noun
definition
Inflammation of the ear.
Examples of otitis in a Sentence
There is very often concurrent sinusitis or otitis media (6090% of cases ).
Doctors treating chronic otitis media (or glue ear) often puncture the eardrum on purpose to drain pus from the middle ear.
Of the 168 with no parental concern 119 passed our first test, but 81 of these had serous otitis media.
Fevers are caused in most cases by viral or bacterial infections, such as otitis media (ear infection), upper respiratory infection, pharyngitis (throat infection), pneumonia, chickenpox, and urinary tract infection.
Antihistamines and decongestants have also been used to treat otitis media, but they have not been proven effective unless the child also has hay fever or some other allergic inflammation that contributes to the ear problem.
Although doctors in the past sometimes removed the child's tonsils or adenoids to treat recurrent otitis media with effusion, this practice is not recommended as of the early 2000s.
These potential complications against the risks of language delay, possible learning problems, or hearing loss resulting from chronic otitis media.
Acute otitis media-Inflammation of the middle ear with signs of infection lasting less than three months.
Chronic otitis media-Inflammation of the middle ear with signs of infection lasting three months or longer.
As early as three months of age, however, the SCID child begins to suffer from mouth infections (thrush), chronic diarrhea, otitis media, and pulmonary infections, including pneumocystis pneumonia.
Mastoiditis is usually a consequence of a middle ear infection called acute otitis media (AOM).
Developing countries have a higher incidence of mastoiditis, presumably resulting from untreated otitis media.
Middle ear infection (otitis media) is the most common cause of perforation of the eardrum.
Conductive hearing impairment is most often caused by otitis media, an infection of the middle ear.
About 20 percent of children have an episode of acute otitis media every year.
Otitis media is more common among children of Eskimo or Native American descent and among children whose parents smoke.
Chronic secretory otitis media, also called otitis media with effusion or suppurative otitis media, is the most common cause of temporary hearing impairment in children under eight.
Children develop otitis media because the eustachian tubes that connect the middle ear with the back of the mouth and equalize air pressure and drain fluid are small and easily obstructed.
Acute otitis media can result from a respiratory infection such as a cold that causes an inflammation that blocks a eustachian tube.
If the blockage persists it causes chronic secretory otitis media, the most common cause of conductive hearing impairment in children.
A painful earache and temporary hearing impairment in one ear are common symptoms of acute otitis media.
The symptoms of secretory otitis media develop gradually and fluctuate.
Otitis media sometimes runs in families, indicating that there may be a hereditary component.
Second-hand smoke also is a risk factor for otitis media.
Secretory otitis media usually disappears without treatment.
However, a procedure called myringotomy or tympanostomy may be used for recurrent acute otitis media or secretory otitis media that persists for several months.
Symptoms of acute otitis media usually disappear within a few days, although a ruptured eardrum may take several weeks to heal.
However, recurrent or chronic otitis media can result in ongoing moderate hearing impairment, often at a stage in which hearing is essential for language development.
Screening for Hearing Loss and Otitis Media in Children.
Streptococci, meningococci, and Haemophilus influenzae, organisms that cause diseases such as otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and sepsis, all make capsules.
Otitis externa refers to an infection of the ear canal (outer ear), the tube leading from the outside opening of the ear in towards the eardrum.
Otitis externa is commonly referred to as swimmer's ear.
Although all age groups are affected by otitis externa, children, adolescents, and young adults whose ears are exposed to persistent, excessive moisture develop the infection most often.
Otitis externa occurs most often in warm climates and during the summer months, when more people are participating in water activities.
Chidren and adolescents with otitis externa often have been diving or swimming for long periods of time, especially in polluted lakes, rivers, or ponds.
Routine showering can also lead to otitis externa.
Bacteria, fungi, and viruses have all been implicated in causing otitis externa.
However, most commonly otitis externa is caused by bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Other bacteria that can cause otitis externa include Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and bacteria of the family called Streptococci.
Occasionally, fungi may cause otitis externa.
Two types of viruses, called herpesvirus hominis and varicella-zoster virus, have also been identified as causing otitis externa.
Other conditions predisposing to otitis externa include the use of cotton swabs to clean the ear canals.
Hair spray or hair coloring, which can irritate the ear canal, may also lead to otitis externa.
The first symptom of otitis externa is often itching of the ear canal, followed by watery discharge from the ear.
In severe cases, otitis externa may be accompanied by fever.
A serious and life-threatening type of otitis externa is called malignant otitis externa.
In malignant otitis externa, a patient has usually had minor symptoms of otitis externa for some months, with pain and drainage.
Diagnosis of uncomplicated otitis externa is usually quite simple.
The symptoms alone, of ear pain worsened by any touch to the outer ear, are characteristic of otitis externa.
If there is a need to identify the types of organisms causing otitis externa, the canal can be gently swabbed to obtain a specimen.