Otitis Media:
Otitis media is a type of ear infection or inflammation of the middle ear. This inflammation often begins when infections that cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems spread to the middle ear. These can be viral or bacterial infections.
Otitis media is also commonly referred to as:
Middle ear infection
Inner ear infection
Ear infection.
There are two main types of otitis media. The first type is called acute otitis media (AOM). This means that parts of the ear are infected and swollen. It also means that fluid and mucus are trapped inside the ear. AOM can be painful.
The second type is called otitis media with effusion (fluid), or OME. This means fluid and mucus stay trapped in the ear after the infection is over. OME makes it harder for the ear to fight new infections. This fluid can also affect your child's hearing.
Causes of Otitis Media:
Otitis media is a type of ear infection or inflammation of the middle ear. This inflammation often begins when infections that cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems spread to the middle ear. These can be viral or bacterial infections.
Otitis media is also commonly referred to as:
Middle ear infection
Inner ear infection
Ear infection.
There are two main types of otitis media. The first type is called acute otitis media (AOM). This means that parts of the ear are infected and swollen. It also means that fluid and mucus are trapped inside the ear. AOM can be painful.
The second type is called otitis media with effusion (fluid), or OME. This means fluid and mucus stay trapped in the ear after the infection is over. OME makes it harder for the ear to fight new infections. This fluid can also affect your child's hearing.
Causes of Otitis Media:
An Introduction
Bacteria or viruses that get inside the ear are the most common causes of otitis media. These bacteria or viruses can initially cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems and then spread to the middle ear.
Bacteria or Viruses Within the Ear
Bacteria or viruses reach the middle ear through the lining or the passageway of the eustachian tube; they can then produce infection. Infection causes swelling of the lining of the middle ear, blocking of the eustachian tube, and migration of white cells from the bloodstream to help fight the infection. In this process, the white cells accumulate, often killing bacteria and dying themselves, leading to the formation of pus (a thick yellowish-white fluid) in the middle ear.
As the fluid increases, the child may have trouble hearing because the eardrum and middle ear bones are unable to move as freely as they should. As the infection worsens, many children also experience severe ear pain. Too much fluid in the ear can put pressure on the eardrum and eventually tear it
Knowing the Risk Factors and Causes of Otitis Media
While not direct causes of otitis media, there are some things that can increase a person's chance of developing an ear infection. People who are at risk for otitis media include:
Children who are cared for in group settings
Children who live with adults who smoke cigarettes
Infants who nurse from a bottle while lying down
People with allergies
People with certain birth defects such as cleft palate, Down syndrome, and nervous system abnormalities.
Although certain otitis media risk factors can be avoided, it is important to keep in mind that avoiding risk factors does not guarantee that your child will not get otitis media. Some people are more sensitive than others to factors that can cause ear infections. Talk to your doctor about methods of ear infection prevention that might be effective for you or your child.
Bacteria or viruses that get inside the ear are the most common causes of otitis media. These bacteria or viruses can initially cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems and then spread to the middle ear.
Bacteria or Viruses Within the Ear
Bacteria or viruses reach the middle ear through the lining or the passageway of the eustachian tube; they can then produce infection. Infection causes swelling of the lining of the middle ear, blocking of the eustachian tube, and migration of white cells from the bloodstream to help fight the infection. In this process, the white cells accumulate, often killing bacteria and dying themselves, leading to the formation of pus (a thick yellowish-white fluid) in the middle ear.
As the fluid increases, the child may have trouble hearing because the eardrum and middle ear bones are unable to move as freely as they should. As the infection worsens, many children also experience severe ear pain. Too much fluid in the ear can put pressure on the eardrum and eventually tear it
Knowing the Risk Factors and Causes of Otitis Media
While not direct causes of otitis media, there are some things that can increase a person's chance of developing an ear infection. People who are at risk for otitis media include:
Children who are cared for in group settings
Children who live with adults who smoke cigarettes
Infants who nurse from a bottle while lying down
People with allergies
People with certain birth defects such as cleft palate, Down syndrome, and nervous system abnormalities.
Although certain otitis media risk factors can be avoided, it is important to keep in mind that avoiding risk factors does not guarantee that your child will not get otitis media. Some people are more sensitive than others to factors that can cause ear infections. Talk to your doctor about methods of ear infection prevention that might be effective for you or your child.
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