Features of the course of exudative otitis media in children. How to treat exudative otitis in a child? Treatment of exudative otitis media in children

Manifestation and stages of pathology

Observation of exudative otitis in children is a fairly common phenomenon and, according to statistics, most adults suffered from it in childhood. At preschool age, children with this ear disease tend to have attention disorders, developmental delays, and poor memory. Local tissue edema makes it difficult to remove exudate from the middle ear cavity. Because of this, there is a possibility of multiplication of bacteria and the transition of the disease to the purulent stage. This can cause irreversible changes in the auditory organ.

The duration of the disease characterizes the stage: acute otitis (less than 20 days), subacute (from 3 to 8 weeks) and chronic (more than 8 weeks). However, treatment should not be started immediately after the onset of the symptom. First, it is necessary to restore the functioning of the auditory tube, returning its natural aeration. After that, you can already begin to restore hearing to a sick child and prevent the consequences of persistent changes.

The reasons

adenoids;
swelling in the nose or throat;
auricle barograms;
tuberculosis.

After identifying the causes of the disease, the foci of inflammation that arose before otitis media and can be the causes of the pathology are eliminated. For example, it is necessary to remove adenoids or other sources of chronic infection. At the same time, exudative otitis media in a child begins to be cured, treatment is carried out in a course of 10 days to 2 weeks. Then a month later, a re-diagnosis is carried out. In the case when conservative therapy is ineffective, surgical intervention is planned to remove the exudate.

How the disease manifests itself

It is extremely difficult for parents to identify pathology in a child due to the fact that exudative otitis media is not accompanied by obvious symptoms. As a rule, children do not have any complaints. It is unlikely that parents can only notice the deterioration of hearing. Often the child stops responding to the call immediately, makes the TV or music louder. Symptoms of intoxication are not present.

noise in ears;
nasal breathing disorder;
hearing loss;

By being attentive, parents can identify exudative otitis media in older children by the symptoms of the disease. However, it is much more difficult to diagnose a baby. Often, young children with this pathology are quite restless, have sleep disturbances, scream, turn their heads, refuse to eat, often spit up. In this case, Dr. Komarovsky gives recommendations to parents of children of any age on how to independently diagnose otitis media. In his opinion, one should slightly press on the tragus (cartilage at the entrance to the ear canal) and follow the reaction of the child. If the pain causes discomfort in a child, then he begins to scream and cry. In this case, you must contact a medical institution.

Chronic otitis occurs quite often in the absence of adequate therapy. At the same time, the main complaint remains hearing loss, a feeling of pressure, bursting of the stuffy ear. This symptomatology has an average or erased intensity of severity. Occasionally, short, low-intensity pain may occur. But it passes, and the disease continues, worsening the prognosis of recovery.

Stages of the disease

If the child’s disease is not cured in a timely manner, a persistent phenomenon of grade 3 hearing loss will form in a few years. This will worsen the quality of life of the baby. Taking into account the dynamics of the development of inflammatory processes and pathomorphological changes, exudative otitis media proceeds in the order of the following stages. Let's list them:

Mucosal - the effusion becomes viscous and sticky, there is a thickening of the eardrum. Duration 1-2 years.
Fibrous - processes of mucosal degeneration are formed, pushing to the growth of scar tissue and the formation of adhesive otitis media.

Therapy for otitis media in children is possible at any stage, but fairly frequent relapses can lead to complications. Timely examinations by an ENT doctor will prevent the possibility of the development of pathology and irreversible processes. It is mandatory for the child to undergo medical examinations. All colds or viral diseases of the upper respiratory tract should be treated from the first days of the onset of the disease.

Often, children have an unpleasant sensation of gurgling in their ears or a slight hearing loss. They do not cause severe discomfort, therefore they cannot always be noticed. However, this phenomenon can be attributed to pathology. A disease such as exudative otitis in children (or it is also called secret, seasonal, middle, mucous otitis) is characterized by a persistent seasonal inflammatory process of the mucous membrane in the area of the auditory tube. And if a person may not feel pain, then hearing loss manifests itself quite noticeably.

Manifestations and stages of pathology

Exudative otitis in a child is a fairly common phenomenon and, according to statistics, most adults suffered from it in childhood. At preschool age, children with this disease tend to have attention disorders, developmental delays, and poor memory. Local tissue edema makes it difficult to remove exudate from the middle ear cavity. Because of this, there is a possibility of multiplication of bacteria and the transition of the disease to the purulent stage. This can cause irreversible changes in the auditory organ.

Exudative otitis media. What do you need to know about it?

treatment of exudative otitis media without surgery

Rzayev R.M. Exudative otitis media - endoscopic tympanic membrane shunting

The reasons

The causes of exacerbation of this disease in children are conditionally divided into general and local. Common include allergies, viral infections, ecology. The complication of the course of the disease is often caused by local irritants. The progression of exudative otitis media in children occurs if:

protracted sinusitis (rhinitis, frontal sinusitis);
adenoids;
swelling in the nose or throat;
abnormal structure of the ear cavity or nasopharynx;
mechanical damage in the nose;
auricle barograms;
tuberculosis.

After identifying the causes of the disease, the foci of inflammation that arose before otitis media and can be the causes of the pathology are eliminated. For example, it is necessary to remove adenoids or other sources of chronic infection. In parallel, they begin to treat exudative otitis media in a child, the treatment is carried out in a course of 10 days to 2 weeks. Then a month later, a re-diagnosis is carried out. In the case when conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical intervention is planned to remove the exudate.

How the disease manifests itself

It is extremely difficult for parents to suspect a pathology in a child due to the fact that exudative otitis media is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms. As a rule, children do not make any complaints. It is unlikely that parents can only notice the deterioration of hearing. Often the child stops responding to the call immediately, makes the TV or music louder.

Usually the development of exudative otitis is preceded by other viral infections. Cysts, polyps, adenoids, etc. can provoke the disease. that made themselves felt before the ear disease. Any factors that create pressure on the Eustachian tube in the future have the ability to lead to disease. The symptomatic picture will be the following manifestations:

noise in ears;
nasal breathing disorder;
hearing loss;
when blowing your nose, swallowing, there is a feeling of squelching, cod in the ears;
environmental sounds seem muffled and booming.

By being attentive, parents can identify exudative otitis media in older children by the symptoms of the disease. However, it is much more difficult to diagnose a baby. Often, young children with this pathology are quite restless, have sleep disturbances, scream, turn their heads, refuse to eat, often spit up. In this case, Dr. Komarovsky gives recommendations to parents of children of any age on how to independently diagnose otitis media. In his opinion, one should slightly press on the tragus (cartilage at the entrance to the ear canal) and follow the reaction of the child. If the pain causes discomfort in a child, he begins to scream and cry. In this case, you must contact a medical institution.

Chronic otitis occurs quite often. At the same time, the main complaint remains hearing loss, a feeling of pressure, bursting of the stuffy ear. Occasionally, short, low-intensity pain may occur. But it passes, and the disease continues, worsening the prognosis of recovery.

Stages of the disease

If the disease is not cured in time, a persistent phenomenon of grade 3 hearing loss will form in a few years. Taking into account the dynamics of the development of inflammatory processes and pathomorphological changes, exudative otitis media proceeds in the order of the following stages. Let's list them:

Stage 1: Eustacheitis or catarrhal. There are changes in the eardrum, which leads to hearing loss. The duration of the period is up to 30 days.
Secretory - accumulation of mucus in the eardrum. There are sensations of squelching in the ear. Lasts for 1-12 months.
Mucosal - the exudate becomes viscous and sticky, there is a thickening of the eardrum. Duration 1-2 years.
Fibrous - degenerative processes in the region of the mucous membrane, a cicatricial process begins to develop and adhesive otitis media is formed.

Therapy for otitis media in children is possible at any stage, but fairly frequent relapses will certainly lead to complications. Timely examinations by an ENT doctor will prevent the possibility of the development of pathology and irreversible processes. The child must undergo the necessary medical examinations without fail. All colds or viral diseases of the upper respiratory tract should be treated from the first days of the onset of the disease.

exudative otitis media (ESO ) is called the chronic form of otitis media, in which an accumulation of pathological fluid (exudate) occurs in the middle ear as a result of damage to its mucous membrane. With ESO, the integrity of the tympanic membrane is not broken and in the absence of an inflammatory process in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx and oropharynx, infection of the middle ear does not occur, despite the fact that the formed exudate is a favorable environment for the development of viruses and bacteria, since it is a protein environment.

It is precisely because the exudate contains a large amount of protein that over time it changes its physical properties (thickens, becomes viscous), which leads to a long and severe course of the disease.

Pain is one of the signs of inflammation. The absence of inflammatory changes in the middle ear explains why ESO is painless. This is precisely the insidiousness of this pathology.

In the medical literature, you can find other names for this common disease, namely: exudative otitis media», « secretory», « mucosal otitis media», « effusion otitis media”, “gleu ear” - “sticky ear”.

Causes of exudative otitis media in children

The main reasons contributing to the development of ESO are:

Changes in the mucous membrane of the auditory tube against the background of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the nose, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx as a result of a decrease in immunity,

Dysfunction of the auditory tube, due to dysfunction of the muscles that open it,

Obturation of the mouth of the auditory tube with adenoid vegetations (growths), hyperplastic (enlarged) tubal tonsil, cicatricial changes, benign and malignant neoplasms of the nasopharynx,

Ineffective therapy for acute otitis media,

Anatomical and physiological features of the development of the auditory tube in childhood.

It should be noted that one of the predisposing factors to the occurrence of ESO is a visit to a day care institution. At the age of 2 to 7 years, the development of this pathology may be preceded by an acute viral infection, chronic adenoiditis, acute catarrhal otitis media. In children from 8 to 15 years old, the development of exudative otitis media occurs against the background of vasomotor rhinitis or chronic rhinosinusitis.

Types of exudative otitis media in children

According to their duration, ESP is divided into three forms currents: acute (up to 3 weeks), subacute (3 to 8 weeks) and chronic (more than 8 weeks).

According to the nature of the changes occurring in the mucous membrane of the middle ear, they distinguish four forms of ESO : initial exudative, secretory, productively secretory, degenerative-secretory(with a predominance of fibro-sclerotic process).

There is another classification of ESO, which is based on similar principles (physical parameters of the contents of the tympanic cavity: viscosity, transparency, color, density and duration of the pathological process). It distinguishes four stages of the course of EOM: catarrhal (up to 1 month), secretory (from 1 to 12 months), mucosal (from 12 to 24 months), fibrous (more than 24 months).

Exudative otitis media in children.

Exudative otitis media affects both adults and small patients. But it can be more difficult to diagnose exudative otitis media in a child than in adults, not only due to insufficiently vivid symptoms, but also due to the difficulties that arise during the collection of complaints and anamnesis (small patients do not complain). Complaints and the clinical picture directly depend on the stage of the disease. The initial stage of EOM is characterized by poor complaints and clinical manifestations.

In most cases, parents seek medical care for a child only when they notice a hearing loss, that is, the child begins to speak loudly, does not immediately respond to the call, asks to turn up the volume when watching children's TV shows, which already corresponds to the productive secretory form of the disease. It is the absence of pain that leads to the late detection of EOM. But sometimes little patients are able to describe their feelings. Adults go to the doctor with complaints of a sensation of fluid in the ear (“gurgling”), a feeling of fullness, autophony, a change in hearing depending on the inclination of the head.

Diagnosis of exudative otitis media in children

For the diagnosis of ESO, an audiological examination is carried out in the Department of Pediatric ENT Pathology in the Department of Pediatric ENT Pathology, which consists of acoustic impedancemetry and tone threshold audiometry. For patients with this pathology, acoustic impedancemetry is characterized by a tympanometric curve of type "B" and the absence of ipsi-reflexes, which reflects a violation of the transmission of a sound signal along the auditory ossicles chain due to the pathological content of the middle ear (exudate), on the audiogram - an increase in air conduction thresholds to 30-40 dB, mainly at low frequencies, bone conduction is not changed. In case of recurrent course of exudative otitis media, specialists of the Department of Pediatric ENT Pathology without fail prescribe computed tomography (CT) of the temporal bones to the patient to obtain a reliable picture of the airiness of the middle ear cavity, the condition of its mucous membrane, the ossicular chain, labyrinth windows and the bone section of the auditory tube, density and localization of pathological contents.

To identify the causes contributing to the occurrence of ESO, a patient in the Department of Pediatric ENT Pathology of the NCCO FMBA of Russia undergoes an endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx or an X-ray examination of the nasopharynx (in young children if endoscopy is not possible) and paranasal sinuses.

Treatment of exudative otitis media

Treatment of patients diagnosed with POE is aimed at eliminating the causes that led to the dysfunction of the auditory tube, followed by restoration of hearing and prevention of the development of morphological changes in the mucous membrane of the middle ear.

The tactics of treatment directly depends on the stage of the disease. In the initial stages, conservative methods of treatment are prescribed:

Blowing the auditory tubes according to Polizer;

catheterization of the auditory tubes;

Physiotherapy (endoural electrophoresis with proteolytic enzymes),

Drug treatment (antihistamines, vasoconstrictors, mucolytic drugs).

If conservative methods of therapy are ineffective, the patient is shown surgical treatment aimed at eliminating the causes leading to the block of the mouth of the auditory tube and the violation of its functions (adenotomy, operations on the paranasal sinuses to sanitize chronic foci of infection).

If, two to three months after surgical treatment, pathological contents remain in the middle ear cavity and there is no aeration, then otosurgical intervention is performed (myringotomy, tympanotomy with the introduction of a ventilation tube).

Audiological control is carried out 2-3 months after surgery. When the child's hearing is normalized, the ventilation tube is removed.

In the Department of Pediatric ENT Pathology of the Federal State Budgetary Institution NCCO FMBA of Russia under the guidance of MD, prof. Yunusova A.S. successfully carry out the whole range of treatment of exudative otitis media both in outpatient and inpatient settings.

- This is a disease that leads to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear and an increase in the secretory activity of the mucous glands, as a result of which it is filled with a non-purulent fluid.

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear

The middle ear is the tympanic cavity. On the one hand, it is covered by the tympanic membrane, on the other, by the labyrinth window, at the top it has access to the mastoid process, and at the bottom is the auditory tube. A chain of auditory ossicles extends from the tympanic membrane to the oval window.

In the development of the disease, the main role is played by the obstruction of the auditory tube, which exits the middle ear into the nasopharynx. It is designed for ventilation, drainage and protection. Through it, air enters the tympanic cavity, which is necessary to equalize the pressure of the external environment, and a mucous secret comes out, which is secreted in the ear. When this channel is blocked for some reason, in the tympanic cavity, firstly, the pressure drops (since the necessary air does not enter), and secondly, an inflammatory effusion accumulates.

These factors lead to hearing impairment of varying intensity, and the presence of fluid creates favorable conditions for the development of bacteria, which is why exudative otitis media can pass into.

Types of exudative (serous) otitis media in children

This insidious ailment can develop in one ear (unilateral otitis media) or both. With bilateral exudative otitis media in children, the risk of developing hearing loss and deafness is higher. Therefore, he should be treated in a hospital, under the supervision of specialists. It should be noted that bilateral exudative otitis media in children occurs in most cases.

Exudative otitis in a child can be acute or chronic. Recently, there has been a tendency towards the predominance of sluggish forms. This is mainly due to the uncontrolled and irrational use of antibiotics, which leads to the development of bacterial resistance to them.

Chronic inflammation lasts for many years. If tubal dysfunction is not eliminated for a long time, the exudate becomes more viscous, sticky. It sticks to the walls of the Eustachian tube, the tympanic cavity and the membrane, and the auditory ossicles. As a result, adhesive processes develop, which cannot be cured otherwise than by surgery.

Exudative otitis media: causes of occurrence in childhood

The causes of exudative otitis in a child lie in infectious and non-infectious pathologies that affect the condition of the auditory tube. For example, greatly enlarged adenoids, which are very common in children. Or bacterial and viral etiology: rhinitis, etc. As mentioned earlier, the mouth of the auditory tube extends into the nasopharynx, so an infection from the nose or pharynx can penetrate into it and cause inflammation of the mucous membrane.

Increasingly, such ailments occur in people prone to allergies. Persistent allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, etc. lead to development.

The cause of serous otitis media in children can also be. Its most common pathogens are pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, streptococcus and staphylococcus aureus. Less commonly, catarrh of the ear is caused by viruses.

An important role in the development of inflammatory diseases is played by the state of immunity, and in children of the first years of life, both local protection in the mucous membrane of the ENT organs and general immunity are not strengthened.

calendula;
nightshade;
sophora japonica;
echinacea;
propolis.

Such funds are sold in pharmacies, but if desired, they can be prepared independently. The natural components of such tinctures perfectly fight inflammation, relieve pain, and speed up the healing process. Drip them 2 drops in each ear, 3 times a day.

Also, decoctions of herbs help with: yarrow, chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula, eucalyptus. Choose one or more herbs, you will need 1 tbsp. raw materials in a glass of boiling water. Just fill the grass with water, cover with a lid and let it brew for half an hour. Strain the decoction, and moisten cotton flagella in it, and then insert it into the ear canal for 20 minutes. Repeat manipulations 3 times a day.

Before you start treating exudative otitis media at home, you must first of all consult a doctor. Since the wrong treatment can harm, but not help. The doctor will tell you what not to do and what you can do. Then focus on the child's well-being: if he gets worse from some medications, then stop using them.

The consequences of serous otitis media in childhood

The concern of parents and doctors about this disease in children is well founded: late detection increases the risk of developing permanent hearing loss. The consequences of serous otitis in childhood negatively affect the formation of speech and general development in the future.

Complications of exudative otitis in children in the form of adhesive adhesive processes and cholesteatoma need to be removed surgically. After sanitizing operations on the middle ear, plastic restoration of the excised areas will be required. Such procedures rarely allow you to return the former acuity of hearing, and in some cases, their results are quite the opposite - hearing worsens even more.

Also, prolonged stagnation in the tympanic cavity can lead to inflammation of the labyrinth, in which the auditory and vestibular analyzer is located. Development leads to deafness and the appearance of vestibular disorders, in the form of dizziness, unsteady gait, nausea and vomiting, due to which a person cannot lead a normal life.

Prevention of exudative otitis media in children

To prevent the development of otitis in children, first of all, you should pay attention to the condition of the nose and throat. In particular, this applies to adenoids, because they most often cause the development of exudative otitis media. It is important to undergo preventive examinations that will help identify deviations before they become protracted.

Since it is very difficult to identify hearing loss in babies, periodic hearing tests will be relevant.

Parents of children prone to viral diseases need to think about raising immunity. A healthy, fortified diet, good sleep, outdoor sports exercises, hardening, visiting health resorts will help with this. During flu epidemics, you should refrain from visiting crowded places; for prevention, you can drink it. Try to ensure that in the cold season your child does not get cold.

The best prevention of exudative otitis media in children and adolescents is breastfeeding from the first days of life. It should last at least 3 months. Milk contains active substances, such as interferon, immunoglobulin, etc. They increase the level of protection of the child's body and suppress pathogenic infections.

In order to prevent milk from entering the auditory tube from the throat during feeding, you need to keep the baby reclining.

Pretty common. You can find out how to properly treat expectant mothers by clicking on the link.

Informative video

Exudative otitis media, or as it is called in the common people "sticky ear", got its name due to the fact that exudate (fluid) accumulates in the cavity of the eardrum for a long time and does not have an outflow. The exudate may have a liquid or viscous, even sticky consistency, which serves as a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, and the attached bacterial infection leads to the accumulation of already purulent-mucous contents.

Exudative otitis in children most often occurs in the period of 3-7 years, it occurs less frequently in adolescence and is practically not dangerous for adults. In childhood, the disease is fraught with serious complications, so parents should treat the baby in a timely manner.

The reasons

Exudative otitis media occurs due to the fact that the functionality of the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear and nasopharynx, is disrupted. In a calm state, the auditory tube collapsed, it begins to work when the child swallows or yawns, while a channel opens through which air enters in portions.

This process helps to equalize the pressure in the middle ear cavity.

Anatomical

Dysfunction of the Eustachian tube leads to the fact that the exudate produced by the tympanic cavity gradually accumulates due to low pressure, lack of ventilation and outflow, and exudative otitis media occurs. The treatment carried out at this stage will help to avoid a more complex form of the disease, such as purulent otitis (occurs due to the addition of a bacterial infection).

infectious

The following reasons can provoke an illness in a child:

infections of the nasopharynx, nasal cavity, penetrating the Eustachian tube (this is often observed with persistent respiratory diseases);
anomalies of the nasal septum (congenital or acquired) can also cause
penetration of infection into the auditory canal;
adenovirus infection (it causes the disease in a third of babies);
allergic manifestations, environmental factors, weak immune defense of the body.

Also, dysfunction of the Eustachian tube may occur due to hypertrophy or allergic inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil.

Stages of development of the disease

Otitis media of the exudative form is conditionally divided into 4 stages, which depend on the intensity, severity and duration of the disease.

catarrhal

The stage of development of the disease, in which the function of the auditory tube is impaired, the ventilation of the middle ear gradually worsens, this period lasts about 3 weeks.

Secretory

At this stage, there is a gradual accumulation of exudate. The process can take as long as 1 month, or stretch for a whole year.

Mucosal

Liquid exudate acquires a viscous consistency, becomes sticky due to excessive protein content in it. The stage lasts from 1 to 2 years. Usually only at this stage, parents can suspect the disease, and begin treatment.

Fibrous

The stage of degenerative processes of the tympanic cavity, in which the mucous tissue is deformed and the auditory ossicles are affected. The release of exudate stops.

Otitis media is difficult to recognize and has no obvious symptoms such as pain or fever, so it is often diagnosed late and usually by accident. The child, due to his age, cannot formulate a complaint normally and complain about hearing loss. Parents, in turn, often take the baby's complaints for a kind of prank, so going to the doctor and treatment is postponed indefinitely.

What should parents be concerned about?

Since the disease does not have pronounced symptoms, parents should be more attentive to the complaints of their child. If the baby keeps telling you about hearing loss for a long time, or you yourself noticed that he does not respond at the first call, makes the TV louder, and the like, you should immediately visit a doctor who will confirm, and possibly refute your suspicions.

Older children may complain of tinnitus similar to splashing water, especially with changes in head position. There may be a pressing stuffiness in the ears, and one's own voice may sound as if it were inside the head. It is impossible to ignore the complaints of the child, a long exudative process (from 3 years or more) leads to persistent hearing loss, so treatment should be carried out immediately.

Diagnostics

In young children, to make a diagnosis, it is enough to examine the eardrum (perform otoscopy) - its translucent wall allows you to see the amount of accumulated exudate. Tympanometry is also performed, this method allows you to measure the level of pressure in the middle ear.

As for older children, before prescribing treatment, the doctor conducts a hearing test, uttering the words in a whisper, which the child should repeat after him. Modern acoustic impedancemetry allows you to determine the sound permeability of the hearing aid, even in young children (2-3 years).

Sometimes, an X-ray examination may be required to establish the diagnosis, and in difficult cases, CT (computed tomography) may be required. After all the studies have been carried out and the patient's complaints have been heard, the doctor can make a diagnosis, and accordingly prescribe an adequate treatment.

Treatment Methods

First of all, the treatment consists in eliminating the causes that provoked otitis media, these can be adenoids, polyps, infections of the nose, nasopharynx and other factors. What exactly caused the development of the disease, the doctor will establish.

electrophoresis;
ultrasound;
magnetotherapy;
laser therapy (effective at the initial stage of the disease).

The most effective therapy is the use of diadynamic currents - the procedure helps to restore the patency and increase the muscle tone of the Eustachian tube, as well as remove the accumulated fluid.

Important in the treatment is blowing the auditory tubes, the procedure can be carried out in two ways. For adult children, the Valsalva method is recommended - exhaling air with a closed mouth and a nose clamped by hand, thereby air enters the auditory tube. A child under the age of 5 years is blown according to Politzer - a soft tube is inserted into one nasal passage, through which air is supplied from the balloon. In this case, the second half of the nose and mouth should be closed.

In addition, a small patient may need to take medications. These can be antibacterial agents, glucocorticosteroids, antihistamine drugs.

If conservative measures do not give positive results, surgical treatment is prescribed - an incision or puncture of the eardrum is made, through which pathological secretion is removed.

Remember, a prolonged illness can lead to permanent hearing loss. Do not ignore children's complaints, it is better to see a doctor once again than to reproach yourself for inaction all your life later.

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Exudative otitis media in children and adolescents (serous otitis media)

Exudative (serous, secretory) otitis is a disease that leads to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear and an increase in the secretory activity of the mucous glands, as a result of which it is filled with non-purulent fluid.

These factors lead to hearing impairment of varying intensity, and the presence of fluid creates favorable conditions for the development of bacteria, due to which the transition of exudative otitis media to purulent is possible.

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Types of exudative (serous) otitis media in children

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Exudative otitis media: causes of occurrence in childhood

The causes of exudative otitis in a child lie in infectious and non-infectious pathologies that affect the condition of the auditory tube. For example, greatly enlarged adenoids, which are very common in children. Or ENT diseases of bacterial and viral etiology: sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis, etc. As mentioned earlier, the mouth of the auditory tube extends into the nasopharynx, so an infection from the nose or pharynx can penetrate into it and cause inflammation of the mucous membrane.

Increasingly, such ailments occur in people prone to allergies. Persistent allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, etc. lead to the development of chronic sluggish otitis media.

The cause of serous otitis in children can also be catarrhal otitis media. Its most common pathogens are pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, streptococcus and staphylococcus aureus. Less commonly, catarrh of the ear is caused by viruses.

Influenza and SARS of the respiratory tract is a common cause of acute exudative otitis media in a child.

Predisposing factors in the occurrence of exudative otitis media are: polyps or tumors, trauma, deviated septum, hyperplasia of the mucous membrane of the pharynx or nose, congenital anomalies in development (for example, narrowness of the lumen of the tube or nasal passages). All of them can directly or indirectly lead to blockage and inflammation of the auditory tube.

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Symptoms of exudative otitis media in children

Serous inflammation of the ear is rarely accompanied by severe pain. Body temperature remains normal or rises slightly. The main symptom that indicates the presence of effusion in the tympanic cavity is discomfort, congestion and tinnitus, decreased hearing acuity in one ear. Ear congestion appears due to tubal dysfunction. It can also be indicated by autophony. Exudative otitis is mainly accompanied by stuffy nose or runny nose.

As the ear fills with fluid, the person begins to feel the fluid overflowing in the ear. This is especially noticeable when tilting the head. Later, there is a feeling of pressure and fullness.

Even adults often do not pay attention to such signs, and even more so, children cannot assess the situation and say what worries them. How to recognize the symptoms of exudative otitis media in a child? Carefully observe the behavior of your child: unreasonable mood swings, irritability, crying, anxiety, lack of mood are reasons to visit a doctor. In schoolchildren, hearing problems can manifest themselves in incorrect answers in the lesson. In general, an adult child himself will say that he does not hear well.

If there have already been cases of ear inflammation, then it is better to undergo periodic checks, since the absence of symptoms of serous otitis in children often leads to late diagnosis and the development of persistent hearing loss. Against the background of chronic inflammation, a gradual hearing loss occurs.

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Diagnosis of serous otitis media in children and adolescents

To detect exudative otitis media in children, the doctor, first of all, performs an otoscopy. If the eardrum looks retracted, this indicates a decrease in pressure in the tympanic cavity. Other signs of inflammation are enlarged vessels, discoloration of the membrane and the presence of a strip (fluid level).

Further, without fail, the doctor must examine the upper respiratory tract: nasal passages, shells and cavities, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx and opening of the auditory tube. Such a study is carried out with the help of special mirrors, in good light. If necessary, anemization of the mucous membrane is preliminarily done. During the examination, pathological changes can be detected: polyps, granulations, scars, overlapping of the lumen with a tube roller, etc. The mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube looks hyperemic, edematous or atrophied.

With exudative otitis media in a child, it is necessary to determine the degree of patency of the auditory tube. To do this, they resort to blowing: air is supplied from the balloon through the nostril. It must pass through the auditory tube to the middle ear. In this case, the doctor observes the movement of the eardrum through the otoscope. The degree of noise and vibration indicates whether the pipe passage is closed or not.

A more advanced method is impedancemetry. It is carried out using an ear probe, which simultaneously changes the pressure in the ear, gives sounds and registers feedback signals. Thus, it is possible to learn about the state of not only the Eustachian tube, but also the auditory ossicles, the tympanic cavity and the membrane. To identify hearing problems, the child is referred to an audiologist.

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Exudative otitis media in children: treatment

Treatment of unilateral and bilateral exudative otitis in a child requires an integrated approach. First you need to identify and eliminate all the causes that negatively affect the functions of the auditory tube. If necessary, acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections are treated, the nasal cavities and its paranasal sinuses are sanitized, adenoids and polyps are removed, and the nasal septum is leveled. If a child has a viral infection, a course of antibiotics is prescribed. In the presence of allergies, desensitizing therapy is used.

After such events, the capacity of the Eustachian tube is often restored, and the effusion from the middle ear is evacuated on its own. If this does not happen (which happens in advanced cases of chronic and acute exudative otitis in a child), the treatment of eustachian tube dysfunction is carried out by the following methods:

Blowing. This is the same procedure that is used for diagnosis. Air pressure, which is supplied into the nose through a rubber tube connected to a balloon, helps to open the Eustachian tube and exudate from the tympanic cavity. The pressure in the middle ear is equalized. In order to anesthetize the nasal cavity, a cotton swab with a solution of ephedrine is injected into it. In this case, the patient should lie on the sore ear so that the solution from the cotton wool flows into the mouth of the pipe. Small children for blowing are settled on their backs and fixed. Positive results are noted after the first procedure, but sometimes you have to repeat it several times.
catheterization. This method is used in those advanced cases when blowing does not give results. Catheterization is carried out by inserting a catheter through the nose so that its beak enters the mouth of the auditory tube. Through it, air can be supplied or medicinal substances can be injected. To relieve swelling, hydrocortisone is administered, and enzymes are used to thin the mucus. For efficiency, the procedure is repeated several times.
Pneumomassage of the tympanic membrane. This method of therapy has a positive effect on the muscles of the eardrum, especially if it is carried out together with blowing. It is carried out by changing the pressure in the ear canal using a pneumatic massager or manually. Blowing, catheterization and massage are complemented by various types of physiotherapy procedures: electrophoresis, laser therapy, ultrasound. Electrophoresis with Lidaza is widely used for otitis media. Under the influence of current, the drug penetrates into the tissues and accumulates directly in the focus of the disease. Treatment of exudative otitis media with a laser helps to relieve inflammation and pain. The laser thins the mucus and kills bacteria. The effectiveness of climatotherapy has also been proven. For example, rest on the southern coast of Crimea has a beneficial effect on the condition of the respiratory tract, improves the patency of the Eustachian tube.

In addition, it is possible to act on the auditory tube with the help of intranasal administration of vasoconstrictor and anti-inflammatory drops, which help reduce swelling of the mucous membrane and improve nasal breathing. The list of drugs that are shown to children:

Otrivin. Contains xylometazoline, which has the ability to constrict blood vessels, thereby reducing swelling of the nasal mucosa. Otrivin is indicated for children from 6 years of age.
Nazivin (from birth). The active substance of this vasoconstrictor drug is oxymetazoline.
Avamis. These are drops, which include the corticosteroid fluticasone furate. Avamis has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Shown from 6 years old.
Rinofluimucil. It is a combination of the vasoconstrictor tuaminoheptane and acetylcysteine, which has a mucolytic, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effect. Rinofluimucil is used for children older than 2 years.

In severe cases of exudative otitis in children, treatment with conservative methods does not help, as the fluid in the ear becomes too viscous. Then you have to eliminate the disease surgically to prevent the progression of hearing loss.

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Exudative otitis: surgery in children

The simplest operation to help free the ear cavity from pathological exudate is myringotomy, followed by the installation of a shunt. It is performed under general or local anesthesia. The eardrum is pierced and waited until all the fluid has drained through the hole. Then a shunt is installed. It can stand for a month or even several months, until the doctor notes the cessation of exudate hypersecretion. With bilateral otitis, myringotomy is performed on both ears. After the shunt is removed, the hole heals on its own or is sealed.

Although some complications are possible after myringotomy (for example, re-infection or the formation of a persistent perforation), in cases of prolonged tubal dysfunction in children with thick mucus, this procedure is the only way to prevent the development of hearing loss.

Another option for surgical treatment is tympanopuncture. First, the eardrum is anesthetized (children are usually given general anesthesia) and pierced with a needle. Then the contents of the middle ear are aspirated with a syringe. Then it is washed with a solution of hydrocortisone with adrenaline. To split too thick exudate, enzymes or thinning drugs (Mukodin) are administered.

If tympanopuncture was performed successfully, with a positive effect, then the operation may be repeated several times, until complete cleansing. It helps prevent the development of adhesive otitis media, the occurrence of cholesteatoma and scarring. When the adhesive processes have already begun, a sanitizing operation on the middle ear is prescribed, aimed at removing all the altered areas.

calendula;
nightshade;
sophora japonica;
echinacea;
propolis.

Also, with otitis media, decoctions of herbs help: yarrow, chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula, eucalyptus. Choose one or more herbs, you will need 1 tbsp. raw materials in a glass of boiling water. Just fill the grass with water, cover with a lid and let it brew for half an hour. Strain the decoction, and moisten cotton flagella in it, and then insert it into the ear canal for 20 minutes. Repeat manipulations 3 times a day.

Also, prolonged stagnation in the tympanic cavity can lead to inflammation of the labyrinth, in which the auditory and vestibular analyzer is located. The development of labyrinthitis leads to deafness and the appearance of vestibular disorders, in the form of dizziness, unsteady gait, nausea and vomiting, due to which a person cannot lead a normal life.

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Prevention of exudative otitis media in children

Since it is very difficult to identify hearing loss in babies, periodic hearing tests will be relevant.

Parents of children prone to viral diseases need to think about raising immunity. A healthy, fortified diet, good sleep, outdoor sports exercises, hardening, visiting health resorts will help with this. During flu epidemics, you should refrain from visiting crowded places; for prevention, you can drink antiviral drugs. Try to ensure that in the cold season your child does not get cold.

In order to prevent milk from entering the auditory tube from the throat during feeding, you need to keep the baby reclining.

Otitis media in pregnant women is quite common. You can find out how to properly treat expectant mothers by clicking on the link.

Be healthy!

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Treatment and symptoms of exudative otitis media

Exudative otitis is an inflammation of the middle ear, in the cavity of which exudate is formed and remains in the cavity for a long time. The disease develops in both children and adults. According to statistics, exudative otitis in children is much more common. than in adults.

Timely treatment does not require much effort, the disease "gives in" quite easily. The main thing is to start treatment on time. If you find the first signs of otitis media in yourself, especially in children, contact your doctor immediately. A qualified ENT specialist will prescribe an effective course of treatment.

The reasons
Diagnosis of the disease
Treatment

The reasons

It should be noted that this disease is the second form of otitis media. The first stage is catarrhal otitis media.

Any form of otitis media begins with an infection in the middle ear cavity. It can get there through the nasopharynx with the development of any viral diseases, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, in particular diseases associated with swelling of the mucous membranes (sinusitis). As a result of the development of infection, swelling of the mucous membranes (nose, pharynx, Eustachian tube) occurs. This leads to a violation of the ventilation of the middle ear.

Then the infection begins to actively develop. The first stage is formed - catarrhal otitis media. If there is no proper and timely treatment, the form quickly flows into exudative otitis media, especially for children.

Why is this happening? In the cavity of the middle ear, a liquid is formed, which, with the normal, natural functionality of the auditory tube, is promptly brought out. In the event of an infection, the auditory tube narrows (swells), the exit of fluid is very difficult. Then more and more fluid begins to be produced (fluid production is a response to inflammation). The ear cavity is filled with exudate, the auditory tube continues to narrow.

Lack of timely treatment leads to the formation of a purulent form of otitis media.

In the accumulated liquid, viruses and bacteria begin to develop safely. Further, from the liquid state, the exudate turns into thick mucus, which later turns into pus. What factors influence the development of this disease:

nose injury;
inflammatory diseases in the mucous membranes of the nose and nasopharynx;
lowered immunity;
inflammatory diseases of the auditory tube;
hypothermia;

The inflammatory process is the main cause of the development of the disease

Diagnosis of the disease

The form of ordinary and acute exudative otitis media is diagnosed as a result of a complete examination of the tympanic membrane, the nose area. Diagnosis is made using audiometry, tympanometry and endoscopy.

An important role in the diagnosis is given to the study of auditory function. Hearing loss should be moderate, with a conduction of 30-40 dB. X-ray data are also not neglected, in which it is possible to detect a deterioration in the pneumatization of the cells of the mastoid process.

Symptoms of exudative otitis:

hearing loss;
feeling of fullness in the ears;
autophony - you hear yourself;
nasal congestion;
sensation of fluid transfusion in the ear cavity.

As a rule, the patient does not experience acute pain in the ears, head, and there is no temperature. These symptoms are inherent in the catarrhal form.

It is worth noting that these symptoms are not very pronounced in children. The only important and true symptom is hearing loss. If the treatment of exudative otitis in a child was started or it was completely absent, in this case, after 3-4 years, a persistent form of hearing loss may develop.

Hearing loss is one of the main symptoms of exudative otitis media.

Treatment

Treatment of exudative otitis media is prescribed depending on the condition of the hearing, the ear itself, the duration of the infection, and the cause of the disease.

In most cases, patients suffer from difficulty breathing. Therefore, procedures are being carried out to restore it - this is the treatment of diseases of the nose, troubleshooting in the nasal septum, the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, etc.

The next stage is the restoration of the patency of the auditory tube, i.e. restoration of its drainage function. As a rule, physiotherapy is used for this - ultrasound, laser therapy, electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, etc. To remove exudate from the tympanic cavity, to tone the muscles of the auditory tube and to improve its patency, pneumomassage of the eardrums, special blowing (blowing according to Politzer) is used.

In some cases, antibiotic therapy is prescribed to treat exudative otitis media. However, the inclusion of antibiotics in mainstream treatment is still a controversial issue. Surgery is also indicated.

The goal of surgical treatment is to restore hearing function and prevent further development of the disease.

Shunting (dissection) of the eardrum and the installation of a special shunt has become widespread. Through the installed shunt, special medications are introduced that help thin the exudate.

Exudative otitis media in children: causes, symptoms, treatment and other recommendations + Komarovsky's video

Exudative otitis media is often confused with acute otitis media. Although the symptoms of these two forms of ear disease are fundamentally different. With exudative inflammation, pain is almost completely absent, so diagnosing the disease can be difficult. This is especially problematic in children, who may not express any complaints at all. However, if left untreated, it can lead to hearing loss.

What is a disease

In connection with the defeat of the mucous membrane of the middle ear, pathological mucus - exudate accumulates inside the organ. Therefore, the disease has received the appropriate name. Despite the fact that mucus is a favorable factor for the reproduction of pathogens, infection of the middle ear occurs only in rare cases. The condition of the tympanic membrane remains the same, there are no holes. If the child does not have inflammatory processes in the maxillary sinuses or oral cavity, the infection does not enter the middle ear.

schematic representation of the pathological process

Normally, fluid is constantly secreted in the middle ear. If there are no obstacles for this, the exudate comes out without problems. The person does not notice this. Problems begin when the ear canal becomes blocked.

Often, exudative otitis media is the result of not fully cured acute otitis media. At the same time, the main symptoms of the disease, such as pain, decreased performance, fatigue, disappear. Exudate begins to stand out from the ear.

Exudative otitis is an insidious pathology. If there is no infection, the patient will not complain of pain in the ear. In this case, the process of destruction of the mucous membrane will continue, the functions of the organ will deteriorate. In the medical literature, you can find other names for the pathological process, such as "sticky ear", "mucosal otitis media", "secretory otitis media".

The disease can be encountered by both adults and small patients. However, the disease is more common in children. To the greatest extent, exudative otitis media affects children 3–7 years old. The absence of bright symptoms leads to the fact that the treatment of the disease is not carried out in a timely manner. Parents seek help only when they notice a significant hearing loss in their child. At the same time, in most cases, chronic otitis media is diagnosed, requiring longer treatment.

Forms of the disease

Depending on the duration of the course, three forms of exudative otitis media are distinguished:

acute (less than 3 weeks);
subacute (the disease lasts up to 8 weeks);
chronic (more than 8 weeks).

Due to the fact that the tactics of treating acute and subacute forms of the disease are identical, many doctors distinguish only two forms of otitis media - acute and chronic.

Depending on the spread of the inflammatory process, otitis media can be unilateral (left-sided or right-sided), as well as bilateral.

The development of the disease can take place in four periods:

Primary or catarrhal otitis. Only minor changes appear on the mucous membrane. Lasts up to 1 month
Secretory otitis. During this period, a viscous secret begins to stand out. The disease can last from a month to a year.
Mucosal otitis. The disease lasts up to two years. There is significant hearing loss.
Fibrous otitis. The pathological process lasts more than two years. Inflammation affects the bone tissue. Non-functioning cells are replaced by connective tissue. Scars and adhesions appear in the ear, as a result of which hearing deteriorates even more.

Causes and factors of the development of the inflammatory process in children

Despite the fact that exudative otitis media in most cases proceeds without accompaniment of acute infections in the oral cavity or nasopharynx, past diseases can provoke a pathological process. Fluid in the middle ear may appear after acute otitis media, sinusitis, laryngitis, or other ailments.

Often, exudative otitis media is observed in young children whose parents during the period of acute illness preferred to carry out therapy on their own at home. It should be understood that the absence of vivid symptoms does not mean that the inflammation was completely eliminated.

Other causes of exudative otitis include:

Dysfunction of the auditory tube. The problem may be related to muscle dysfunction.
Blockage of the auditory tube due to the growth of adenoids, the appearance of scars or adhesions in the ear, the formation of benign and malignant tumors.
Individual features of the development of the auditory tube.

Incompletely diagnosed disease can lead to the development of exudative otitis

In children, exudative otitis media develops much more often, since babies, due to an underdeveloped immune system, are more susceptible to various viral and bacterial infections. An ear disease can develop as a complication of rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, etc.

Due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the skull, exudative otitis often develops in children suffering from Down syndrome.

Symptoms of the disease

The most difficult thing is to diagnose the disease in newborns and infants. Pain sensations are absent. Therefore, the baby sleeps normally, does not act up, eats well. Mom has nothing to worry about. Pay attention to the dryness of the ears. Abundant clear or yellowish discharge may alert.

Early on, there may be no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of the disease manifest themselves depending on the stage.

The first stage is catarrhal otitis media. At this time, the symptoms may be almost completely absent or they will not be pronounced enough. Slight mucus discharge is observed. As a rule, no one pays attention to this sign initially. Due to the growing vacuum in the ear cavity, hearing may be slightly impaired.
The second stage is secretory otitis media. In the tympanic cavity, the amount of fluid begins to rapidly increase, abundant discharge from the affected ear appears. Hearing changes appear. The patient may complain of pressure in the ear, a feeling of fullness. The patient may hear extraneous sounds (tinnitus).
The third stage is mucosal otitis media. At this time, the mucus becomes more viscous, its exit through the hole to the outside becomes more complicated. The patient develops deafness. Words uttered in a whisper, he almost does not hear.
The fourth stage is fibrous otitis media. At this stage, irreversible destructive processes in the ear cavity can be observed. There is a risk of complete hearing loss. At this time, mucus secretions almost completely disappear. Connective tissue grows, there is a risk of malignant neoplasms in the ear.

The first stage refers to the subacute form of exudative otitis media. The second stage is the acute form of the disease. The third and fourth stages refer to the chronic form of the pathological process.

Hearing loss is one of the signs of a pathological process.

Common symptoms of the disease, which can occur at any stage, include:

hearing loss;
feeling of liquid sloshing inside the ear;
the audibility of one's own voice "from outside".

The general condition of the patient does not worsen. He feels great and can lead a normal life. Body temperature does not rise.

Diagnosis of exudative otitis in children up to a year and older

Due to the absence of any complaints from small patients (children under 7 years old), it is quite difficult to diagnose the disease. The pathological process is often detected quite by accident at the next examination by an otolaryngologist. However, on the basis of visual examination alone, the doctor cannot make an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, the following methods are used:

Hearing research. Even a slight change in function may indicate the development of the disease.
Examination of the patency of the auditory tube by blowing. For the procedure, a balloon and a catheter are used.
Otoscopy. With the help of a special lighting device, the doctor can see what condition the middle ear is in.
Microotoscopy. Using a special microscope, the doctor examines the condition of the eardrum.

Visual inspection is a mandatory method for diagnosing exudative otitis

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is important to find out what diseases the child has had, how long ago this or that infection had to be treated. X-rays can help detect pathology. If the clinic has the appropriate resources, the patient will be assigned a computed tomography of the temporal bone.

Chronic exudative otitis media should be differentiated from ear tumors, otomycosis, chronic purulent otitis media, congenital anomalies in the development of the hearing aid.

Treatment of the disease

The tactics of therapy depends on the stage of development of the pathological process and is aimed, first of all, at eliminating the causes of the disease. Initially, all the actions of the otolaryngologist are associated with the restoration of the patency of the auditory tube. Further procedures are carried out to restore hearing.

An integrated approach, including the use of medications and physiotherapy, helps to get rid of the pathology. In some cases, surgery may be needed.

With caution, it is necessary to bathe children who suffer from exudative otitis media. Avoid getting ordinary water in your ears.

Medical therapy

Medicines are prescribed to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms that accompany the disease. The specialist may prescribe medications from the following groups:

Antiallergic drugs. With their help, it is possible to remove edema. Means Sanorin, Erius, Claritin can be appointed.
Mucolytics. These drugs make the exudate more liquid, which contributes to its release. Good results are shown by means of Rinofluimucil, ACC.
Vitamins. Appointed to strengthen the body's defenses.

If otitis media is accompanied by a viral or bacterial infection, antibiotics, antiviral drugs, drugs with an immunostimulating effect may be additionally prescribed.

Preparations - gallery

Vitamins will help strengthen the body's defenses Mucolytic will make mucus less viscous Antiallergic agent will help relieve swelling

Physiotherapy

It is possible to achieve an improvement in the patency of the Eustachian tube with the help of physical impact. In the treatment of exudative otitis media, the following methods are used:

ultrasound;
magnetotherapy;
pneumomassage of eardrums;
laser therapy (used when the disease has not yet become chronic);
electrophoresis.

Good results are obtained by blowing through the Politzer. Air is introduced into the middle ear cavity through the Eustachian tube. Before the procedure, the nose must be cleared of mucus. A suitable vasoconstrictor drug is used to reduce swelling. In acute inflammation of the oropharynx or nasopharynx, manipulations are not carried out. There is a risk of infection in the middle ear, which will lead to the development of purulent otitis media.

Unfortunately, many physiotherapy methods are not suitable for the treatment of children due to the fact that the patient's complicity is required for the correct procedure. For blowing, an elastic catheter is used. So, it is possible to avoid injury to the mucous membranes if the child turns his head sharply.

An otolaryngologist can make a decision to perform an operation at advanced stages of the disease, when it is no longer possible to achieve positive results with the help of conservative treatment. Today, two methods of surgical therapy are used - myringotomy and tympanopuncture.

Myringotomy is a procedure in which a small incision is made in the eardrum to release accumulated fluid and relieve pressure in the middle ear. The eardrum usually heals within a few days. To prevent the hole from closing ahead of time, a drain is inserted into it. The method is effective only if the cause of the pathological process has been eliminated. If this is not done, the eardrum will heal, exudate will accumulate again.

Tympanopuncture is a more effective technique. Surgical intervention is often performed if exudative otitis media was encountered due to anomalies in the development of the hearing aid. Initially, a hole is also made in the eardrum. In the future, a special tube is inserted through it, through which the liquid will exit. In addition, through the hole, if necessary, you can enter the drug. The tube can be in the ear from several months to a year. The downside is that a foreign body increases the risk of infection in an open membrane. In addition, you should be careful not to get moisture into the hole.

Both surgeries are performed with local anesthesia. The intervention can be performed both in a hospital setting and on an outpatient basis.

Traditional medicine to help

It is impossible to cure exudative otitis with the help of traditional medicine recipes alone. However, they can be used in combination with traditional therapy in consultation with the doctor. Many folk remedies significantly speed up the healing process.

Herbal preparations

Dry leaves of plantain, yarrow, eucalyptus, lavender must be combined in equal proportions. A tablespoon of ready-made raw materials must be poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted in a thermos overnight. The finished product must be taken orally 50 ml three times a day. This recipe helps to make the exudate more liquid, facilitates its release. Good results can be achieved if a swab is moistened in the product and inserted into the ear for 20-30 minutes daily.

Onion

The product is suitable for the treatment of acute otitis, which often causes the exudative form of the disease. You can use the raw product. Soak the turunda in the juice of fresh onions and insert it into the ear for several hours. The product will reduce pain, facilitate the release of mucus. Slightly warmed juice can also be instilled in the ear in its pure form.

Laurel decoction

A few dry bay leaves of small size must be poured with a glass of water and boiled over low heat for 15 minutes. Then the product must be covered with a lid and wrapped in a towel for 2 hours. Further, the medicine is used for instillation into the sore ear (5-7 drops three times a day).

Chamomile

This plant is truly versatile. It is used for a variety of diseases and exudative otitis media is no exception. A tablespoon of a dry plant must be poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for at least 20 minutes under a closed lid. After the product has cooled down, it can be taken orally, and also used for instillation of a diseased ear 2-3 times a day (5 drops each).

Folk remedies - gallery

Onion will relieve inflammation Bay leaf will make the exudant less viscous Chamomile is a universal anti-inflammatory agent

Prognosis of treatment and prevention

With early detection of the disease, the prognosis is favorable. But the delay in medical intervention can lead to the development of serious complications. Among them:

retraction of the membrane into the ear cavity;
irreversible hearing loss;
chronic suppurative otitis media;
the formation of adhesions in the eardrum, which significantly impairs hearing;

Prevention of the disease consists, first of all, in the timely treatment of pathological processes that can lead to blockage of the ear canal and accumulation of exudate in the middle ear. Parents with signs of rhinitis, laryngitis, otitis media, tonsillitis and other infectious diseases of the oropharynx or nasopharynx in children should immediately seek medical help.

Video: otitis media - Dr. Komarovsky's school

Exudative otitis media is an unpleasant pathology that, if left untreated, can lead to complete hearing loss. Regular visits to the doctor for preventive examination will help to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Timely treatment does not require much effort, the disease "gives in" quite easily. The main thing is to start treatment on time! If you find the first signs of otitis media in yourself, especially in children, contact your doctor immediately. A qualified ENT specialist will prescribe an effective course of treatment.

It should be noted that this disease is the second form of otitis media. belongs to the first stage.

Lack of timely treatment leads to the formation of a purulent form of otitis media.

nose injury;
inflammatory diseases in the mucous membranes of the nose and nasopharynx;
lowered immunity;
inflammatory diseases of the auditory tube;
hypothermia;

The inflammatory process is the main cause of the development of the disease

Diagnosis of the disease

Symptoms of exudative otitis media:

hearing loss;
feeling of fullness in the ears;
autophony - you hear yourself;
nasal congestion;
sensation of fluid transfusion in the ear cavity.

As a rule, the patient does not experience acute pain in the ears, head, and there is no temperature. These symptoms are inherent in the catarrhal form.

Hearing loss is one of the main symptoms of exudative otitis media.

Treatment

Treatment of exudative otitis media is prescribed depending on the condition of the hearing, the ear itself, the duration of the infection, and the cause of the disease.

The goal of surgical treatment is to restore hearing function and prevent further development of the disease.

Shunting (dissection) of the eardrum and the installation of a special shunt has become widespread. Through the installed shunt, special medications are introduced that help thin the exudate.