Chronic Otitis Media (Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media)
Causes
- Untreated or poorly managed acute otitis media.
- Traumatic perforation of the eardrum.
- Water entering the ear, leading to inflammation of the middle ear lining.
- Upper respiratory tract infections or blockage of the Eustachian tube opening.
Chronic middle ear infection is categorized into two types: **Non-dangerous type** and **Dangerous type** (cholesteatoma), which often involves a specific type of eardrum perforation and can erode bone.
Symptoms
Muffled hearing or hearing loss, and persistent or recurring discharge (pus or fluid) from the ear canal. The discharge often has a foul odor. Patients may experience symptoms from various complications, such as dizziness, an abscess behind the ear, facial nerve paralysis (7th cranial nerve), severe headache, or lethargy caused by meningitis or a brain abscess.
Treatment
- Medical Treatment: Use of oral antibiotics and antibiotic ear drops.
- Surgical Treatment: Often required to repair the eardrum (tympanoplasty) or remove infected bone (mastoidectomy) in the "dangerous" type.
Prevention
- Take precautions to avoid respiratory tract infections.
- Exercise regularly to maintain a strong immune system.
- If you experience ear symptoms, consult a doctor promptly to prevent the condition from becoming chronic.
Warning Signs: Seek Immediate Medical Attention
- Symptoms do not improve after taking medication or using ear drops.
- Worsening hearing loss or muffled hearing.
- Persistent fluid or pus draining from the ear.
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