In acute otitis media (Acute otitis media) it is a viral or bacterial inflammation. Viruses or bacteria migrate through the nasopharynx to the middle ear and cause inflammation there.
The Signs for an otitis media can initially be unspecific. With an acute otitis media it comes first to severe earache, whereby the pain is usually only localized on one side as the otitis media is often only one-sided. In some patients, it happens too increased feeling of pressure on the diseased side, also a Beat be heard.
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Also increased dizziness is a typical first sign of otitis media. This is because in our ear, in addition to the various ossicles and the "inner ear“For acoustic listening also ours Balance organ, the so-called Vestibular apparatus, lies. If, due to an otitis media, there is a slight constriction or incorrect irritation of the equilibrium organ, this can lead to dizziness and possibly even a one-sided tendency to fall. Mostly, however, the patients feel "just“A slight dizziness.
Since it is a inflammatory reaction If viruses or bacteria are involved, the classic symptoms of inflammation also occur. Therefore also can fever, Night sweats and Body aches be the first signs of an otitis media. In addition, the body defends itself with the innate immune system against the bacteria or the viruses. Therefore, in addition to pain in the middle ear, there is also a Redness and one swelling, In addition, the ear area can become warm.
$config[ads_text2] not foundThe swelling can reduce the hearing impression or it can false noises in the ears (Tinnitus) form.
Since the middle ear is connected directly to the nose, the first sign of otitis media can also be simple harmless-looking runny nose be. However, as soon as there is increased earache and an uncomfortable feeling of pressure in the ear, the signs are clearly to be assessed as otitis media.
Later, the signs of otitis media change. There is a so-called ear trumpet (Tuba auditiva) which connects the middle ear to the throat. Often the ear trumpet closes because of the swelling of an otitis media. In this case, the mucus that has formed can no longer enter the ear trumpet Pharynx drain like the mucus normally would. Consequently More and more mucus and more and more fluid collect in the middle ear. As a result, the pressure increases and the patient experiences increasing pain and, above all, an increasing feeling of pressure.
These are the final signs of otitis media that should be taken very seriously. If the pressure continues to rise, it can be that the pressure becomes so strong that it does eardrum tear down. The eardrum usually separates this Middle ear from Outer ear. If the eardrum is now defective, the accumulated fluid and the accumulated mucus can escape to the outside and the feeling of pressure as well as the pain decrease immediately. For that there is now one discharge, which usually consists of pus, sometimes blood and especially a lot of fluid, out of the middle ear. Of the Discharge of pus from the middle ear is the final sign of otitis media and should be avoided at best. In most cases, however, the eardrum heals again even after a rupture of the eardrum and no long-term effects are to be expected.
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$config[ads_text3] not foundIt is important to note that adults are always easier to diagnose than children. At Children In addition to ear pain, there are often unspecific ones stomach pain and mostly too severe fever. Therefore, the diagnosis is often more difficult here and it should be noted whether the child, for example more often problems with hearing has or whether it keeps its ear more often.
They are a little different from acute otitis media Signs of chronic otitis media. A chronic otitis media is present when the patient over months has symptoms of otitis media. Here it comes, similar to acute otitis media Hearing loss and wrong hearing impressions.
A distinctive sign of chronic otitis media is that persistent, sometimes purulent discharge of secretion from the earwhich, however, can also be prevented in phases.
Another sure sign of chronic otitis media is this tremendous growth of inflammatory tissue. In this case one speaks of a Cholesteatoma. In addition, the eardrum can be reddened, sometimes even scarred, due to the constant stress.