I hope I find you in good health. Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear (the area behind the eardrum). This inflammation often begins when infections that cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems spread to the middle ear. These can be viral, fungi or bacterial infections. If not treated, the eardrum can break or the infection can spread. There might also be a permanent hearing loss. Three out of four children experience otitis media by the time they are 3 years old. In fact, ear infections are the most common illnesses in babies and young children.
Otitis media usually occurs when viruses , fungi or bacteria get inside the ear and cause an infection. Scratching, inserting objects into the ear canal, or moisture, such as pool water, often introduce the infection. It may be accompanied by allergies, enlarged adenoids, or a cold that causes blockage of the eustachian tube (the connection between the throat and middle ear that equalizes pressure). The blockage of the eustachian tubes, stop the normal drainage of fluid from the middle ear down to the back of the throat. As water which is stagnant becomes foul, so there is more chance of germs building up in this stagnant situation in the middle ear, and a middle ear infection (acute otitis media) is the result. Sometimes the eardrum ruptures, and pus drains out of the ear. But more commonly, the pus and mucus remain in the middle ear due to the swollen and inflamed eustachian tube. Often after the acute infection has passed, the effusion remains and becomes chronic, lasting for weeks, months, or even years. This condition makes one subject to frequent recurrences of the acute infection and may cause difficulty in hearing.
The common symptoms of this disease include pain, fever, headache, hearing loss, or a sense of fullness in the ear. A loss of appetite, vomiting, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or a dizzy feeling, which may make walking difficult, may also occur. As I've already stated above the ear drum may burst causing a discharge of fluid from the ear. (Incidentally, this releases the pressure behind the ear drum, and therefore the pain is usually relieved).On examination the ear and canal are red and swollen. It may be painful to touch the ear and a discharge may be present. There may also be fullness in the ear or loss of hearing.
Otitis media is often difficult to detect in children because most children do not yet have sufficient speech and language skills to tell someone what is bothering them. Some of the common sings to look for in children include,unusual irritability, difficulty sleeping ,tugging or pulling at one or both ears,fever,fluid draining from the ear, loss of balance and unresponsiveness to quiet sounds or other signs of hearing difficulty such as sitting too close to the television or being inattentive. Some children may get an upset stomach and vomit or have diarrhea. Children find it difficult to fight illness than adults, so they develop ear infections more often. Some researchers believe that other factors, such as being around cigarette smoke, can contribute to ear infections.
Otitis media causes severe pain and may also result in serious complications if it is not treated. An untreated infection can travel from the middle ear to the nearby parts of the head, including the brain. Although the hearing loss caused by this ear infection is usually temporary, untreated otitis media may lead to permanent hearing impairment. Persistent fluid in the middle ear and chronic infection can reduce a child's hearing at a time that is critical for speech and language development. Children who have early hearing impairment from frequent ear infections are likely to have speech and language disabilities.
Here are a few things you can do to lower your child's risk of getting otitis media. The best thing you can do is to pay attention to your child. Know the warning signs of ear infections, and be on the lookout if your child gets a cold. If you think your child has an ear infection, take them to the doctor. Do not smoke around your child. Smoke is not good for the delicate parts inside your child's ear.
There are some myths that have been associated with ear infections. For example going without a hat in cold weather causes ear infections - No, going does not cause ear infections without your ears covered. The middle ear most often becomes infected from bacteria that travel up the eustachian tube from the throat. Another myth is that ear infections run in families - No, there is no evidence that ear infections are inherited. Ear infections are most common in infants and young children because they have a shorter eustachian tube and because they are less immune to infections. People who have had frequent ear infections as children may or may not continue to get them as adults.
When otitis media hits you or your child it is wise to consult your doctor. The most important and immediate thing will be to reduce your pain and your doctor may prescribe paracetamol or ibuprofen for this. Depending on your diagnosis he may also prescribe antibiotics to take orally or antibiotic eardrops. Decongestants or antihistamines may help relieve the swelling of the eustachian tube and drain fluid from the ear.

Till next week take care of yourself and each other. And remember, '…in all your getting, get understanding.'