EAR, NOSE AND THROAT Flashcards
OTITIS EXTERNA (SWIMMERS EAR) - DEFINITION
Infection of outer ear canal, which runs from eardrum to outside of head
OTITIS EXTERNA (SWIMMERS EAR) - CAUSE
Usually caused by bacteria
OTITIS EXTERNA (SWIMMERS EAR) - POPULATION AFFECTED
Anyone can get it - most common in children
OTITIS EXTERNA (SWIMMERS EAR) - RISK FACTORS
- Excessive moisture in ear canal
- Exposure to high bacteria levels
- Cleaning ear canal (e.g., with cotton swabs
- Ear devices (e.g., ear buds, hearing aids)
OTITIS EXTERNA (SWIMMERS EAR) - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Usually mild unless not treated
- Mild- itching in ear canal, redness inside ear, mild discomfort that’s made worse by pulling on outer ear, some drainage of clear, odourless fluid
- Moderate- more-intense itching, inc P, more-extensive redness, excessive fluid damage, decreased or muffled hearing, feeling of fullness in ear
- Advanced- severe P that may radiate to your face or neck, complete blockage of ear canal, redness or swelling of outer ear, swelling in lymph node in neck, fever
OTITIS EXTERNA (SWIMMERS EAR) - PROGNOSIS
- Usually treated with ear drops
- Prompt treatment can prevent complications and more serious infections
OTITIS MEDIA - DEFINITION
- Infection of the middle ear
- Air-filled space behind eardrum that contains vibrating bones in ear
OTITIS MEDIA - CAUSE
- Bacteria or virus
- Often results from another illness- e.g., cold, flu or allergy- that causes congestion and swelling in nasal passages, throat and eustachian (narrow tubes that run from middle ear to high in back of throat
OTITIS MEDIA - POPULATION AFFECTED
Children
OTITIS MEDIA - RISK FACTORS
- Age- children between 6 months and 2 years
- Infant feeding
- Seasonal factors
- Poor air quality
- Cleft palate- difference in bone structure and muscles in children, makes it more difficult for eustachian tube to drain
OTITIS MEDIA - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Onset usually rapid
- Children
o Ear P, especially when lying down
o Trouble sleeping
o Trouble hearing or responding to sounds
o Loss of balance
o Drainage of fluid from ear
o Headache - Adults
o Ear P
o Drainage of fluid from ear
o Trouble hearing
OTITIS MEDIA - PROGNOSIS
- Often clear up on own
- Treatment may begin with managing P and monitoring problem
- Sometimes ABs used to clear infection
EARDRUM PERFORATION INFECTION - DEFINITION
- Aka ruptured ear drum
- Hole or tear in thin tissue that separates ear canal from middle ear
EARDRUM PERFORATION INFECTION - CAUSE
- Otitis media- often results from accumulation of fluids in middle of ear. Pressure from these fluids can cause eardrum to rupture
- Barotrauma- stress extended on ear drum when air pressure in middle ear and air pressure in enviro are not equal, if pressure is severe rupture can happen
- Acoustic trauma/loud sound
- Foreign objects in ear
- Severe head trauma
EARDRUM PERFORATION INFECTION - POPULATION AFFECTED
Anyone