David Olajide
Ear is an organ of hearing and balance. In mammals, there are three main division of the ear- the outer ear, the middle and the inner ear.
Human ear is the organ of hearing and equilibrium that detects and analyzes sound by transition and maintains a sense of balance.
CAUSE OF EAR DISEASES
Ear infection are caused by two microbes namely, bacteria and viruses, particularly the bacteria streptococcus pneumonia or Heamophilus influenzae. Ear infections result when the Eustachian tubes are blocked, which causes buildup of fluid in the middle ear.
Common Ear Diseases.
Swimmer’s ear (This is called otitis externa.) This is an infection that people develop between eardrum and the outer ear.
Middle ear infection (Otiits Media)- This is an inflammation of the middle ear. Otitis means inflammation while media means middle. This may start with infections that cause sore throat, cold or other respiratory disorders and later spread to the middle ear. This infection can either be acute or chronic.
Inner ear infections: This is also called Labyrinthitis. It is an inflammation inside the inner ear. This occurs when the labyrinth, a part of the inner ear that controls your balance is inflamed as a result of microbe’s infections.
This condition usually gets better by itself within few days especially when the body’s immune system is strong enough to fight the germs.
Vestibular Neuritis: This is an infection of the vestibular nerve. This nerve over laps the inner ear and also plays a role in detecting balance by sending signals from the inner ear to the brain.
Vestibular neuritis cause this nerve to become inflamed, which can cause symptoms such as vertigo and nausea. Vertigo is a symptom, rather than a condition itself. It’s the sensation or feeling that the environment around you is moving or spinning. Vertigo can develop suddenly and last for a few seconds or they may last longer.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MIDDLE EAR INFECTION.
Ear pain
Hearing impairment
Dizziness
Fever
Headache
Nausea
TREATMENT OF EAR INFECTION
Antibiotics are used for non-perforated tympanic membrane. Ofloxacin is used to treat ear infections (swimmers or ear canal infections) and middle ear infections. It works by stopping the growth of germs in the ear.
Topical antibiotic drops may be used in case the tympanic membrane perforation has occurred.
Surgery may be needed if eardrum or ossicle scarring has occurred.
Suggested home remedies for the treatment
The following are suggested home remedies for the treatment of ear infections:
Decongestion
Naturopathic ear drops
Antihistamines
Humidified air
Both oral and topical analgesics are effective in controlling the pain associated with ear infections but the use of decongestants and antihistamines has not been proved to improve symptoms of acute otitis media.
Prevention of ear infections.
There are many ways to reduce the risk of ear infections in you and your children
Vaccinations
Quite smoking and run away from smokers- studies have shown that second hand smoking increases the possibility of ear infections
Control allergies
Control cold and flu-The more you are sick with cold, the more likely you have ear infections.
Breast feed your baby properly for at least 6 months
Watch out for mouth breathing or snoring.
Wash your child hands and your own regularly with soap and water to reduce the spread of germs into the ear
Don’t breastfeed or bottle feed your child while on bed
Always practice nasal irrigation
