Dealing with Otitis Media: Diagnosis and Management

Saori Yoshida

doi:10 .4172/2327-4581.1000411

Short Communication, J Otol Rhinol Vol: 12 Issue: 2

Dealing with Otitis Media: Diagnosis and Management

Saori Yoshida^*

¹Department of Otolaryngology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan

*Corresponding Author: Saori Yoshida
Department of Otolaryngology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
E-mail: yoshidasaori@gmail.com

Received date: 20 February, 2023, Manuscript No. JOR-23-93001;

Editor assigned date: 22 February, 2023, PreQC No. JOR-23-93001 (PQ);

Reviewed date: 08 March, 2023, QC No. JOR-23-93001;

Revised date: 15 March, 2023, Manuscript No. JOR-23-93001 (R);

Published date: 22 March, 2023, DOI: 10.4172/2324-8785.100045

Citation: Yoshida S (2023) Dealing with Otitis Media: Diagnosis and Management. J Otol Rhinol 12:2.

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Description

Otitis refers to an inflammation or infection of the ear, which can be caused by a variety of factors. Otitis can affect any part of the ear, including the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. There are several types of otitis, including otitis externa (also known as swimmer's ear), otitis media, and otitis interna (also known as labyrinthitis). Otitis can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, allergies, or other underlying conditions. The symptoms of otitis can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Treatment options for otitis depend on the cause and severity of the condition.

Otitis Media (OM) is an inflammation of the middle ear's mucoperiosteal lining. Otitis medium can be classified as acute or chronic, suppurative or serous [1-3]. Extension into the nearby mastoid air cells, which causes mastoiditis, and tympanic membrane perforation, which causes otitis externa, are two complications. A history of sudden start of symptoms, middle ear effusion, and indicators of middle ear infection are necessary for the diagnosis of acute otitis media.

Causes

Daycare use, wood stoves, parental smoking or exposure to other secondhand smoke, food allergies, not breastfeeding, pacifier use, prior antibiotic use, winter season, underlying rhinitis, cleft palate, and Down's syndrome are the main risk factors for OM. The most frequent mechanism and underlying cause of OM is aberrant ET function.

Eustachian Tube (ET) controls the middle ear's gas pressure, shields it from pathogens and secretions from the nose and throat, and drains fluids. Via the action of the surrounding muscles, swallowing opens the ET. Because to a smaller diameter and more horizontal posture, infants and young children are more prone to ET issues.

If immunity is compromised and harmful microorganisms are present, ET blockage permits fluid accumulation and bacterial infection. Obstruction is caused by the tube collapsing (due to weak tissues or an incorrect opening mechanism), allergy-induced mucus blocking the tube, mucosal edoema, or infection [4-6].

Genetics

In OM history, monozygotic twins had a higher rate of concordance than dizygotic twins. Human leukocyte antigens and investigations of immunoglobulin markers have not revealed any genetic influences.

Children with blood type A have a 50% greater infection incidence and are more likely to experience severe and recurrent episodes of OM. Children with OM before the age of one who have blood type A mothers had a startling 2677% higher incidence of recurring ear infections.

Standard medical procedure

Children who already have tubes in their ears are more likely to develop additional OM issues. For the majority of kids, surgery is not essential. Just 42% of these operations are deemed necessary. There are no discernible differences between conventional therapy and a placebo in the clinical outcome of acute OM. There are no differences between ear tubes, antibiotic-infused ear tubes, and non-antibiotic treatment. Due to immunological suppression and disruption of the respiratory microbiota caused by antibiotics, children who are not receiving antibiotics may experience fewer recurrences than those who are [7,8].

Antibiotics shouldn't be initially regularly provided for all children with acute OM because the majority of them (70%–90%) resolve spontaneously in 7-14 days. Most paediatric cases of OM do not need for the use of antibiotics. Within 48 hours of receiving a placebo, 80% of children with acute OM respond to conventional alternative analgesics and intensive parental monitoring. Botanical ear drops are a safe, natural substitute to avoid analgesic harm.

Allergic reactions, unsettled stomach, rapid bacterial resistance, and unfavourable changes in nasopharyngeal bacterial flora are among the risks associated with antibiotics. Antibiotics cause repeat visits to the doctor's office and fail to completely remove microbes. Treatment with steroids and antibiotics at the same time does not work well.

Chronic candidiasis and "superbugs" resistant to antibiotics are brought on by antibiotics. They should only be applied to systemic infections that are underlying. OM typically limits itself. During 2 to 14 days, 80 percent of paediatric cases spontaneously resolve; in children under 2 years old, the spontaneous resolution rate is lower at 30 percent after a few days [9,10].

Analyze every child separately. Prior to deciding against using traditional medication, establish a method for physicianfamily dialogue. Ear tubes may be recommended in some situations to minimise developmental delays brought on by hearing loss. Since OM is complex, the benefits of pneumococcal and viral vaccinations are minimal. Vaccinations are recommended at this time for the prevention of OM, although they come with risks and problems.