Otitis Media

Overview

Otitis media is a general term for a group of inflammatory conditions of the middle ear, most commonly acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME). Acute otitis media results from acute infection, with ear pain as a common symptom; affected young children often tug at their ears, cry more, sleep poorly, and may have poor appetite or fever. Otitis media with effusion is usually asymptomatic and involves non-infectious fluid in the ear for over three months.

Symptoms

• Ear pain
• Ear fullness
• Hearing loss
• Ear discharge
• Fever

Treatment

Acute suppurative otitis media requires anti-infective treatment under medical guidance and keeping the ear canal clean; secretory otitis media may be observed or treated with tympanic puncture, and recurrent cases need specialist care.

Dietary advice

Eat a light diet, drink plenty of water, and avoid spicy, irritating, and hard foods.