“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear, which is the space behind the eardrum that contains the small bones responsible for transmitting sound from the eardrum to the inner ear.
There are two main types of otitis media: acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME). AOM is a painful infection that usually comes on suddenly and is often caused by bacteria, while OME is a non-infectious build-up of fluid in the middle ear that can occur after an ear infection or due to other factors like allergies or environmental irritants.
Common symptoms of otitis media include ear pain, fever, headache, difficulty hearing, and feeling generally unwell. Treatment options depend on the type and severity of the condition, but may include antibiotics for AOM, pain relief medication, or observation for OME. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.
It's important to seek medical attention if you suspect you or your child has otitis media, as untreated infections can lead to complications like hearing loss, mastoiditis, or meningitis.