Pathophysiology | Acute Otitis Media

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Pathophysiology
Acute Otitis Media
3-31-2020

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Alterations
Acute Otitis media is caused due to the dysfunction of the Eustachian tube,
colonization of the bacteria and inflammation in the ear. It involves inflammation in the
middle ear mostly behind the ear drum. The Eustachian tubes equalizes the pressure between
inner and the outer ear. In the case when tube is not working effectively, the normal draining
of the fluid is hindered and hence results in the collection of fluid behind the eardrum. This
causes the accumulation of the bacteria which causes acute otitis media. If left untreated it
can lead to permanent hearing loss which as the stagnation of the fluid behind the eardrum
causes damage to it as wells as stresses the nerves and bones found in the ear (Stanford
Children's Health, 2020).
Manifestations
Shane’s symptoms include cold, fever, redness and bulge in the right tympanic
membrane. While the symptoms that has been recorded in the children suffering from the
otitis media largely matches with Shane’s symptoms such as irritability, distorted sleep
cycles, fever, ear pain which might have caused the continuous crying and discomfort to the
Shane. Apart from these, otitis media also causes hearing loss, draining of ear fluid and loss
in balance (Luo, 2018).
Treatment options
Acute otitis is determined at the early onset which involves symptoms such as redness
and bulging and minor pain in the ear. This case can be easily treated and managed at the
early stage. Otoscopy is carried out to look for the visible sign and changes in the ear.
Tympano centesis can be carried out to detect effusion in the middle ear. Additionally, it has
been recommended that the infants must be prescribed analgesics such as acetaminophen,
benzocaine & ibuprofen due to longer action time and lesser toxicity instead of heavy
antibiotics which is usually given to children above two or three years of age. If the infant is
intolerant to penicillin then high does of amoxicillin is given with dose of 80mg to 90mg in a
day. Decongestants are usually ineffective in treatment of otitis media. If the child’s
condition also involves hearing loss and issue while speaking then they must be referred to
otolaryngologist for further interventions (Harmes, et al., 2013).