What
are the risk factors for developing Otitis Media?
The
greatest risk factor for Otitis Media is
Eustachian Tube blockage
due to an upper respiratory illness such as common cold, flu,
throat or sinus infection.
Additional
risk factors include:
- Age.
Infants and young children are more prone as discussed earlier.
Also, the younger a child is at the time of the first ear infection,
the greater the chance he or she will have repeated infections.
- Enlarged
Adenoids. Contribute
to ear infections as discussed earlier.
- Bottle-feeding.
Babies, who are bottle-fed, especially while they are lying
down, are more susceptible to ear infections than breast-fed
babies. Also, breast milk provides immunity
- Colds
& Allergies.
Often lead to ear infections by causing swelling of the Eustachian
tube.
- Cigarette
smoke.
Children inhaling tobacco smoke have a higher risk of developing
health problems, including ear infections.
- Socioeconomic
Status. Children from
low socioeconomic groups have a higher incidence than those
living in wealthier communities.
- Gender.
Boys are more apt to have infections than girls.
What
are the effects of Otitis Media?
Otitis
Media causes severe earache, but may result in serious complications
if not treated. An untreated infection can travel from the middle
ear to the nearby parts of the head, including the brain. Persistent
fluid in the middle ear hampers the movement of the eardrum and
the three middle ear bones resulting in mild to moderate
hearing
loss. Although this hearing loss is usually temporary,
untreated otitis media may lead to permanent hearing impairment.
In a child learning to talk, it can lead to
speech and language
disabilities.
What are the possible complications from untreated Otitis Media?
Although
very rare,
complications from untreated middle ear infections
can include:
- Labyrinthitis:
an infection of the inner ear that causes dizziness and imbalance
- Mastoiditis:
an infection of the skull behind the ear
- Meningitis:
an infection of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord
- Tympanosclerosis:
scarring or thickening of the eardrum
- Facial
paralysis
- Permanent
hearing loss
Last updated on 23-02-2001
