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Otitis
ALTERNATIVE NAMES: Acute otitis media; chronic otitis media; secretory otitis media; swimmer's ear; acute otitis externs; chronic otitis externs.
DEFINITION: Inflammation of any of the outer, middle, or inner ear structures.
WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY BODY? Otitis can be inflammation of any structure of the ear. The ear consists of three components. There is the outer ear formed by the auricle (pinna) and the external auditory canal. The middle ear is the air-filled space bordered laterally by the tympanic membrane and contains the three small bones for hearing. The inner ear consists of the cochlea and labyrinth, which are involved in hearing and balance detection respectively. Inflammation can occur in any of these areas. The subsequent symptoms would depend upon where the inflammation is occurring. Inflammation of the outer ear structures is usually a result of infection of the skin of the ear canal. It can occasionally be caused by inflammation of the cartilage supporting structures for the external ear. Inflammation of the middle ear is usually a result of viral or bacterial processes. Inflammation of the inner ear is typically viral or bacterial. The site of inflammation determines the symptoms that the patient would present with. This is discussed in greater detail under the sections of acute otitis externs, chronic otitis externs, malignant otitis externs, acute otitis media, and chronic otitis media.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS? The signs and symptoms would be specific to the area of inflammation. Please refer to the specific type of otitis that you are interested in.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED? It is usually diagnosed by physical examination findings and the symptoms of which the patient is complaining. This will be discussed under the various subtypes of otitis.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND RISKS? Please refer to the specific type of otitis that you are interested in.
HOW TO PREVENT THE DISEASE: This is location-specific. Please refer to the area of otitis that you are interested in.
WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS? These would be specific to the various types of otitis.
AM I PUTTING OTHERS AT RISK? No.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS? Specific to the particular form of otitis.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS TO THE TREATMENTS? Same as above.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TREATMENT? Same as above.
HOW DO I MONITOR THE DISEASE? Same as above.
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