Otitis media history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.
Overview
History
History of the following should be considered for otitis media patients:[1]
- Smoking: Contributes to fluid buildup and blockage in the eustachian tube
- Allergies
- Occupations involving exposure to air pollution.[2]
- Family history of ear infections
- Attendance to day care.
Symptoms
- Earache: When the middle ear becomes acutely infected by bacteria, pressure builds up behind the ear drum, usually but not always causing pain.
- Otorrhea: In severe or untreated cases, the tympanic membrane may rupture, allowing the pus in the middle ear space to drain into the ear canal. If there is enough of it, this drainage may be obvious. Even though the rupture of the tympanic membrane suggests a traumatic process, it is almost always associated with the dramatic relief of pressure and pain.
References
- ↑ "Ear infection - acute: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia".
- ↑ Lowy, Franklin D.; Zhang, Yan; Xu, Min; Zhang, Jin; Zeng, Lingxia; Wang, Yanfei; Zheng, Qing Yin (2014). "Risk Factors for Chronic and Recurrent Otitis Media–A Meta-Analysis". PLoS ONE. 9 (1): e86397. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0086397. ISSN 1932-6203.