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Otitis Media is classified as any inflammation of the middle ear characterized by the accumulation of infected fluid in the middle ear, bulging eardrum, and pain in the ear. Otitis Media, which is also known as a middle ear infection, is the second most common disease of childhood after upper respiratory infection (Otitis Media, 2017). The middle ear is a small space behind the eardrum that is supposed to be well ventilated by air. Air normally passes up from behind the nose, through the Eustachian tube in order to keep the middle ear dry and clean (“Understanding Ear Infections - the Basics”, n.d.). However, when there is not enough fresh air ventilating the middle ear causing the Eustachian tube to be clogged and blocked, it becomes damp, still and warm, which causes the infection.
Epidemiology of Otitis Media
It is much more common in children and infants because their Eustachian tube is often too soft and undeveloped so it has a harder time staying open. In children and infants, the tube is also shorter and has more of a horizontal orientation than adults, which causes reflux from the pharynx. The highest occurrence of the infection occurs in the first two years of life and about 90% of children will have a least one infection by age 6. It has been reported that there is a higher prevalence in boys than in girls. Moreover, while 50% of children aged 1 year are likely to have at least one episode of the disease, 1/3 of children will have at least 3 infections by age 3 and 90% of children will have at least 3 one infection by age 6. Otitis Media tends to affect children during winter months.
Types of Otitis Media
There are two main types of Otitis Media and two subtypes. The first type is Acute Otitis Media (AOM). AOM is the more serious and painful type. It has a rapid onset accompanied by one or multiple symptoms such as ear pain, ear discharge, fever, headache, irritability, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea. The other type and the more common one in children is Otitis Media with Effusion (OME). OME is a collection of non-infected fluid in the middle ear with symptoms of...
OME is usually a result of poor function of the Eustachian tube, which makes it the most common type that occurs in children aged 6 months to 3 years old. The third type of OM is Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media, which is a persistent ear infection that results in tearing or perforation of the eardrum. It is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear that persists for at least 6 weeks and is linked to otorrhea through a perforate TM, an indwelling tympanostomy tube, or surgical myringotomy. The last type is Adhesive OM, which occurs when a thin retracted eardrum becomes sucked into the middle ear space and gets stuck. This could happen during AOM or OME.
Risk Factors
There are a few risk factors that can increase the likelihood of someone getting Otitis Media. These risk factors include upper respiratory infections, allergies, craniofacial abnormalities such as cleft palate, Down’s syndrome and passive smoking.
Signs and Symptoms of Otitis Media
The most notable signs and symptoms of Otitis Media in infants and children are irritability, ear pain, fever, and changes in personality. However, the signs and symptoms of Otitis Media differ depending on the individual’s age. For neonates or infants, the most common signs include change in behavior, vomiting, irritability, decreased appetite, and tugging at ears. For children aged between 2 and 4 years, the common symptoms of Otitis Media include fever, difficulties in hearing, Otalgia, and changes in personality. For children aged 4 years or more, the symptoms include changes in personality and complains of ear pain.
When to go to a Doctor
Once these symptoms occur, there are certain things a parent should look out for to determine if and when medical attention should to be sought out. Fever is big indicator that it’s time to go to the doctors. For instance, if a child has a fever of 104, he/she must see a doctor. For children younger than 3 months, you should see a doctor if they have a fever of 100.4. A child should also be taken…
References
“Otitis Media.” (2017, October 18). Medscape. Retrieved December 01, 2017, from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/994656/overview?pa=e7%2BHyhjaKi5kXPCHgzrSWtOQ7XMaWaM%2BrHb%2FWZGFvTNuYgaWBD0SZJq9im84Wg%2BrHnIoM8a%2BOnfqLYTcSUU9MAf1%2FT5AOtgCo%2FGiWn3Mk%2BU%3D
Philadelphia, T. C. (2014, May 05). Otitis Media with Effusion (OME). Retrieved December 01, 2017, from http://www.chop.edu/conditions- diseases/otitis-media-effusion-ome
“Understanding Ear Infections -- the Basics.” (n.d.). WebMD Retrieved December 05, 2017, from https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ear-infection/understanding-otitis-media-basics#1
Differential Diagnosis for Ears My differential diagnosis is largely predicated on the concept of otitis media, which the patient was treated for in the past year and is fairly common in children (Woo et al., 2014, p. 1). Although it is relatively clear from the symptoms that Mark is experiencing some form of ear infection, it is necessary to distinguish exactly which type he is encountering this particular time around. I
I would, for example, implement a system of diagnosis that very clearly indicates the proper approach to be taken. Once an approach has been selected, the parent or guardian will be fully informed of his or her responsibilities. In the watchful waiting approach, for example, I would provide the parent or guardian with a sheet of criteria that must be followed in observing the child. Keeping in mind that
Evidence-Based Practice Resource Filtered Unfiltered Clinical Practice Guidelines (1) Authors combined several studies for efficacy Block, S.L. (2) Older data (over 10 years) and used only one research study. Kelley, et.al. (3) Credible and systematic; great review of literature McCracken (4) Older data (over 10 years) and used only one research study. No scholarly or academic research, materials is hearsay and anecdotal. Resource Primary Research Evidence Evidence-Guideline Evidence Summary Clinical Practice Guidelines (1) Inclusion of Primary Research Includes Guidelines for Best Practices Summarization of a number of sources, generalized but academic. Block,
The chief concern of the researcher should be the safety of the research participant. This is carried out by carefully considering the risk to benefit ratio, using all available information to make an appropriate assessment and continually monitoring the research as it proceeds. The scientific researcher must obtain informed consent from each research participant. This should be attained in writing although oral consents are sometimes acceptable after the participant has had
Virological tests indicated that in all (64.6%) or 558 of 864 URI specimens were positive for viruses. Results from the tests showed that Adenovirus and rhinovirus were the most common viruses associated with URI. However, the results further revealed that coronavirus, RSV and adenovirus were the three most commonly associated virus types in URI complicating AOM. This result is in concurrence with previous studies by Henderson et al., Heikkinen et.al
Other signs include a child who has numerous of colds and ear infections; a child who speaks overly loudly; frequently asks for words or phrases to be repeated and who does not understand someone unless the person is facing him or her. (Hearing Health for Children) While ear infection is usually treated with prescription antibiotics, many physicians state that use of these media is not a good idea at an