Otitis media

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In the case of otitis media, the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity (cavity in the middle ear) is inflamed. The doctor often prescribes painkillers for treatment, and if necessary antibiotics for otitis media. But what can you do yourself to alleviate the symptoms and prevent otitis media from recurring? Read everything you need to know about otitis media here.

ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. H65H67

Middle ear infection: description

One speaks of otitis media when the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity is inflamed. A distinction is made between different types of otitis media. Duration and frequency are the decisive criteria here:

• Acute otitis media acuta: A sudden inflammation with typical symptoms and findings during an ear speculum.
• Recurrent otitis media: At least three infections of the middle ear within half a year or at least four in one year.
• Chronic otitis media chronica: inflammation that has persisted for at least two months. Discharge and rupture of the eardrum often accompany it.

The reason for this inflammation is often a cold of the nasopharynx. This is why otitis media occurs more frequently between December and March. The pathogens (mainly bacteria) enter the tympanic cavity via the connection between the throat and the middle ear - the Eustachian tube - and cause the inflammation there.

In rare cases, pathogens can reach the middle ear through the external auditory canal, for example through dirty bath water. However, this is only possible if the eardrum is torn.

Viruses can reach the tympanic cavity through the blood and cause otitis media.

Otitis media: toddler

Children are particularly susceptible to otitis media. You can read more about inflammation in toddlers in the article otitis media - toddler.

Otitis media: symptoms

Read more about the signs of otitis media in the article otitis media - symptoms.

Middle ear infection: causes and risk factors

An otitis media is often caused by a cold of the nasopharynx. This is why otitis media occurs more frequently between December and March. The pathogens (mainly bacteria) get through the connection between the throat and the middle ear - the Eustachian tube - into the tympanic cavity in the middle ear and cause the inflammation there.

In rare cases, pathogens can reach the middle ear through the external auditory canal, for example through dirty bath water. However, this is only possible if the eardrum is torn.

Viruses can reach the tympanic cavity through the blood and cause otitis media.

Is otitis media contagious?

Parents in particular ask themselves this question when their children's playmates suffer from otitis media. The answer: There is no need to worry - otitis media is usually not contagious.

Otitis media: examinations and diagnosis

To make the diagnosis of otitis media, your doctor will first ask you in detail about your medical history (anamnesis). He will ask you the following questions, among others:

• Since when are you having those complaints?
• Have you had similar complaints in the past?
• Have you recently had a cold or the flu?
• Can you hear worse in one ear?
• Is there pus running out of her ear?

Your doctor will then examine you. To do this, he examines your ears with a so-called otoscope, an ear mirror with a light source and a magnifying glass. He can see the eardrum, which in otitis media is often bulging, has a lot of blood and is dull. Sometimes there is a tear in the eardrum and a purulent fluid leaks out of the middle ear.

Otitis media: treatment

The treatment of otitis media is usually symptomatic. This means that the complaints are combated and not the cause directly. One of the reasons for this is that various pathogens can trigger otitis media and, for example, antibiotics are not effective against viruses and not every antibiotic is effective against every type of bacteria.

Painkiller

In simple cases of otitis media, pain-relieving treatment is therefore initiated first. Pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are given in tablet form or as juice. In addition to the analgesic effect, these drugs also lower the fever.

Decongestant nasal drops and sprays

Decongestant nasal drops or sprays are also useful because they improve the ventilation of the middle ear. It also allows fluid that has formed in the middle ear due to the inflammation to drain away. Ear drops, however, do not help.

Antibiotics

If there is no improvement within one to two days or if there is a severe otitis media, for example if both ears are affected, antibiotics are prescribed. Depending on the active ingredient, the treatment lasts about seven days. It is important that you take the antibiotics as directed by your doctor and that you do not stop treatment prematurely.

Schüssler salts and homeopathy

Many people with otitis media use homeopathy or Schüssler salts to fight the symptoms.

Aconitum or Ferrum phosphoricum, for example, are recommended as homeopathic remedies. Ferrum phosphoricum is also considered to be helpful in otitis media among the Schüßler salts, as is, for example, sodium phosphoricum. Let a specialist advise you!

Otitis media: home remedies

Can you also do something yourself with otitis media? Yes, with home remedies. For example, you can put a soothing onion or chamomile flower bag against the inflammation on the ear. Many patients also find other warming home remedies pleasant.

You can read more about this in the article otitis media - home remedies.

Air travel despite otitis media?

Many patients wonder if they should fly with an otitis media. In principle, this is not prohibited. However, the swelling of the ear trumpet makes pressure equalization difficult. In particular, the pressure fluctuations during take-off and landing can cause pain.

If you are unable to postpone your flight, it is advisable to use a decongestant nasal spray before takeoff and landing. This is how the pressure equalization can be supported. You should also have pain relievers with you so that you can treat any discomfort.

Otitis media: disease course and prognosis

As a rule, otitis media heals without any consequences. After two to seven days, around 80 percent of the patients are free of symptoms.

However, sometimes chronic otitis media develops or complications arise. The most common complication of otitis media is inflammation of the mastoid process (mastoiditis). It is part of the skull bone, lies directly next to the middle ear and, like this, is filled with air. Mastoiditis often damages the bones and the inflammation can spread to the meninges or the brain.

Furthermore, repeated otitis media in small children can lead to hearing loss and thus to a delay in speech development. Inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinthitis) as a result of an otitis media is also possible.

This is how you prevent otitis media

If you have repeated otitis media, it is advisable to consult an ear, nose and throat specialist. He can determine the possible reason for this (for example enlarged tonsils) and treat it. In addition, a so-called ventilation tube can be inserted into the eardrum, which ensures better ventilation of the middle ear.

To prevent a renewed otitis media, patients should rest long enough and drink plenty of water or tea. In addition, the home environment should be free from cigarette smoke. Colds should also be prevented with appropriate behavior, as they are the most common cause of otitis media.

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