Pathophysiology, Manifestations, and Treatment of Acute Otitis Media

This report examines the pathophysiology of acute otitis media (AOM), focusing on the dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, bacterial colonization, and inflammation in the middle ear. It details the manifestations, including symptoms like fever, ear pain, and potential hearing loss, and explores treatment options, such as analgesics and antibiotics, based on the severity and age of the patient. The report also addresses the effects of recurrent AOM, including the risk of hearing abnormalities and potential impacts on language development and auditory attention. References include sources from Stanford Children's Health, Healthline, and the American Family Physician, providing a comprehensive overview of the condition.

Running Head: TASK 0
Pathophysiology
Acute Otitis Media
3-31-2020

TASK 1
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).

TASK 2
Effects of repeated otitis media
Reoccurrence of otitis media causes the stress on the eardrum and the tympanic
membrane which results increases the risk of abnormalities and hearing disabilities. It is
majorly caused due to either poor and incomplete interventions and treatment at the early
phase or due to antibiotic resistant bacterial species namely Streptococcus pneumonia &
Hemophilus influenza which produces beta lactamase. It can pave down the effects on the
nervous system as well, which will cause problems in language attainment, learning and lack
in auditory attention. Moreover, drainage of the fluid and loss of balance can be caused due to
reoccurrence (Sini Haapala, 2016).

TASK 3
References
Harmes, K. M., Blackwood, R. A., Burrows, H. L., Cooke, J. A., Harrison, R. V., &
Passamani, P. P. (2013, 10 01). Otitis Media: Diagnosis and Treatment. American
Family Physician, 88(7), 435-440. Retrieved from
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/1001/p435.html
Luo, E. K. (2018, 04 24). Acute Otitis Media: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis. Retrieved
from healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/ear-infection-acute
Sini Haapala, E. N.-H.-V. (2016, 01 04). Long-term influence of recurrent acute otitis media
on neural involuntary attention switching in 2-year-old children. Behavioral and
Brain Functions, 12(1), 1.
Stanford Children's Health. (2020). Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection). Retrieved from
Stanford Children's Health: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?
id=otitis-media-middle-ear-infection-90-P02057