Otitis media

Otitis Media is more commonly known as Inflammation of the Middle Ear.

Acute Otitis Media is inflammation of the lining (mucous membrane) of the middle ear, often accompanied by an accumulation of fluid (effusion) The condition involves the area behind the eardrum, containing three delicate bones (ossicles), which transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner ear (cochlea).

Acute Otitis Media is a common infection in infants and children. Many children will have at least one episode of Acute Otitis Media before they are one year old and it is common for them to have more than one episode as they grow older.

It can also occur in adults, but is not as common.

Chronic Otitis Media is inflammation of the middle ear for a prolonged period of time. Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media is usually associated with perforation of the eardrum. Otorrhea is discharge from the ear.

Recognizing the Symptoms

With Acute Otitis Media, many symptoms are nonspecific and can include tiredness, vomiting, or diarrhea. Younger children are often upset or fussy and seem generally unwell. They may pull or scratch the ears. The symptoms usually occur along with a cold, stuffy nose, and fever. Hearing loss may occur.

Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media is characterized by perforation (tearing) of the eardrum with discharge from the outer ear. It may follow Acute Otitis Media.

The condition may lead to other serious complications and treatment with systemic antibiotics may be necessary.

Common symptoms of Labyrinthitis include a loss of balance, a spinning sensation (vertigo), vomiting, nausea, deafness, and a hissing or ringing sensation (tinnitus).