Otitis media (OM) is any inflammation of the middle ear and is very common in children. Acute otitis media is the rapid onset of OM with one of more of the following symptoms: otalgia, otorrhea, headache, fever, irritability, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea (Waseem, 2015). Otitis media with effusion normally occurs after an episode of acute otitis media. Patients may complain of hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and otalgia. Chronic suppurative otitis media is a persistant infection that results in the tearing or perforation of the eardrum (Waseem, 2015). Adhesive otitis media occurs when the ear drum is sucked into the middle ears space and gets stuck.
Being able to diagnosis the different subtypes of otitis media is essential …show more content…
Erythema, edema, and narrowing of the external auditory canal, and purulent or serous discharge may be seen (Waitzman, 2015). Other findings include conductive hearing loss or cellulitis of the face or neck. The tympanic membrane may be difficult to see and may be inflamed. Primary treatment is management of the pain and removal of debris from the external auditory canal. Most cases require no more than over-the-counter analgesics and topical eardrops although more severe cases may require oral or intravenous antibiotics. Malignant OE requires intravenous antibiotics.
Patients presenting with ear pain should be asked about the location, quality, quanity, onset, timing, and duration. Do they have any sinus or nasal congestion, have they went deep-see diving or traveled in the air recently, do they have diabetes or chronic inflammatory diseases are all questions that should be asked (Goolsby & Grubbs, 2015). Another cause of ear pain could be a foreign body in the ear canal. It is common in young children and is associated unilateral pain and purlent discharge. Removal of the foreign body by a healthcare professional is the
Being able to diagnosis the different subtypes of otitis media is essential …show more content…
Erythema, edema, and narrowing of the external auditory canal, and purulent or serous discharge may be seen (Waitzman, 2015). Other findings include conductive hearing loss or cellulitis of the face or neck. The tympanic membrane may be difficult to see and may be inflamed. Primary treatment is management of the pain and removal of debris from the external auditory canal. Most cases require no more than over-the-counter analgesics and topical eardrops although more severe cases may require oral or intravenous antibiotics. Malignant OE requires intravenous antibiotics.
Patients presenting with ear pain should be asked about the location, quality, quanity, onset, timing, and duration. Do they have any sinus or nasal congestion, have they went deep-see diving or traveled in the air recently, do they have diabetes or chronic inflammatory diseases are all questions that should be asked (Goolsby & Grubbs, 2015). Another cause of ear pain could be a foreign body in the ear canal. It is common in young children and is associated unilateral pain and purlent discharge. Removal of the foreign body by a healthcare professional is the