Middle ear infection.
An infection of the middle ear, usually accompanied by headaches and fever.
A common infection of the middle ear, which can lead to ear and hearing problems.
Inflammation or infection of the middle ear, a common disorder of children, often occurring as an upper respiratory infection spreads through the eustachian tube. Pain, diminished hearing, and fever typically occur. Treatment is by antimicrobials, pain relievers, and decongestants.
Inflammation of the middle ear resulting from infection, affecting one or both ears. Otitis media is most common in young children but may also affect older children and adults.
Ear inflammation, characterized by symptoms such as pain, fever, hearing abnormalities, hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and dizziness (vertigo).
Middle ear inflammation refers to the inflammation occurring within the space between the eardrum and the inner ear.
This condition arises from an infection, typically viral or bacterial, that often ascends through the eustachian tube—a pathway connecting the back of the nose to the middle ear. Inflammation or enlarged adenoids can obstruct this tube, leading to the accumulation of fluid and/or pus within the middle ear instead of proper drainage. Otitis media is more prevalent in children, especially those under the age of seven, due to their relatively shorter eustachian tubes, and some children experience recurring episodes of this condition.
Acute otitis media can result in abrupt and intense ear pain, a sensation of ear fullness, hearing impairment, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear), and fever. In some cases, the eardrum might rupture, leading to the release of pus and alleviation of pain. If this occurs, the eardrum typically heals within a few weeks.
The diagnosis of this condition involves using an otoscope to examine the middle ear, where the eardrum might appear red and potentially bulging. Treatment typically entails administering pain-relieving medications (analgesics). In cases where the infection is bacterial, antibiotic drugs might be prescribed.
A consequence of otitis media is the development of glue ear, characterized by the accumulation of thick fluid in the ear that can impair hearing. Glue ear often occurs as a result of frequent or severe otitis media, primarily seen in children.
In exceptional instances, the infection can extend inward, leading to the occurrence of mastoiditis, which is the inflammation of the mastoid bone within the skull.