What are febrile seizures. How do they affect children. What causes febrile seizures. What are the symptoms of a febrile seizure. How to care for a child with febrile seizures at home. When to seek medical advice for febrile seizures. How to prevent complications from febrile seizures.

Understanding Febrile Seizures: A Common Childhood Occurrence

Febrile seizures are a type of seizure that occurs in children experiencing a fever. These episodes typically affect children between 3 months and 5 years of age, though they can occasionally occur in infants as young as 1 month old. Despite their alarming nature, febrile seizures are generally not harmful and often resolve on their own as the child grows older.

What happens during a febrile seizure?

During a febrile seizure, a child may experience:

• Muscle stiffening
• Shaking of arms and legs
• Unresponsiveness

After the seizure, which usually lasts only a few minutes, the child may appear drowsy or confused for up to half an hour.

Causes and Triggers of Febrile Seizures in Children

Febrile seizures are closely linked to the rapid onset of fever in children. They often occur at the beginning of an illness, sometimes serving as the first noticeable symptom. Common triggers include:

• Ear infections
• Viral illnesses
• Other infections causing fever

In rare cases, infections of the brain or spinal fluid may cause fevers leading to seizures. This underscores the importance of medical evaluation following a febrile seizure to rule out more serious conditions.

Are certain children more prone to febrile seizures?

While any child with a fever can potentially experience a febrile seizure, some factors may increase the likelihood:

• Family history of febrile seizures
• Recent vaccinations (in rare cases)
• Certain genetic predispositions

It’s important to note that about 1 in 3 children who have had a febrile seizure may experience another one in the future.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Febrile Seizures

Identifying a febrile seizure quickly is crucial for proper management. Key symptoms include:

• Sudden loss of consciousness
• Rigid or twitching limbs
• Rolling eyes
• Shallow or irregular breathing
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

These symptoms typically last for a few minutes and are often accompanied by a high fever. However, the fever may not always be noticeable before the seizure begins.

Can febrile seizures be mistaken for other conditions?

Febrile seizures can sometimes be confused with other medical issues, such as:

• Breath-holding spells
• Night terrors
• Epileptic seizures

A proper medical evaluation is essential to distinguish febrile seizures from these other conditions and ensure appropriate treatment.

Home Care Strategies for Children with Febrile Seizures

While febrile seizures can be frightening for parents, there are several steps you can take to care for your child at home:

1. Monitor your child’s behavior and comfort level. If they seem active and alert, fever medication may not be necessary.
2. For a fussy or uncomfortable child, consider giving acetaminophen as directed by your healthcare provider.
3. Administer any prescribed antibiotics for underlying infections as directed.
4. Implement safety measures to prevent accidents during potential future seizures.

Should fever-reducing medications be used to prevent febrile seizures?

Contrary to what many parents might assume, fever-reducing medications do not prevent febrile seizures. These medications can help manage discomfort associated with fever, but they don’t affect the likelihood of seizure occurrence. Always consult with your healthcare provider before administering any medication to your child.

Safety Precautions for Children Prone to Febrile Seizures

To ensure your child’s safety if they are prone to febrile seizures, consider the following precautions:

• Never leave your child alone in a bathtub; opt for showers when possible
• Supervise swimming activities at all times
• Childproof your home to minimize injury risks during a potential seizure
• Educate family members and caregivers about proper seizure management

How can you protect a child during an active febrile seizure?

If your child experiences a febrile seizure:

• Gently turn them onto their side to prevent choking on saliva or vomit
• Remove nearby objects to prevent injury
• Do not attempt to restrain the child or put anything in their mouth
• Time the seizure; if it lasts longer than 5 minutes, call emergency services

Remember, most febrile seizures resolve on their own within 1-2 minutes.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Febrile Seizures

While most febrile seizures are not emergencies, certain situations warrant immediate medical attention:

• Seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes
• Multiple seizures occurring within 24 hours
• Signs of severe dehydration
• Persistent high fever unresponsive to medication
• Unusual drowsiness or confusion after the seizure

What should you expect during a medical evaluation for febrile seizures?

During a medical evaluation, the healthcare provider may:

• Conduct a physical examination
• Ask about the child’s medical history and seizure details
• Order blood tests or imaging studies if necessary
• Provide guidance on home care and future seizure management

The primary goal is to identify the underlying cause of the fever and rule out more serious conditions.

Long-term Outlook and Management of Febrile Seizures

For most children, febrile seizures are a temporary phenomenon that does not lead to long-term health issues. Key points to remember include:

• Febrile seizures typically stop occurring by age 6 or earlier
• They rarely cause any lasting problems or developmental issues
• Most children do not require ongoing medication or treatment
• Regular follow-ups with a healthcare provider can help monitor progress

Do febrile seizures increase the risk of epilepsy later in life?

While febrile seizures and epilepsy are both seizure disorders, they are distinct conditions. The vast majority of children who experience febrile seizures do not develop epilepsy. However, in rare cases, particularly with prolonged or complex febrile seizures, there may be a slightly increased risk. Consult with a neurologist if you have concerns about your child’s seizure history.

Understanding febrile seizures can help parents and caregivers feel more prepared and less anxious when faced with this common childhood occurrence. By recognizing the symptoms, implementing proper home care strategies, and knowing when to seek medical attention, you can effectively manage febrile seizures and support your child’s health and well-being.

Remember that while febrile seizures can be frightening to witness, they are generally harmless and do not indicate a serious underlying condition. With proper knowledge and care, most children outgrow febrile seizures without any long-term consequences. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance tailored to your child’s specific needs.

As research in pediatric neurology continues to advance, our understanding of febrile seizures and their management may evolve. Stay informed by maintaining regular communication with your child’s healthcare team and staying up-to-date with reliable medical resources. By doing so, you can ensure that you’re providing the best possible care for your child throughout their developmental years.

Febrile Seizure

A febrile seizure is a type of seizure that happens in a child who has a fever. These seizures typically affect children ages 3 months to 5 years old. But they can sometimes affect children as young as 1 month old. The seizure causes:

• The child’s muscles to stiffen

• The child’s arms and legs to shake

• The child not to respond

Your child may be drowsy and confused for up to 30 minutes afterward. The seizure often starts as the fever is beginning. It can be the first sign the child is ill. About 1 in 3 children who have had a febrile seizure may have another one. Febrile seizures rarely cause any long-term problems. They often stop by age 6 or sooner.

Febrile seizures occur when a child has a fever from an illness, such as an ear infection or viral illness. The seizure is a symptom of the fever. Sometimes infections of the brain or the spinal fluid can also cause fevers. In these cases, the seizure is a sign of a more serious infection. When a child has a fever and a seizure, it’s important to see a healthcare provider. The provider can figure out the cause of the fever and make sure there is no serious infection.

Home care

Follow these tips when caring for your child at home:

• Watch how your child is acting and feeling. If theyare active and alert, and are eating and drinking, you don’t need to give fever medicine. Fever medicine doesn’t stop febrile seizures from happening.

• If your child is quite fussy and uncomfortable because of the fever, you may give acetaminophen, unless another medicine was prescribed. Don’t give ibuprofen to children younger than 6 months old. Don’t give aspirin (or medicine that contains aspirin) to a child younger than age 19 unless directed by your child’s healthcare provider. Taking aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye syndrome. This is a rare but very serious disorder. It most often affects the brain and the liver.

• If an antibiotic was prescribed to treat an infection, give it as directed until it is finished.

• Until your child gets older and stops having febrile seizures, be careful to:

  • Not leave your child alone in a bathtub. If your child is old enough, use a shower instead.

  • Not let your child swim alone.

  • Follow other measures as given to you by your child’s healthcare provider.

• If a seizure occurs again, turn your child onto their side. This will let any saliva or vomit drain out of the mouth and not into the lungs. Protect your child from injury. Don’t try to force anything into your child’s mouth.

• Almost all febrile seizures stop within 1 to 2 minutes. If your child is having a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes,  call 911.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your child’s healthcare provider, or as advised. Call your child’s provider right away if your child has another febrile seizure.

When to get medical advice

Call your child’s healthcare provider right away if any of thefollowing occur:

• Fever does not get better in 3 days after giving fever medicine

• Abnormal fussiness, drowsiness, or confusion

• Stiff or painful neck

• Headache that gets worse

• Rash or purple spots

© 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.

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Febrile Seizures | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

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What are febrile seizures?

Febrile seizures are seizures or convulsions that occur in young children. They are triggered by fever typically above 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius). Seizures may happen during illnesses such as a cold, the flu, or an ear infection. In some cases, a child may not have a fever at the time of the seizure but will develop one a few hours later.

Having a febrile seizure does not mean a child has epilepsy. Epilepsy involves repeat seizures that are not triggered by fever.  

Symptoms may include:

• Loss of consciousness or passing out
• Uncontrollable shaking
• Eye rolling
• Rigid (stiff) limbs

Less commonly, a child can become rigid or have twitches in only part of the body.

Most febrile seizures last a minute or two. Yet some may only last a few seconds and others may last for more than 15 minutes.

Febrile seizures that last less than 15 minutes do not cause any long-term health problems. However, if another one happens, it is more likely to be prolonged or longer than 15 minutes. A first febrile seizure that is prolonged does not boost the risk of having more. Even prolonged seizures are generally harmless on their own, but they do carry an increased risk of developing epilepsy.

Who is more likely to get febrile seizures?

About 40 percent of children who have one febrile seizure will have another. Certain things increase the risk for more febrile seizures, including:

• Young age—Children who have their first febrile seizure when they are younger than 18 months are at an increased risk of having another one. 
• Family history—Children whose family members had febrile seizures are more likely to have more than one seizure.   
• First sign of illness—Children who have febrile seizures before exhibiting other symptoms of an illness are at greater risk of having multiple seizures.
• Low temperature—Children are more likely to have another febrile seizure if the first one was accompanied by a relatively low temperature.

How are febrile seizures diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosing febrile seizures

To diagnose febrile seizures in infants and children, healthcare providers will review a child’s medical history and perform a physical exam. They often test blood and urine to help pinpoint the cause of the fever. Keep in mind that dehydration from severe diarrhea or vomiting can cause seizures. 

Meningitis, an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain, can cause both fever and seizures that can look like febrile seizures but are much more serious. If meningitis is suspected, health care providers may remove and test a small amount of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.  

Most of the time, children who have febrile seizures will not need to be in the hospital. Healthcare providers may recommend hospitalization if:

• The seizure is prolonged
• The child has a serious infection
• The child is younger than 6 months of age

Treating febrile seizures

Parents and caregivers should remain calm, take first aid measures, and carefully watch the child. During a febrile seizure, parents and caregivers should:

• Note the start time of the seizure. If it lasts longer than five minutes, call an ambulance. The child should be taken right away to the nearest medical facility.
• Call an ambulance if the seizure is less than five minutes but the child does not seem to be recovering quickly.
• Gradually place the child on a protected surface such as the floor to prevent injury. Do not restrain or hold a child during a convulsion.
• Put the child on his or her side or stomach to prevent choking. When possible, gently remove any objects from the child’s mouth. Nothing should ever be placed in the child’s mouth during a seizure. These objects can block airway and make it hard to breathe.
• Seek immediate medical attention if this is the child’s first febrile seizure. Once it is over, take the child to the doctor to check for the cause of the fever. This is especially urgent if the child shows these symptoms of meningitis, an infection over the brain surface, which can include stiff neck, extreme lethargy, or a lot of vomiting.

Drugs that lower fevers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may provide comfort yet studies show that treating a fever does not lower the risk of febrile seizure. Healthcare providers may recommend other medications to control seizures if needed.

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Learn About Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are studies that allow us to learn more about disorders and improve care. They can help connect patients with new and upcoming treatment options.

How can I or my loved one help improve care for people with febrile seizures?

Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about febrile seizures and related disorders. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.

All types of volunteers are needed—those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—of all different ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.

For information about participating in clinical research visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials currently looking for people with febrile seizures at Clinicaltrials.gov.

Where can I find more information about febrile seizures?

Information may be available from the following resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Phone: 800-232-4636

Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE)
Phone: 312-225-1801 or 844-231-2873

Epilepsy Foundation
Phone: 301-459-3700 or 800-332-1000

Learn about related topics

• Epilepsy and Seizures

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Order publications from the NINDS Catalog

The NINDS Publication Catalog offers printed materials on neurological disorders for patients, health professionals, and the general public. All materials are free of charge, and a downloadable PDF version is also available for most publications.

Ear congestion – causes of occurrence, in what diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment

Ear congestion: causes, diagnosis and treatment.

Definition

The congestion of the ear or ears occurs as a result of a violation of sound perception and is characterized by various sensations, including deafness, a feeling of squeezing and heaviness, too strong sounding of one’s own voice. Ear congestion, regardless of the causes of its occurrence, is difficult for the patient to tolerate and, as a rule, requires the help of a specialist.

Types of stuffy ear

Congestion in one or both ears may be accompanied by pain, tingling, noise or ringing in the ears, dizziness. In some cases, congestion disappears after the act of swallowing.

A dangerous symptom is ear congestion with the addition of fever, headache, discharge from the ear (purulent or bloody), sensation of a foreign body.

Ear congestion does not always indicate a pathological process. This condition can be caused0005 water in the ear, pressure drop during air travel or deep diving. Sometimes too strong and incorrect blowing simultaneously from two nasal passages leads to blockage of the ear (ears), which is associated with an increase in pressure in the middle chamber of the ear due to a sharp intake of air from the Eustachian tube. Taking some medicines (antibiotics, psychotropic substances) has a toxic effect on the ear, causing congestion and hearing loss.

Diseases in which ear congestion may develop

Sulfur plug clogged the ear canal. Attempting to remove earwax yourself with the help of improvised objects significantly increases the likelihood of pushing the plug deeper into the ear and sticking wax on the eardrum (this increases the risk of injury to the eardrum, leading to complete or partial hearing loss). In these cases, the state of congestion in the ears is accompanied by excruciating pain, noise, dizziness and nausea.

Mycotic or fungal infection of the external auditory canal . Infection with fungi can be complicated by narrowing or blockage of the ear canal with the appearance of a feeling of stuffiness in the ears. Hearing aids, in-ear headphones, as well as inflammatory diseases of the ear exacerbate the spread of fungi in the ear. The main signs of the disease are itching, ear congestion and the resulting hearing loss, an increase in the sound of one’s own voice in the diseased ear.

Damage to the external auditory canal and structures of the middle ear may be accompanied by hearing loss and congestion. Bleeding and the formation of a blood clot that clogs the ear canal lead to a deterioration in sound conduction. In addition, trauma to the tympanic membrane is possible during cleaning of the ear canal, a sharp drop in pressure, a strong blow to the outer ear. In this case, there is a sharp pain, which is replaced by congestion, ringing, noise and hearing loss.

Acute inflammatory diseases accompanied by edema and sometimes purulent contents. They can lead to ear congestion and hearing loss. In particular, with otitis media (tympanitis) , the tympanic cavity and auditory tube are involved in the inflammatory process. Swelling, narrowing the lumen of the auditory tube, and suppuration of soft tissues cause ear congestion and hearing loss. As a rule, the infection penetrates into this sterile cavity from the Eustachian tube, which is directly connected to the nasopharynx.

In children of the first and second years of life, acute otitis media can occur when breast milk or milk formula enters the nasopharynx during regurgitation.

In older children, otitis media and congestion can be caused by inflammation of the adenoids – lymphoid tissue responsible for local immunity of the nasopharynx and closing the openings of the auditory tubes in the nasopharynx. The anatomical proximity of the adenoids and the auditory tube ensures the rapid transfer of infection from the nasopharynx to the ears. In addition, enlarged adenoids can block the openings of the auditory tube, which causes a feeling of congestion.

Allergic reactions can also lead to acute inflammation and swelling of the middle ear.

Otitis externa is characterized by inflammation of the external ear canal. Congestion in the ear in this case occurs due to swelling of the tissues of the ear canal.

If the disease is caused by the ingress of a foreign body into the ear canal , then swelling and congestion are complemented by a picture of severe irritation. The patient complains of severe itching, pain, feeling of fullness, heat in the ear area. The pain is aggravated by chewing movements.

With furunculosis of the external auditory canal, the picture of the disease is aggravated by a closed space, where the inflammatory process develops. The growing pain in the ear is complemented by its irradiation to the corresponding half of the head. The patient cannot lie on the affected side. Due to the strong swelling of the tissues of the external auditory canal, sound conduction to the diseased ear is disturbed, there is a feeling of congestion.

To the number of anatomical and postoperative defects , which cause ear congestion, include deviated septum, narrowing of the nasal passage due to hypoplasia of the wings of the nose, stenosis of the external valve of the nose.

Violation of nasal breathing leads to the frequent occurrence of a runny nose, infection of the nasal sinuses and, as a result, to the transition of the inflammatory process to the auditory tube.

Ear congestion in these cases appears on the side of the narrow nasal passage. The same consequences occur after operations in the nose.

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs due to damage to any part of the auditory nerve. Most often, this is an irreversible phenomenon, the symptoms of which include imbalance, dizziness, nausea, congestion and noise in the ear, poor perception of low sounds. The causes of sensorineural hearing loss can be transferred infectious and vascular diseases, tumor processes, injuries, toxic effects of various substances.

Meniere’s disease is a non-purulent disease of the inner ear, which is accompanied by its congestion. An increase in the volume of lymph in the labyrinth of the ear leads to increased pressure and attacks of progressive deafness, tinnitus, and sudden dizziness. In most cases, one ear is affected first. The disease begins either with attacks of dizziness, or with hearing impairment, which is completely restored between attacks. However, after a few years, hearing loss becomes irreversible.

Myofascial pain syndrome, diseases of the temporomandibular joint . Patients with myofascial pain syndrome, which is associated with impaired activity of the masticatory muscles and limited mobility of the lower jaw, may also complain of ear congestion. In addition, the disease is accompanied by headaches and facial pain, difficulty opening the mouth, clicking in the temporomandibular joint.

The root cause of the syndrome is a spasm of the masticatory muscles. A similar clinical picture is also given by diseases of the joint itself, caused by malocclusion.

Cerebral atherosclerosis, high blood pressure . Congestion in the ears with damage or vasoconstriction is due to a deterioration in the blood supply to all tissues, as well as a violation of blood circulation in the inner and middle ear.

Vasomotor rhinitis, or runny nose during pregnancy occurs under the influence of hormonal changes and is characterized by impaired vascular tone and secretion of mucous secretion. With allergic rhinitis, the clinical picture of the disease is almost the same, but the provoking factor is not hormones, but a specific allergen. Swelling of the mucous membrane and narrowing of the nasal passages lead to impaired patency of the auditory tube and cause ear congestion.

Tumors in the ear canal, auditory tube and inner ear – the most dangerous cause of ear congestion. Among them should be called cholesteatoma – a tumor-like formation, which consists of epidermal cells impregnated with cholesterol. Cholesteatoma is characterized by slow but steady growth. Formed in the middle ear, it can spread to the outer and inner ear, causing congestion and a feeling of heaviness in the ear, purulent discharge, swelling and redness of the auricle.

Which doctors to contact in case of ear congestion

If ear congestion occurs, you should contact an otorhinolaryngologist. Further consultation may be required.
therapist,
pediatrician,
gynecologist, neurologist, cardiologist, allergist.

Diagnosis and examination of ear congestion

To diagnose the disease that caused ear congestion, a careful questioning of the patient, examination of the external ear and auditory canal to the eardrum, audiometric examination is necessary. The infectious nature of the disease is determined on the basis of the clinical picture, otoscopy data and culture of the discharge.

What should I do if my ear is blocked?

If ear congestion occurs regularly, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor or try to eliminate this condition yourself.

Ear congestion treatment

Elimination of ear congestion is possible only with the treatment of the disease that caused it.

In the case of its infectious nature, antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy is necessary. Myofascial syndrome and temporomandibular joint dysfunction require bite correction and anti-inflammatory treatment. For tumors and injuries in the ear area, surgical treatment is indicated. With neurological and vascular nature of congestion and hearing loss, vascular and vitamin therapy are connected.

Sources:

1. Clinical guidelines “Otitis externa” (children). Developed by: Union of Pediatricians of Russia, National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. – 2021.
2. Clinical guidelines “otitis externa” (adults). Developed by: National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – 2021.
3. Clinical guidelines “Otitis media acute”. Developed by: National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – 2021.
4. Meniere’s disease: Clinical guidelines. – National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – Moscow – St. Petersburg, 2014.
5. Sensorineural hearing loss in adults: Clinical guidelines. – National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. — Moscow, 2016.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

Ear diseases (Ear diseases): types, symptoms, diagnosis

The article was checked by a doctor: Elena Lvovna Kogan

Consultation with a specialist:

Structure and general classification of ear diseases

The organ of hearing consists of 3 parts:

1. Outer ear – auricle and external auditory canal.
2. The middle ear is located behind the eardrum and is an air chamber containing the auditory ossicles.
3. Internal – located in the temporal bone. It has many channels, which is why it is called a labyrinth. Here is the main organ responsible for the perception of sound – the cochlea.

Ear diseases can affect any of the indicated departments or several at once. Consider the general qualification of ear pathologies depending on the cause.

4. Infectious inflammatory diseases

They occupy a leading position. They mainly occur in childhood, since in children the ear canal is not yet fully developed, and therefore shorter than in adults. This contributes to the fact that the infection spreads faster in depth, affecting all parts of the hearing aid. This group includes all otitis media.

5. Injuries

Mechanical damage, shocks, bruises, a sharp change in atmospheric pressure (barotrauma), acoustic injuries can cause serious damage to the hearing organ. This also includes the presence of foreign objects in the auricle. Most often occur in athletes, scuba divers and children.

6. Fungal infections or otomycosis

The causative agent is yeast-like fungal microorganisms. It affects the outer and middle ear. The provoking factor is a decrease in immunity or trauma.

7. Non-inflammatory pathologies

Chronic diseases, which in most cases are hereditary. These are sensorineural hearing loss, otosclerosis, neuritis.

Otohematoma can be distinguished separately. This is a deformity of the outer ear, which is accompanied by hemorrhage and occurs as a result of injury.

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Main types and symptoms of diseases of the ear

Almost all ear diseases have similar symptoms. Consider the most common diseases and their clinical manifestations.

Eustachitis

Has an infectious nature. The inflammatory process affects the auditory canal (Eustachian tube), which leads to impaired ventilation in the ear cavity. The result is otitis media. The symptoms are:

• discomfort and pain;
• sensation of liquid;
• hearing loss;
• crackling or strange noise in the ear;
• fever in the event of a purulent process.

All manifestations are aggravated by movement.

Mastoiditis

Included in the group of inflammatory pathologies of an infectious nature. Affects the inner ear. Often occurs as a complication of the inflammatory process in the middle ear. Characteristic manifestations:

• sudden rise in temperature;
• general weakness, intoxication;
• throbbing pain;
• discharge with pus;
• outer ear edema;
• hearing loss.

One of the main first symptoms is dizziness. It comes on suddenly, for no reason.

Meniere’s disease

It is characterized by an increase in pressure in the labyrinth of the middle ear. As a result, blood vessels are affected, and fluid begins to accumulate in the ear cavity. The exact reasons have not been clarified. Not amenable to complete cure. Symptoms:

• attacks of deafness;
• nausea;
• balance problems, dizziness;
• constant noise in the diseased ear.

Discomfort is aggravated by loud noises.

Acoustic neuritis (cochlear neuritis)

Frequent disease with a chronic course. Inflammation affects the nerve structures of the inner ear. Patients complain mainly of hearing loss and the appearance of additional sounds. It can be whistling, crackling, rustling. It usually occurs in people over 50 years of age. Dangerous complication – necrosis, which leads to complete irreversible deafness.

Otitis and tympanitis

These are inflammatory diseases that affect various parts of the organ of hearing. This diagnosis is mainly made in children and the elderly. Allocate external, average and internal otitis (labyrinthitis). The manifestations of the disease include:

• severe throbbing pain that worsens with jaw movements;
• fever;
• fatigue, lethargy;
• feeling of fullness in the ear.

There may be short-term hearing loss. Often there is an increase in lymph nodes. With a complication, mesotympanitis (purulent otitis media) and epitympanitis develop (a purulent process affects the bone).

Otomycosis

The main reason is yeast-like or mold fungi. Pathology can occur in the outer or middle ear. At the initial stage of infection proceeds without symptoms. The clinical picture is represented by the following manifestations:

• severe itching;
• suppuration;
• presence of ulcers;
• headache from affected ear;
• ear discharge;
• stuffy feeling;
• pinna sensitivity.

Often such a diagnosis is made in people with chronic metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus), with a persistent decrease in immunity (HIV status) or after chemotherapy.

Otosclerosis

This is a hereditary pathology in which the bony labyrinth of the inner ear is affected. It occurs more often in women after 45 years of age. But the first manifestations can appear at a young age. Without appropriate treatment, it often leads to the development of bilateral hearing loss. You can suspect the disease by the following symptoms:

• progressive hearing loss without cause;
• incomprehensible sound or noise in one or both ears;
• dizziness;
• improve hearing in noisy environments;
• balance disorders.

With such manifestations, you need to contact an otolaryngologist.

Otogenic sepsis

A severe complication that occurs as a result of the spread of purulent inflammation from the middle ear. Infection through the lymphatic tract or through the vessels of the meninges enters the general circulation. The diagnosis is typical for young and middle age. Symptoms come on suddenly and include:

• temperature fluctuations;
• chills;
• increased sweating;
• tachycardia;
• refusal to eat;
• feeling worse;
• shortness of breath.

Surgery is mandatory, so this condition requires immediate hospitalization.

Earplug

The accumulation of earwax, which partially or completely clogs the ear canal. A common condition that is accompanied by the following manifestations:

• sensation of a foreign object;
• ear congestion and hearing loss;
• coughing may occur;
• yawns;
• slight dizziness, as from motion sickness in transport.

Often, symptoms appear after water procedures. A clot of sulfur swells due to water ingress, and completely blocks the passage in the ear.

Ear injuries

With sudden pressure drops (at great depths in water or in air), an injury to the eardrum occurs. Also, damage is possible when exposed to loud sound vibrations. This condition is characterized by pain and bleeding. With mechanical damage to various objects, with bruises or blows, dizziness, severe ringing in the ears are noted. Temporary deafness is characteristic.

It is also possible the formation of various neoplasms in the ear. Usually, the tumor forms inside the auricle or near it. It rarely affects the middle section. They are characterized by slow growth and the absence of painful symptoms.

Causes of ear diseases

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Diseases can occur for various reasons. The main ones include:

1. Improper hygiene or the use of unsuitable items.
2. Reduced immunity.
3. The presence of other chronic foci of inflammation in the body. Infectious diseases of the nasopharynx are especially dangerous.
4. Injuries.
5. Endocrine diseases.
6. Metabolic disorders.
7. Heredity.
8. Excessive production of ear secretions.
9. Professional activity associated with constant noise.

In children, ear diseases are diagnosed more often due to the peculiarities of the physiological structure of the child’s ear. Also, they have not yet fully formed local and general immunity. In adults, the causes are usually associated with other chronic pathologies or injuries.

Diagnosis of ear diseases and medical appointments

If there is pain in the ear, or for no apparent reason, hearing begins to decline, then you should definitely contact an otolaryngologist. Depending on the symptoms, you may need to consult an audiologist – a doctor who deals with hearing disorders.

Diagnostic methods

The patient’s complaints, as well as the study of family history, play an important role in making a diagnosis. The doctor performs an external examination of the auricle. If this is not enough to determine the disease, then resort to hardware methods.

1. Otoscopy is a painless method of examining the outer ear using an otoscope. This is an instrument that looks like a tube with a light. It helps to reveal hidden infections, injuries, and also to detect a foreign body.
2. Tympanometry is an acoustic method for studying the functionality of the auditory tube and the mobility of the ossicles in the middle ear.
3. Audiometry – a test for the study of hearing acuity. It is carried out by an audiologist on a computer.
4. X-ray of the ear and temporal bone – recommended for inflammatory pathologies. Helps to identify pathological changes in the inner ear.
5. ultrasound.
6. Computed tomography.

In case of discharge and suspicion of a bacterial infection, bacteriological culture is performed. It detects the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics, which allows you to choose the best therapy. In chronic ear infections, a complete blood count is prescribed.

Possible complications in diseases of the ear

If you do not stop the spread of the infection in time, then it can get into the lymph, as well as into the brain tissue. In these cases, death is possible. Thus, complications of ear diseases can be:

• meningitis;
• abscess development;
• bacterial sepsis;
• facial paralysis;
• neoplasms, including oncological ones.

Running inflammation can destroy the integrity of the eardrum. This threatens with hearing loss or deafness. It can be partial or complete, affecting one ear or both at once. But most importantly, in some cases, deafness becomes irreversible.

Treatment of diseases of the ear

The treatment regimen is selected only by a doctor after carrying out the necessary research methods. Self-medication is not worth it. Treatment in most cases is complex. The main goal is to eliminate the inflammatory process and reduce pain. In chronic pathologies, therapy is aimed at prolonging the period of remission. For ear diseases, the following groups of medicines are used:

1. Antibiotic tablets or drops (if bacterial infection is detected).
2. Analgesics.
3. Antiseptic solutions for washing the affected ear.
4. Anti-inflammatory ointments that are placed in the ear canal with the help of turundas.
5. Nasopharyngeal vasoconstrictor drops.
6. Hormonal preparations (for medical reasons).

Physiotherapy methods give good results. But they are prescribed after the removal of the acute period and only by a doctor. With mycoses and other fungal infections, physiotherapy and heating are prohibited. With sulfur plugs, special means are used to soften it.

With purulent pathologies and the occurrence of an abscess, surgical intervention is performed. If hearing loss or partial deafness occurs, the doctor may recommend tympanoplasty.