otitis media, effusion…

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ear anatomy, middle ear infection, otitis media, ome, secretory otitis media, serous otitis media, silent otitis media, silent ear infection, glue ear, otitis media, inflammation, the middle ear, otitis media, effusion, ome, fluid, in the middle ear space, the symptoms of an acute infection, children, acute otitis media, acute ear infection, have fluid, in the middle ear accompanied by signs, symptoms ear pain, redness, the eardrum, fever, children, an acute ear infection act sick, at night, children, ome, fluid in ome, thin, watery, "glue ear", common name given to ome, thick, viscous effusion, fluid, every acute ear infection is followed by days, weeks of ome, develop ome, first having acute inflammation, ome is caused, the eustachian tube, a narrow channel that connects the inside, the ear, the throat, becomes blocked, tube, drainage conduit, prevent the build-up of secretions, in the middle ear, secretions drain down the tube, swallowed, tube also functions to keep the air space, in the middle ear, same pressure, the air around us, in this way, eardrum, move freely, our hearing, effective, all is well, tube is collapsed most, the time, protect the middle ear, many organisms that live, in the nose, mouth, upon swallowing does a tiny muscle open it briefly to equalize the pressures, drain the ear secretions, bacteria make it, ear, drainage mechanism, helped by little hair cells, should flush it out, eustachian tube is partially blocked, fluid accumulates, in the middle ear, bacteria already, trapped, to multiply, respiratory infections, irritants, cigarette smoke, allergies, all inflame the lining, the tube, producing swelling, increased secretions, cause enlargement, the adenoid glands near the opening, the tube, blocking flow, outlet, sudden increases in air pressure, descent in an airplane, on a mountain road, squeeze the floppy tube closed, create a relative vacuum, in the ear, drinking lying on one's back, close the slit-like tube opening, a myriad of factors, lead to a blocked tube, getting water, baby's ears, last two decades, the 20th century saw a dramatic rise in ome, largely, due to increased pollution, increased use of early childhood day care, where children, exposed to many respiratory infections, ome, common in winter, early spring, occur at any time of year, occurs most often in children under 2 years old, affect people of any age, small children get more ome than older children, adults, several reasons, tube is shorter, horizontal, straighter, quick, easy trip, the bacteria, tube is floppier, a tinier opening, easier to block, and young children get more colds, takes time, the immune system to be able to recognize, ward off cold viruses, thought that the longer the fluid was present, thicker it became, term "glue ear" became synonymous, chronic ome, thought that the thickness, the fluid relates more, the particular ear than, how long the fluid is present, hallmark of ome, lack of obvious symptoms in those who most commonly have the condition, older children, adults often complain of muffled hearing, a sense of fullness, in the ear, younger children, turn up the television volume, most often ome is diagnosed, someone examines the ear, another reason, well-child physical, a direct inspection, the ear, an otoscope, dullness, air bubbles, fluid behind the eardrum, pneumatic otoscopy reveals a decrease, in the normal mobility, the eardrum, an ent, ear, nose, throat specialist, might use otomicroscopy, improved visualization, a tympanometer, accurate tool, diagnosing ome, a soft rubber probe, in the ear, an airtight seal, reflected sound, eardrum is measured, the machine, the pressure, in the ear canal, altering the stiffness, the eardrum, the test suggest the amount, thickness, the fluid present, an acoustic otoscope, reflectometer, portable device, does not, require an airtight seal, accurately detects, fluid, in the middle ear, an audiometer, other type of formal hearing test important to help decide what treatment is warranted, in otherwise healthy children, first line treatment, ome, adjust environmental factors, encourage breast-feeding, avoid cigarette smoke, reconsider group day care, allergies, avoiding the allergens, effective, house dust, most often the fluid, clear on its own, suggested treatment might be either to wait, observe, to try a single round of antibiotics, fluid is still present after 6 weeks, treatment might include further observation, a hearing test, a single trial of antibiotics, not given earlier, fluid is still present at 12 weeks, hearing, is significant hearing loss, > 20 decibels, antibiotics, ear tube placement, grommets, might be appropriate, fluid is still present after 4 to 6 months, tubes, no significant hearing loss, laser myringotomy, newer alternative to ear tube surgery, adenoid removal is necessary, restore proper functioning, the eustachian tube, otitis media, effusion, resolves on its own over weeks, accelerate this process, fluid is present, in the middle ear, hearing, impaired, interfere, language development in children, disorder, not a threat to life but, serious complications, glue ear is less likely to clear, timely fashion than ome, a thinner effusion, normal to have ome, fluid, several weeks following treatment of an acute ear infection, temporary hearing loss, permanent damage, ear, partial, complete deafness, speech, language delay, cholesteatoma , tympanosclerosis, acute otitis media, fluid, go unnoticed, cause significant hearing problems in children, fluid that lasts longer than 8-12 weeks is cause, concern, in children, hearing problems, speech to develop slowly, permanent hearing loss is rare, the risk increases the more ear infections a child has, suspect you, child might have otitis media, effusion, continue to monitor the condition, fluid has disappeared, new symptoms develop, after treatment of this disorder, goals of prevention, decreasing exposure to common ear pathogens, boosting immunity, improving the function, the eustachian tube, to decrease exposure, smaller day care size, in the winter months, make a big difference, day cares of 6, fewer children result in measurably fewer ear infections, frequent hand, toy washing is also helpful, fresh air, air filters decrease exposure to airborne pathogens, avoid the overuse of antibiotics, overuse of antibiotics breeds increasingly effective disease-causing bacteria, breastfeeding, few weeks, make a child less prone to ear infections, pneumococcal vaccine, prevent infections, most common cause of acute ear infection, leads to ome, flu vaccine, to aid proper eustachian tube function, avoid irritants cigarette smoke, avoid drinking lying flat, discontinue pacifier use, practical, up to 40% of cases of ome have an allergic component, identifying, avoiding allergens, very effective prevention.