Different types of otitis media

Otitis media can be divided into several types, which can be acute or chronic, and can be purulent or non-purulent. Generally, otitis media does not occur often in adults, and most of the cases occur in children. If family members do not understand what otitis media is and miss the best time for treatment, other diseases may occur. So, what are the specific types of otitis media?

Otitis media in children can be classified as:

1. Chronic otitis media. Chronic otitis media is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear mucosa, tympanic membrane or deep bone, and often coexists with chronic mastoiditis. If acute otitis media is not treated in time or the condition is severe, it may also develop into chronic otitis media.

2. Acute non-suppurative otitis media, also known as exudative otitis media, is caused by various factors that lead to acute obstruction of the Eustachian tube lumen, causing congestion, edema and effusion in the middle ear mucosa. The main clinical manifestations are ear stuffiness, tinnitus, deafness, and retraction of the tympanic membrane.

3. Acute suppurative otitis media is an acute suppurative inflammation of the middle ear mucosa. The lesions are primarily located in the tympanic cavity, but other parts of the middle ear are often affected. The main pathogens are pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, hemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus, etc. This disease is common and is more common in children. Acute suppurative otitis media is an acute suppurative inflammation of otitis media, which is common in children, more common in winter and spring, and often secondary to upper respiratory tract infection.

4. Chronic suppurative otitis media is a chronic suppurative inflammation of the middle ear mucosa, periosteum or deep into the bone, which often coexists with chronic mastoiditis. This disease is extremely common. Clinically, it is characterized by repeated pus discharge from the ear, tympanic membrane perforation and hearing loss. It can cause serious intracranial and extracranial complications and be life-threatening.

5. Acute otitis media, sudden ear pain, often accompanied by cold or cough. If the patient is a baby, he will cry incessantly and rub the earlobe of the affected ear. Fever, body temperature can be as high as 39 degrees Celsius. Vomiting may occur, or the ear canal may have a discharge of soft wax or pus. Hearing may be lost in the affected ear.

Otitis media in children includes the five types mentioned above, but these five types are not complete, and there are some that are not mentioned. For parents, the above five types and their manifestations are the most common. Parents can pay more attention to these five situations so that their children can receive timely treatment and cure otitis media.