumulating and allowing those already present to drain completely from the middle ear.
- Some tubes are specifically designed to stay in place for 6 months to a year and then fall off spontaneously. Others, on the other hand, are designed to stay for a longer period and need to be surgically removed.
- Usually, the eardrum heals once the ventilation tube is dropped or removed.
Method 2 of 4: Managing the Pain
Step 1. Apply a warm compress
Place a warm, damp towel over the affected ear to reduce discomfort and stabbing pain. You can place any type of warm compress, such as a towel soaked in hot or boiling water, over your ear for immediate relief.
Alternatively, you can take 200g of salt or rice, heat it in a saucepan over the fire until it becomes hot, but not too hot, and place it in a sock or towel. Then place it on the ear affected by otitis. These substances retain heat for a longer period than a wet towel
Step 2. Take some pain relievers
Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tachipirina) or ibuprofen (Brufen, Moment) to relieve pain and reduce discomfort. Stick to the recommended dosage described on the leaflet.
- Adults should take up to 650 mg of acetaminophen or 400 mg of ibuprofen every four to six hours, depending on the severity of the pain.
- The dosage of painkillers for children depends on the weight of the children themselves. Read the directions on the package to determine the appropriate dosage to give them.
- Be very careful when giving aspirin to children or young people under 19 years of age. Technically, this drug is considered appropriate for children over the age of two. However, you must be very careful if you decide to treat your child with this medicine, as it has recently been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare condition, but which causes liver and brain damage in boys who are recovering from chickenpox or the flu.. Consult your pediatrician if you are concerned about this.
Step 3. Use ear drops
If you are in severe pain, your doctor may prescribe them, such as antipyrine, benzocaine, and glycerin (Auralgan), to relieve pain, as long as the eardrum is intact and not torn or ruptured. Generally, the dosage is three or four drops of the medicine to be inserted into the ear canal twice a day for seven days. Lie on your side to allow the drops to flow down the duct and stay in place for a minute to give the medication time to work and be absorbed.
If you are giving the drops to a child, warm the vial by placing it in warm water. This way, you avoid creating a thermal shock in the ear, as they are no longer too cold. Have the baby lie down on a flat surface with the side of the infected ear facing you. Administer the drops according to the dosage indicated on the package and do not exceed the recommended dosage. Follow the same procedure you would use to put the drops on an adult or in your own ear
Step 4. Change your sleeping position
To relieve pain and facilitate the drainage of fluid accumulated in your ear, you need to change the way you lie down when you go to bed. Put some pillows under your head to keep it elevated and allow the fluids in your ear to come out better.
Method 3 of 4: Treating Otitis Media at Home
Step 1. Consult your doctor before taking any of these remedies
Some people seek natural antimicrobial remedies before seeing a doctor. This can actually be very dangerous, as there is no telling if the problem is actually a perforated eardrum, a tumor in the ear canal, a cut in the skin in the ear, or something else more serious than a simple ear infection.. Applying a home remedy can aggravate these conditions and / or impair the doctor's ability to observe when looking into the ear. If your child has a perforated eardrum, doing so could also seriously risk causing deafness in that ear.
Step 2. Use garlic or coconut oil for your home treatments
Both have antibacterial properties and have been used as a home remedy for infections for a long time. You can make garlic oil yourself at home using several cloves, while coconut oil must be purchased, but it must be virgin and cold pressed for it to retain its therapeutic properties.
- To make garlic oil at home, chop a couple of fresh garlic cloves and heat them by soaking them in olive oil on a very low temperature for half an hour. Coconut oil is available in grocery and health food stores.
- To use it for your purpose, insert two or three drops of the oil of your choice into the diseased ear and fold your head for 10 minutes on the other side, so that it does not come out.
- You should never put oil in your ear if you are concerned that the eardrum is ruptured, as it could cause damage if it were to pass through it.
Step 3. Chew xylitol gum
It is a natural sweetener or a sugar substitute. Some studies have been done to demonstrate that this substance is able to reduce the number of ear infections, as it acts against the bacteria that develop in the ear and are responsible for the infection. Chew two pieces of xylitol gum five times a day.
However, you need to be careful with chewing gum. It is true that xylitol can kill the bacteria responsible for the infection, but chewing too much gum can increase the risk of developing temporomandibular joint syndrome and causing tooth erosion due to the artificial flavors and preservatives in them
Step 4. Use apple cider vinegar
This is another natural antimicrobial remedy. There is a number of anecdotal evidence - although not substantiated by scientific data - to prove its effectiveness against otitis. Dilute the vinegar with as much water and fill the ear canal with the solution, placing a cotton ball or cloth on your ear or lying on the opposite side. After five minutes, squeeze the mixture out of your ear by turning to the other side and holding the diseased side down.
You can also apply three or four drops of apple cider vinegar directly to the inside of the infected ear using a syringe or by bending your head to the opposite side for a few minutes so that the solution can work
Step 5. Eliminate dairy products from your diet
While more recent research has shown that these products are probably not responsible for increasing mucus production, there are studies that have found some cases where this actually happened. As mucus production increases, it clogs the Eustachian tubes, increasing the risk of a bacterial colony developing.
Method 4 of 4: Diagnose the Problem
Step 1. Take note of the visible symptoms associated with otitis media
Among the most common, you may notice pain, agitation, fever and even vomiting or the child who is still unable to speak may "jerk" the infected ear. In addition, the baby may have difficulty eating or sleeping normally because lying down, chewing and sucking can alter the pressure inside the ear canal and cause pain. Adults also experience pain, a feeling of pressure, and increased discomfort when lying down.
- Since the age groups that are at the greatest risk of otitis media and fluid accumulation are those between three months and two years, parents or caregivers should give the pediatrician as many information about the child's medical history. Therefore, it is essential to carefully track and record any detectable symptoms.
- If you notice any leaking fluid, pus, or bloody secretions, take your baby to the pediatrician immediately.
Step 2. Monitor symptoms related to the common cold
Otitis media is generally considered a secondary infection following the normal cold, called a primary infection. Be prepared for congestion, a cough, a sore throat, a little fever and a runny nose for a few days, all of which accompany a cold.
Most colds are viral in nature; as there are no treatments for these types of infections, there is generally no reason to seek medical attention. You should only contact him if you can't get your fever under control by giving the correct doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen (and when the temperature reaches 38.8 ° C). Pay attention to any cold symptoms, as your doctor will want to know about the primary infection. Usually, a cold lasts for a week. If there is no improvement after this period, see your doctor
Step 3. Look for signs of hearing problems
Usually, the middle ear is filled with air which allows the transmission of sound waves. However, when it is blocked by fluids formed during the infection, the sounds are altered or muffled. Some people find that these sounds seem to come from below the surface of the water. If you notice the following symptoms, your hearing may be impaired:
- Failure to react to sounds or other light noises
- Need to turn up the volume on the TV or radio;
- Speak in an unusually high tone of voice
- General inattention.
Step 4. Learn about possible complications
Most otitis media do not lead to long-term complications and often go away on their own within two to three days. However, in the case of frequent infections, some serious consequences can occur, such as:
- Developmental or speech delays. Hearing loss in young children can cause a delay in language development, especially if the child has not yet reached the age at which he can speak.
- Changes in hearing. Although it is quite common for hearing to be slightly impaired in the presence of otitis media, more severe cases of loss of sense can occur when the infection or the presence of fluids is persistent, and in some cases the eardrum and eardrum can also be damaged. middle ear.
- Spread of infection. If it is not treated properly or does not respond to treatments, the infection can spread to other tissues; in this case, the problem must be addressed immediately. Mastoiditis is an infection that is potentially responsible for the protrusion of the bone behind the ear. Not only can this problem cause damage to the bone itself, but pus-filled cysts can also form. In some very rare cases, a severe middle ear infection can spread to the skull and also affect the brain.
- Laceration of the eardrum. Sometimes, the infection can cause the eardrum to tear or rupture. Almost always, such damage heals in about three days, but in some exceptional cases surgery is required.
Step 5. Make an appointment with your doctor
If you are concerned that you have an ongoing middle ear infection, you need to see your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. He will examine the ear with an otoscope, a small torch-like instrument that will help him see the inside of the ear canal up to the eardrum.
If the problem persists, occurs frequently, or doesn't go away with treatments, you can see an otolaryngologist, the ear, nose and throat specialist
Advice
- Remember that there is no single perfect approach as a treatment. When the doctor chooses the therapy for you, he must consider a variety of factors, such as the age, type, duration and severity of the infection, how many times you have suffered from otitis media in your life, and whether the infection is causing it. a loss of hearing.
- Keep in mind that home remedies usually focus more on relieving the pain caused by the infection, rather than solving the actual condition. You should combine such home care with drug treatments.
- Some people try natural antimicrobial remedies before seeing a doctor and prescribing antibiotics. Usually, this is a safe approach for two to three days, but you need to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms worsen or if you notice blood or other discharge from your ear.
