Otitis Media: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Otitis media is the inflammation in the middle of the ear. This condition is extremely common in children. There are different types of Otitis media, such as Acute Otitis media, Otitis media with effusion, chronic suppurative Otitis media and adhesive Otitis media. This condition can have different symptoms such as Otalgia, Otorrhea, headache, fever, irritability, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes, Otitis media can also be an underlying cause of serious disorders such as Otalgia, Vertigo, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, etc. When small children experience Otitis media, they show symptoms such as poor sleep, increased crying and pulling at the ear.

Antibiotics such as Amoxicillin is used to decrease pain caused due to this condition. However if the pain doesn’t subside, surgery is required. Otitis media can cause a lot of discomfort such as sleeplessness, headache, neck pain, drainage of fluid from the ear, lack of balance and hearing loss. It is important to get it treated as soon as possible or the pain will just keep increasing. Cigarette smoking, infected adenoids, sinus infection, flu and allergies are mainly responsible for Otitis media. Two procedures can be used to treat severe cases of Otitis media such as Ear tubes and Adenoid removal. Adenoid removal procedure includes adenoids of the ear to be surgically removed if they are infected or enlarged.

Many people opt for home remedies to reduce the pain caused by Otitis media. This includes, putting a moist and warm washcloth on the ear, buying OTC (Over the counter) ear drops or taking pain relievers. Otitis media is diagnosed by an ENT specialist by using an otoscope to examine your ear. Tympanometry is a test where an instrument is placed in your ear to measure pressure and see if the eardrum is ruptured. This test is performed for diagnosing Otitis media. Other tests such as reflectometry and hearing test can also be performed by the doctor. After the diagnoses of Otitis media, adenoids removal surgery can be suggested.

Adenoids are glands placed in the roof of our mouth just behind the soft palate. If these glands get enlarged or infected, it can not only cause Otitis media, but can also be responsible for tonsillitis. In such cases, adenoid removal surgery is extremely beneficial. This procedure is also known as adenoidectomy. This surgery is performed under general anesthesia and can be done in an outpatient unit. The surgeon will insert a tiny instrument into your mouth to hold it open, then the adenoids are removed by cauterizing (sealing with a hot device) or by making small incisions. After removing it, a gauze is used to control the bleeding. Stitches are not required in this type of procedure. You can either go home on the day of the procedure after the anesthesia wears off or stay an additional day in the hospital.

There are no serious side effects after the adenoidectomy. You can experience pain, swelling and mild discomfort for a week or two after the procedure. However, there can be certain risks such as infection and bleeding. Certain risks associated with general anesthesia include breathing problems and allergic reactions.

It usually takes one to two weeks to fully recover from the procedure. Right after the surgery, you might feel discomfort, swelling and pain in your throat. This is normal and will go away on the same day. You can also be given painkillers to help subside the pain.

The price of adenoidectomy surgery in India ranges from Rs. 1,30,000 to Rs. 4,00,000.

The results of adenoidectomy is permanent. However, if Otitis media is caused by factors other than enlarged adenoid glands, then symptoms of Otitis media can reoccur if care is not taken. Adenoidectomy is very successful and has beneficial after effects. After this procedure you can notice fewer than usual throat infections, lesser ear infections and easier breathing through the nostrils. Otitis media can be prevented by reducing the occurrence of respiratory infections like colds, avoiding cigarette smoking, getting pneumococcal vaccinations, etc. Prevention of Otitis media in infants include, breastfeeding them instead of giving them bottled milk, avoiding the use of a pacifier by your infant, etc.