Otitis media, otherwise known as an ear infection, is a very common occurrence in children seven months up to fifteen years of age. Specifically, this type of ear infection is categorized as an inflammation of the middle ear, and subcategorized into either acute otitis or chronic otitis media. It begins with a bacterial or viral infection from the throat that spreads into the ear, causing a fluid backup in the middle part of the ear. “It is estimated that, by the time they reach two years of age, all the children in the United States currently under that age will have had a total of 9.3 million episodes of acute otitis media, and that approximately 17 percent of children have three or more episodes during a six-month period (Berman 1995). Clearly, otitis media is one of the most commonly diagnosed and treated types of disease in the United States. Due to its common diagnosis, it is no surprise that, “the annual cost of the medical and surgical treatment of otitis in the United States is estimated at between $3 billion and $4 billion, (Berman 1995). Concerning the epidemiology of otitis media, there are risk factors, transmission variations, and occurrences involved. For example, due to statistics indicating that otitis media is a much more common occurrence in younger children, age can be qualified as a risk factor. Also, young children have interaction among each other in schools, day-cares, nurseries, and of course within the home among family members (if families consist of many children). Therefore, another risk factor associated with otitis media can be location and environment, where the disease can be contracted. Also, adults are less likely to contract an ear infection because children have shorter and more horizontal eu... ... middle of paper ... ...mage, mastoiditis, cholesteatoma, epidural abscess, tympanosclerosis, paralysis of the face, and even speech impingement. Treatment regarding antibiotics can be controversial, and it is vital for health-care providers to properly assess and diagnose the symptoms and signs of otitis media, as well as accurately follow a care plan that works best for the patient. Bibliography M.D., S. B. (1995). Otitis Media in Children. The New England Journal of Medicine, 1(332), 1560-1565. Retrieved December 5, 2011, from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199506083322307 M.D., S. J., Morita, N., Cureoglu, S., Schachern, P. A., Deroee, A. F., Tsuprun, V., et al. (2010). Cochlear Pathology in Human Temporal Bones with Otitis Media. Acta Otolaryngol, 130(4), 472-476. Retrieved December 5, 2011, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2925651/
Cholesteatoma is a growth of excess skin or a skin cyst (epithelial cyst) that contains desquamated keratin and grows in the middle ear and mastoid (Thio, Ahmed, & Bickerton, 2005). A cholesteatoma can grow and spread, destroying the ossicles, tympanic membrane and other parts of the ear. They appear on the pars flaccida and pars tensa sections of the tympanic membrane. A cholesteatoma can occur when a part of a perforated tympanic membrane is pushed back into the middle ear space, debris and skin cells can build up forming a growth. It can obstruct tympanic membrane movement and movement of the ossicles. As the layers grow, the amount of hearing loss can increase. A cholesteatoma can be congenital (present at birth) or be acquired as a result of another disease. They can also be formed as a result of a surgery, trauma, chronic ear infection, chronic otitis media, or tympanic membrane perforation. It can develop beyond the tympanic membrane and cause intracranial and extracranial complications. Due to this patients can experience permanent hearing loss as a result of an infection of the inner ear as well as other serious health concerns. These include dizziness, facial nerve weakness and infections of the skull (Hall, 2013). Patients may present chronically discharging ear, hearing loss, dizziness, otalgia (ear pain), and perforations (marginal or attic).
Otitis externa is diagnosed by a culture taken from the ear canal. Once the diagnosis is made, treatment begins with, antibiotics or steroid drops. These drugs are used are used to treat the inflammation in the ear. This condition is very painful, because of the inflammation and swelling of the auditory canal. Patients may also complain of hearing loss and purulent (pus like) drainage from the ear. To cure the condition and not have it return patients must keep the ear canal clean and dry of the condition will continue and becomes a chronic condition.
The labyrinthitis is an inflammatory disease of the ' inner ear, whose main symptoms are dizziness, nausea and loss of balance. Inflammation of the labyrinth, which is that part of the inner ear that governs our sense of balance, it is in usually caused by an infection of viral or bacterial origin.
Smith brings his 4-year-old to your office with chief complaints of right ear pain, sneezing, mild cough, and low-grade fever of 100 degrees for the last 72 hours. Today, the child is alert, cooperative, and well hydrated. You note a mildly erythemic throat with no exudate, both ears mild pink tympanic membrane with good movement, lungs clear. You diagnose an acute upper respiratory infection, probably viral in nature. Mr. Smith is states that the family is planning a trip out of town starting tomorrow and would like an antibiotic just in case.
Schreiber, B. E., Agrup, C., Haskard, D. O., & Luxon, L. M. (2010). Sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The Lancet, 375(9721), 1203-1211.
The history of CAPD goes all the way back to 1954 with Helmer Myklebus’s study, “Auditory Disorders in Children". Back then research wasn’t as serious as it is today. ...
Dozier, T., Duncan, I., Klein, A., Lambert, P., & Key, L. J. (2005, April 26). Otologic manifestations of malignant osteopetrosis. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Simma B, Burga R, Falk M, Sacher P, & Fanconi S. (1998) A prospective, randomized, and controlled study of fluid management in children with severe head injury: lactated ringer’s solution versus hypertonic saline. Critical Care Medicine, 26(7), 1265–70.
Hearing loss can affect a child dramatically in their early development. It is important to be aware and cautious of noticing signs towards possible hearing loss, because language and communication skills deve...
There are different categories of otosclerosis. "Subclinical Otosclerosis" occurs when the tissue does not interfere with the ossicles. A person may have this form for many years and not know it. Another category is "Clinical Otosclerosis." This type can be present in the teen years, but not detected until the young adult years. It is rare for it to occur after the age of fifty. The last category of"Histologic Otosclerosis" occurs when the tissue is present, but it may or may not cause hearing loss. "Cochlear Otosclerosis" has been used to refer to sensorineural hearing loss. This is caused by abnormal blood flow to the middle ear, rather than growth of tissue (Otosclerosis, 1998).
Jennifer presents with the clinical signs and symptoms of tonsillitis. The clinical presentation of swollen tonsils, pain while swallowing, presence of exudates, associated temperature for three days, positive palpable anterior cervical nodes, and sore throat lead the clinician to believe Jennifer has tonsillitis. Tonsils are considered lymph tissue. The tonsils react to a microorganism that has come in contact via air droplet with the mouth, nose, or eyes. The resulting cytokine induced inflammation occurs in order to protect the body from infectious invasion. When this occurs inflammation mediators are activated and will lead to fever. Many lymphocytes and antigens get activated and start to fight the illness. The lymph nodes are enlarged because they are working harder to filter and clean the lymph fluid. Jennifer’s adaptive responses include inflammation, f...
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) published the first clinical practice guideline in 2006 on acute otitis externa (AOE) with seven major statements. The guideline was designed to assist providers by providing an evidence-based framework for decision-making strategies. The AAO-HNSF made a strong recommendation that management of AOE should include an assessment of pain, and the provider should prescribe analgesic treatment based on the severity of pain. The provide should: 1) distinguish diffuse AOE from other causes of otalgia, otorrhea, and inflammation of the ear canal; 2) assess the patient with diffuse AOE for factors that modify management (nonintact tympanic membrane, tympanostomy tube,
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is common in babies, children, teenagers and young adults. It can cause blood poisoning and affect the brain and nerves. Viral meningitis can make you very sick, but it often doesn’t leave lingering effects. Bacterial meningitis is more serious. It progresses rapidly and can cause permanent damage or even become life-threatening. Stiff neck and back are common in meningitis. It may become difficult to turn your neck at all. In severe cases, the head, neck, and spine become painfully rigid and arched (opisthotonos). Babies and young children are more likely to experience opisthotonos than older people. A baby with meningitis may produce a high-pitched
Hearing loss is a major global public health issue. Hearnet (2017) defines hearing loss as “a disability that occurs when one or more parts of the ear and/or the parts of the brain that make up the hearing pathway do not function normally” (para. 1). There are many different types of hearing loss, which can have multiple causes, giving each individual experiencing the issue a unique hearing loss case. These types include Auditory Processing Disorders, when the brain has problems processing sound information; Conductive Hearing Loss, a problem with the outer or middle ear which prevents sound making its way to the inner ear; and Sensorineural Hearing Loss, when the Cochlea or auditory nerve is damaged and cannot
...ear follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 280(14), 1238-1244.