Otitis Media: One of Acid Reflux Complications

Otitis media is another term for middle ear infection.  It is actually one of the complications of acid reflux because refluxed acid is said to affect the area without reaching the throat.  When one happens to understand the anatomy of the ears, one will understand what the disease is all about.

There are different types of otitis media.  Alongside the types are other disorders of the middle ear.  It also has causes and symptoms to take note of.  There is nothing much to worry about because it is treatable.  Below, you will find all these facts.

Types of otitis media

There are two forms of otitis media.  These are:

• Severe Otitis Media.  This kind of middle ear infection commonly starts quickly and on a brief period.  It is characteristically connected to a build-up of liquid in the mid section of the ear accompanied by indications of ear contamination such as stuffed eardrum.  Pain, punctured eardrum, emission of pus and the presence of fever accompany the condition.
• Chronic Otitis Media.  This is described by a constant irritation of the mid section of the ear and usually occurs for a month.  It can result to further injury in the middle of the ear and eardrum.  It is not usually accompanied by pain or fever.  Individuals with chronic otitis media may also experience constant ear force for a long period and there may be a temporary loss of hearing.

Causes and symptoms of otitis media

Otitis media or middle ear infection is caused directly by bacteria or viruses.  Indirectly it may result from the presence of pneumonia, influenza, measles, mumps or scarlet fever.

Small children who have middle ear infection are difficult to deal with.  They are usually irritable, finicky, or they may experience sleeping and eating difficulties.  Much older children may experience earache.  Fever may also be felt by both young and older children.

Individuals with middle ear infection may suffer temporary hearing loss throughout the contamination.  This is due to the emission of pus which results to ear ache and shuddering of the eardrum that moistens because of pus discharge.  Serious ear contamination may result to the shattering of the eardrum due to the pus discharge that pumps out from the mid section of the ear going through the ear canal.

Treatment for serious otitis media

The medication for serious otitis media differs according to the age and signs of an individual.  Antibiotics are the most common medications given as an initial treatment for otitis media.  It is normally administered for at least 10 days.  Around 10% of children react to antibiotics within 48 to 72 hours during the treatment.  Individuals with otitis media must be given immediate attention by a trained physician to avoid further damage to the ears.

This acid reflux complication may change the lives of a lot of individuals. It is best to treat acid reflux immediately so it will not result to otitis media.  It pays to focus on the real cause of the problem.

Tagged as: acid reflux, Acid Reflux Complications, middle ear, middle ear infection, otitis media