Is otitis media easy to treat?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Clinically, otitis media is a common and frequently occurring disease, primarily referring to acute and chronic inflammation of the eardrum, tympanic cavity, and mastoid antrum. Its clinical treatment mainly involves two aspects: surgical treatment and medication. Generally, during the acute phase of the disease, medication is the main treatment, primarily using antibiotics to control the infection. Surgical treatment is mainly aimed at chronic otitis media, secretory otitis media, or cholesteatoma otitis media, involving the removal of lesions and repair of structures. Overall, the treatment for otitis media is generally effective and yields good results. The key is to detect and treat it early without delay.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Treatment methods for otitis media with effusion

Otitis media with effusion mainly refers to a type of secretory otitis media, where there is negative pressure in the middle ear cavity and fluid accumulation occurs. Treatment usually begins with medications, lasting either one to three months or three to six months. Antibiotics, steroids, and medications that facilitate the drainage of the effusion, such as Mucosolvan, may be used. Additionally, medications that constrict the mucosal blood vessels in the nasal cavity can also be used to facilitate the function of the Eustachian tube. If medication does not relieve or cure the condition, invasive treatment methods such as tympanic membrane puncture, tympanotomy, tympanostomy tube insertion, and Eustachian tube balloon dilation can be employed.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does otitis media require hospitalization?

Otitis media refers to the acute or chronic inflammatory disease of our middle ear, mainly caused by bacterial infection. For otitis media, whether it is acute or chronic, hospitalization is rarely considered. The vast majority of treatments do not require hospitalization; treatment typically involves outpatient anti-infection therapy. However, if complications arise in otitis media, such as tympanic membrane perforation, disruption of the ossicular chain in the middle ear, granulation in the mastoid cavity, or cholesteatoma, then hospitalization and surgical treatment are considered. The purpose of surgery is mainly to repair structures and clear pathological tissues. In summary, for otitis media, hospitalization for surgical treatment is considered only when necessary; otherwise, inpatient treatment is not required for medical treatment.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How is acute otitis media treated?

Acute otitis media is caused by bacterial infection. It is an infectious inflammation of the middle ear chamber, eardrum, or mastoid cavity. Since it is a bacterial infection, the primary treatment choice is anti-infection therapy, specifically the use of antibiotics. Currently, in clinical practice under the guidance of a doctor, cephalosporin antibiotics are mainly used. At the same time, certain antibiotic ear drops should not be used, such as ofloxacin ear drops and lomefloxacin ear drops, especially in cases of acute otitis media with severe symptoms like fever and headache. Based on the condition, we also consider anti-infection treatment through infusion. Infusion refers to the intravenous use of cephalosporin antibiotics, among others. Additionally, some corticosteroids can be used to enhance the anti-infection effects.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can otitis media heal itself?

Some cases of otitis media can recover on their own, mainly depending on the degree of inflammation and the patient's own resistance. If the inflammatory response is mild and the patient’s own resistance is strong, there is a chance for gradual recovery through resistance. However, this situation requires dynamic observation of the changes in the condition. Without treatment, some patients may gradually worsen, and in such cases, timely consideration of medication is necessary. If the inflammatory response is already significant, or if the patient's own resistance is poor, it is generally recommended to promptly perform an otoscopy and cooperate with antibiotics to fight the infection. Generally, the treatment period is about one week.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can otitis media heal itself?

Otitis media is difficult to heal on its own because it is caused by an acute bacterial infection that leads to reduced eustachian tube function, resulting in fluid accumulation in the middle ear cavity. Patients will experience sudden high fever, with body temperatures above 38.5°C, severe pain in the ear, and symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of ear fullness. Upon examination, the eardrum appears significantly congested and swollen, and a large amount of fluid can be found in the middle ear cavity. In terms of treatment, otitis media initially requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment. Patients can take oral medications such as cefaclor, amoxicillin, and potassium penicillin V tablets. At the same time, the ear should be treated locally with ofloxacin ear drops twice a day, which can reduce local congestion and swelling. During treatment, patients also need to maintain a light diet, avoid vigorously blowing their nose, and prevent water from entering the outer ear canal. Generally, recovery can gradually occur within a week. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)