Otitis media is an infection that causes inflammation of the inner ear. It can cause dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, and hearing loss, which can affect your daily life. Therefore, knowing the causes, treatment, and prevention can help you cope with potential health problems.
Definition
What is otitis media?
Otitis media is a viral or bacterial infection that may result from a middle ear infection spreading to the inner ear, สมัคร ufabet causing inflammation of the inner ear and disrupting the transmission of sensory signals from the ear to the brain, affecting balance, dizziness, and hearing.
symptom
Inner ear infection
Common symptoms of otitis media include:
- Dizziness
- The house is spinning and I have an earache.
- Nausea similar to motion sickness and vomiting
- Have a fever
- Tinnitus or hearing loss
- Unbalanced movement as if about to fall
- Eyelid trembling
- Blurred vision
cause
Causes of inner ear infection
Causes of otitis media can be divided into the following:
- Viral otitis media
The most common cause of otitis media is a viral upper respiratory infection, such as rubella, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and mumps, which spread to the inner ear, causing dizziness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and hearing loss.
- Bacterial otitis media
It may be caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae, which may result from an external ear infection spreading to the inner ear, chronic otitis media, or bacterial meningitis.
Risk factors
Risk factors for otitis media
Factors that may increase the risk of inner ear infections include:
- Otitis media
- Autoimmune conditions
- Viral infections such as measles, herpes
- Bronchitis, colds, flu
- Meningitis
- Head injury
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- stress
- Use of certain medications
Diagnosis and treatment
The information here is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor for more information.
Diagnosis of otitis media
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical examination to diagnose the disease as follows:
- Check blood pressure
- Hearing test
- Have the patient move their head quickly.
- Eye movement test
- Check for ear infections
Your doctor may also perform additional tests, such as an electroencephalogram (EEG), a CT scan, or an MRI, if you have a more serious infection, such as a stroke or meningitis.
Treatment of otitis media
The goal of treatment for otitis media is to relieve symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the inner ear
- Sedatives for those who experience severe dizziness
- Anti-nausea and vomiting medication
- Antibiotics for otitis media caused by bacterial infection
For those with chronic otitis media, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy to improve your balance and reduce dizziness, as follows:
- Move your eyes up and down and move your eyes from left to right.
- Bend and look up, turn your head left and right.
- Bend your torso forward and up, leaning to the left and right.
- Walk up and down ramps or stairs.