A Simple Guide to Otitis media
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What is Otitis media?
---------------------------------------
Otitis media is acute or chronic inflammation of the middle ear.
Otitis media occurs in the area between the ear drum (the end of the outer ear) and the inner ear, including a duct known as the Eustachian tube.
Who is affected by Otitis media?
---------------------------------------------------
1.childhood, usually related to viral upper respiratory tract infection
2.family history of middle ear disease.
What are the Causes of Otitis media?
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Bacterial infections:
1.Streptococcus pneumoniae
2.Haemophilus influenzae
3.staphylococcus aureus
4.Moraxella catarrhalis, a gram-negative diplococcus.
5.Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
6.E.coli
Viral infections:
1.common cold.
2.measles
What is the Types of Otitis Media?
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1. Acute otitis media
Acute otitis media ia an acute infection of the middle ear which usually occurs as a result of viral upper respiratory tract infection that can occur at least twice a year
2.Chronic otitis media
Chronic otitis media occurs following acute otitis media with chronic infection of the middle ear and ear perforation.
3.Otitis media with effusion:
Otitis media with effusion occurs when fluid occurs in the middle ear due to blockage of the eustachian tube.
What are the complications of Otitis media?
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1.mastoiditis
2.labrynthitis
3.facial nerve palsy
4.meningitis,
5.brain abscess,
6.febrile seizures.
7.death if a severe infection goes untreated long enough
What are the Symptoms and signs of Otitis media?
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1. cold: stuffy nose
2. earache - The pain lasts a day or two.
3. high fever - may cause seizures if very high
4. discharging pus from the ruptured eardrum
Usually the ruptured drum will usually heal spontaneously
5.Eustachian tube becomes blocked resulting in hearing loss
Signs:
1.Ear drum (tympanic membrane) inflamed and bulging with loss of normal outline
2.Decreased or displaced light reflex of ear drum
3.perforation of ear drum
4.mucopurulent discharge from ear after perforation
How is diagnosis of Otitis media made?
-----------------------------------------------
1.Inflamed ear drum with loss of normal outline, decreased light reflex, bulging and perforation and purulent discharge.
2.Culture and sensitivity of pus swab
3.Nasal and pharyngeal swabs my also be done
4.X-rays or MRI of the mastoid air cells
5.Audiogram for hearing loss
What is the treatment of Otitis media?
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Acute otitis media
1. Antibiotics may be commenced if fever is high or the culture showed bacterial infections.
2.Fever and pain may be treated with paracetamol
3.Antihistamines may be given for rhinitis or runny nose.
4.Decogestants may be necessary for blockage of eustachian tube
5.Bed rest and Fluids
6.Myringoplasty -Puncture of bulging ear drum if painful and aspiration of pus or fluid in the middle ear.
7.Tympanoplasty for eardrum whose perforation does not heal.
8.Mastoidectomy to remove cholesteatoma(growing of skin into middle ear cavity) in chronic otitis media with mastoiditis.
What is the prognosis of Otitis media?
-----------------------------------------
Prognosis with appropriate treatment is generally good.
Ear drum perforation usually heal spontaneously in most cases.
What are Preventive measures for Otitis media?
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Avoid swimming and diving.
Proper ear hygiene.
Showing posts with label otitis media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label otitis media. Show all posts
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
A Simple Guide to Measles
A Simple Guide to Measles
--------------------------------
What is Measles?
---------------------
Measles is usually a contagious childhood infection caused by the measles virus, one of the paromyxovirus.
It is characterised by typical prodromal symptoms, generalised rash and Koplik's spots in the mouth.
Who is at risk for Measles?
--------------------------------
Any one at any age can contract measles but it usually occurs in childhood.
Spread is usually by infected persons either from mucous discharges from their coughing and sneezing, or from contact with their skin rash,contaminated items and surfaces.
Usually a person is contagious for about two days before symptoms appear, and up to five days after appearance of the rash.
What are the Symptoms of Measles?
-------------------------------------------
There is a prodromal peroid of 5 to 7 days after contact with a infected person.
Early symptoms include:
1.high fever
2.coughing,
3.runny nose, stuffy nose,
4.tiredness,
5.red eyes, tearing. ,
6.Koplik's spots (white spots with a red background , located on the inside of the cheeks near the back molars start to appear 2-4 days after the fever.
7.measles rash usually occurs after the appearance of the Koplik's spots.
The rash is typically red,maculopapular, and starts from behind the ears and face, then spreads downward to the neck, trunk, limbs, and soles. Once it reaches the soles, the rash begins to fade in about four days , first the head and neck, then trunk and limbs. There may be a brownish discoloration in areas of affected skin rashes but this is only temporary.
8. enlarged lymph glands may be felt in the neck and groins
9.inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis) with tearing may also occurs.
10. diarrhoea and vomiting may occurs in some patients.
Adults tend to suffer more severe symptoms than children do.
People who have had measles develop a natural immunity and cannot contract it again.
What are the Complications of Measles?
------------------------------------------------
1.Ear infection (Otitis Media) is a common complication of measles.
2.pneumonia in very young children and older patients may be dangerous.
3.encephalitis (brain infection)may ocur in 1 out of 600 patients putting them at risk of suffering seizures, coma or dying.
4.the digestive organs (including the liver),the heart muscle or the kidneys may be damaged in rare cases
A pregnant woman who develops a measles infection has
1.an increased risk of premature labour,
2.miscarriage
3.delivery of a low birth weight baby.
What is the Treatment for Measles?
------------------------------------------
There is no cure for measles.
Treatment is therefore symptomatic.
Fever symptoms are treated with Paracetamol.
Children should not be given aspirin due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome which affects the brain
Itch may be controlled by antihistamines which can also help to relieve the runny nose.
Antibiotics may be given if there is superimposed secondary bacterial infection such as otitis emdia and pneumonia.
Cough mixtures may be given to relieve the cough.
Plenty of bed rest is necessary.
Lots of fluids helps to prevent dehydration.
A cool-mist humidifier to soothe respiratory passages may help.
Most patients recover completely from measles.
Death is extremely rare (one out of every 1000 cases), usually from pneumonia or encephalitis.
How do You prevent Measles?
-------------------------------------
Measles can be prevented with the measles vaccine, which is usually given to children at the age of 15 months as part of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) combination.
A second MMR vaccine is now given at the age of 12 years.
--------------------------------
What is Measles?
---------------------
Measles is usually a contagious childhood infection caused by the measles virus, one of the paromyxovirus.
It is characterised by typical prodromal symptoms, generalised rash and Koplik's spots in the mouth.
Who is at risk for Measles?
--------------------------------
Any one at any age can contract measles but it usually occurs in childhood.
Spread is usually by infected persons either from mucous discharges from their coughing and sneezing, or from contact with their skin rash,contaminated items and surfaces.
Usually a person is contagious for about two days before symptoms appear, and up to five days after appearance of the rash.
What are the Symptoms of Measles?
-------------------------------------------
There is a prodromal peroid of 5 to 7 days after contact with a infected person.
Early symptoms include:
1.high fever
2.coughing,
3.runny nose, stuffy nose,
4.tiredness,
5.red eyes, tearing. ,
6.Koplik's spots (white spots with a red background , located on the inside of the cheeks near the back molars start to appear 2-4 days after the fever.
7.measles rash usually occurs after the appearance of the Koplik's spots.
The rash is typically red,maculopapular, and starts from behind the ears and face, then spreads downward to the neck, trunk, limbs, and soles. Once it reaches the soles, the rash begins to fade in about four days , first the head and neck, then trunk and limbs. There may be a brownish discoloration in areas of affected skin rashes but this is only temporary.
8. enlarged lymph glands may be felt in the neck and groins
9.inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis) with tearing may also occurs.
10. diarrhoea and vomiting may occurs in some patients.
Adults tend to suffer more severe symptoms than children do.
People who have had measles develop a natural immunity and cannot contract it again.
What are the Complications of Measles?
------------------------------------------------
1.Ear infection (Otitis Media) is a common complication of measles.
2.pneumonia in very young children and older patients may be dangerous.
3.encephalitis (brain infection)may ocur in 1 out of 600 patients putting them at risk of suffering seizures, coma or dying.
4.the digestive organs (including the liver),the heart muscle or the kidneys may be damaged in rare cases
A pregnant woman who develops a measles infection has
1.an increased risk of premature labour,
2.miscarriage
3.delivery of a low birth weight baby.
What is the Treatment for Measles?
------------------------------------------
There is no cure for measles.
Treatment is therefore symptomatic.
Fever symptoms are treated with Paracetamol.
Children should not be given aspirin due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome which affects the brain
Itch may be controlled by antihistamines which can also help to relieve the runny nose.
Antibiotics may be given if there is superimposed secondary bacterial infection such as otitis emdia and pneumonia.
Cough mixtures may be given to relieve the cough.
Plenty of bed rest is necessary.
Lots of fluids helps to prevent dehydration.
A cool-mist humidifier to soothe respiratory passages may help.
Most patients recover completely from measles.
Death is extremely rare (one out of every 1000 cases), usually from pneumonia or encephalitis.
How do You prevent Measles?
-------------------------------------
Measles can be prevented with the measles vaccine, which is usually given to children at the age of 15 months as part of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) combination.
A second MMR vaccine is now given at the age of 12 years.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
A Simple Guide to Ear Infections
A Simple Guide to Ear Infections
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What are Ear Infections?
------------------------------
--------------------------------------
What are Ear Infections?
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Otitis Externa
-----------------
The most common infections of the ear is in the external ear.
Wax in the ear over time can cause blockage to the external canal.
Digging for wax in the ear irritates the lining of the external canal and allows bacteria to infect the external ear and the eardrum.
Foreign bodies such as cotton from cotton buds used to clean the ear, beads in children, may be stucked in the ear causing bacterial or fungal infection. Other foreign body are insects which flew into the ear and cannot get out, leaving the dead insect in the ear.
Trauma or injury to the ear may also cause bacteria to enter the injured tissue of the ear.
The most common infections of the ear is in the external ear.
Wax in the ear over time can cause blockage to the external canal.
Digging for wax in the ear irritates the lining of the external canal and allows bacteria to infect the external ear and the eardrum.
Foreign bodies such as cotton from cotton buds used to clean the ear, beads in children, may be stucked in the ear causing bacterial or fungal infection. Other foreign body are insects which flew into the ear and cannot get out, leaving the dead insect in the ear.
Trauma or injury to the ear may also cause bacteria to enter the injured tissue of the ear.
Otitis Media
---------------
Infection or inflammation of the middle ear (Otitis Media) is another common cause of earaches.
It is common for ear infections to develop when a person suffers a cold, flu or another type of respiratory infection. This is because the middle ear is connected to the upper respiratory tract by a pair of tiny conduits known as Eustachian tubes.
Ear infections occur more frequently in infants and children but can also affect adults.
Infection or inflammation of the middle ear (Otitis Media) is another common cause of earaches.
It is common for ear infections to develop when a person suffers a cold, flu or another type of respiratory infection. This is because the middle ear is connected to the upper respiratory tract by a pair of tiny conduits known as Eustachian tubes.
Ear infections occur more frequently in infants and children but can also affect adults.
What are the Symptoms of Ear Infections?
--------------------------------------------------
In adults:
Earache (this may be felt as a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain)
Fever and chills
Nasal congestion
Feeling of fullness in the ear
Muffled hearing
In adults:
Earache (this may be felt as a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain)
Fever and chills
Nasal congestion
Feeling of fullness in the ear
Muffled hearing
In Children:
Tugging at the ear
Poor sleep
Fever
Irritability or restlessness
Ear discharge
Nasal discharge
Diminished appetite
Crying at night when lying down
What is theTreatment for Ear infections?
-------------------------------------------------
Tugging at the ear
Poor sleep
Fever
Irritability or restlessness
Ear discharge
Nasal discharge
Diminished appetite
Crying at night when lying down
What is theTreatment for Ear infections?
-------------------------------------------------
Ear infections caused by viral infections are treated with decongestants to reduce the swelling in the Eustachian tubes.
Ear infections caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics.
Wax and foreign bodies are usually removed by aural toilet(washing of external ear canal with warm water)
What are complications of ear infections?
--------------------------------------------------
Most external ear infections can be treated easily and resolved without any damage to the surrouding tissues.
In Otitis Media, there is danger of spread of the infections to the surounding bone tissue, labrynth, facial nerve, meninges and brain.
Acute mastoiditis
labrynthitis
Meningitis
Brain abscess
Facial palsy
Deafness
Acute mastoiditis
labrynthitis
Meningitis
Brain abscess
Facial palsy
Deafness
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