All diseases of the ears are very unpleasant. One of these ailments is exudative otitis media. This is one of the types of inflammation of the mucosa of the middle ear. It is believed that this form of otitis affects only children. But in fact, adults suffer from exudative otitis, too, and quite often.
Causes and symptoms of exudative otitis media
Exudative otitis media is a common complication arising from improper treatment of catarrhal otitis. The main difference in the disease is that in the middle ear begins to accumulate a sticky liquid - exudate. Because of it, the auditory ossicles become less mobile, and, accordingly, the hearing deteriorates.
All the reasons for which exudative otitis can develop are conventionally divided into two groups: general and local. Common reasons are as follows:
- allergy;
- decreased immunity;
- bad ecology;
- transferred infectious diseases.
The main local cause is problems with the ventilation function of the Eustachian tube (inflammatory or functional).
Sometimes the average exudative otitis occurs due to some congenital anomalies of the facial skull, but in most cases the ailment develops against the backdrop of such diseases:
- tonsillitis (including chronic its form);
- ARI and ARVI;
- pharyngitis;
- laryngitis;
- sinusitis;
- adenoids;
- aero-otitis;
- rhinitis;
- scleroma;
- angina;
- flu.
Unlike its predecessor - catarrhal otitis - exudative is not so obvious, and it is difficult to recognize it. The main symptoms of acute exudative otitis are:
- hearing loss;
- sensations of "bubbling" in the ears;
- labored breathing
- stuffy nose and ears;
- weakness;
- general malaise;
- sharp deterioration of hearing.
High temperature and severe pain during exudative otitis patient does not feel. And many patients prefer disregarding the above-described uncomfortable sensations, which, unfortunately, is fraught with the transition of the disease to a new purulent form.
Treatment of exudative otitis media of the middle ear
To the effect of treatment was the most positive and manifested as early as possible, you need to entrust your health to a professional. The main tasks of the treatment are to remove the inflammation and restore the patency of the auditory tube. In parallel with this, the fight against the disease that caused exudative otitis should be carried out. And among other things, many specialists strongly recommend to consolidate the success of the treatment course and prevent relapses with special immunomodulating medications.
As such, there is no single course of treatment for exudative otitis media. The method and duration of the recovery course for each patient are selected individually.
If there are adenoids or polyps in the patient, the paranasal sinuses should be sanitized. In other cases, to restore the patency of the Eustachian tube, physiotherapeutic procedures can immediately be prescribed.
The most effective for the treatment of acute exudative otitis media are:
- electrophoresis of lipase;
- magnetotherapy ;
- electrostimulation of the muscles of the soft palate;
- laser therapy;
- ultrasound treatment.
To remove the exudate apply the method of blowing through the Politzer, dynamic currents and massage of the tympanic membrane.
Sometimes treatment requires a simple operation: the eardrum is dissected and a special shunt is inserted into it. This is necessary for the aeration of the tympanic membrane and removal of excess moisture from it. A polyethylene tube can be in the ear from a few weeks to a couple of months, until all the liquid has removed and the hearing is not restored.