Otitis Media

There are several types of hearing loss. Sometimes it's temporary, caused by fluid in the ear or a blockage. Or it can be permanent, the result of ear damage from loud noises, aging, an infectious disease, or another cause. You may not be able to hear anything other than ringing in the ear, or you may still notice muffled sounds. People can be born with hearing loss, but it can happen at any time to one or both ears. Ear infections, which are very common in children, can cause hearing loss, but it's usually temporary. Read on to learn more about hearing loss due to an ear infection and how to treat and prevent ear infections. Ivan-balvan / Getty Images Hearing Loss and Ear Infections Approximately 3 out of 4 children will have at least one ear infection before age 3. Ear infections also occur in adults but much less frequently. Ear infections can cause muffled or impaired hearing. This is almost always temporary; normal hearing w...

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection among people of childbearing age. In the United States, as many as 21.2 million women aged 14–49 have bacterial vaginosis (BV). This equates to almost a third of people in this range. Many people may have no symptoms, while others may mistake their symptoms for another infection, such as a yeast infection. The most common symptom of BV is an odor coming from the vagina. Some people also experience itching, burning, or an unusual gray discharge. Antibiotics can treat most cases of BV. However, some people may prefer to try home remedies first. This article explores home remedies for preventing and treating bacterial vaginosis. The exact cause of BV is not known, but it is more common in sexually active people. The vagina is home to a complex colony of organisms that maintain vaginal health and chemical pH. When vaginal pH or bacteria change, the vagina is more vulnerable to infections, including BV. Sexual practices that disrupt...

Skull base osteomyelitis is an inflammatory process that usually occurs secondary to necrotizing otitis externa or chronic mastoid infections. The involvement of the external auditory canal is typical of this condition and aids in its diagnosis. The treatment of skull base osteomyelitis is often complex and involves long-term intravenous antibiotics. Skull base osteomyelitis originating from the middle ear is a rare entity. We report a case of skull base osteomyelitis originating from the bilateral otitis media. Introduction Lateral skull base osteomyelitis (SBO), otherwise known as necrotizing otitis externa (NOE), is a severe invasive infection of the external auditory canal, temporomandibular joint, and skull base, which occurs by spread from the external ear canal through the fissures of Santorini and the osseocartilaginous junction. Diagnosis of NOE is based on history, physical examination, inflammatory markers, and radiological studies. Elevated C-reactive protein (C...

1 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; 2 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China Correspondence: Yongxuan Hu, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, 183 West Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China, Tel + 86 20 62784560, Email [email protected] Abstract: Cutaneous fungal infections are common in humans and are associated with significant physical and psychological distress to patients. Although conventional topical and/or oral anti-fungal medications are commonly recommended treatments, drug resistance has emerged as a significant concern in this patient population, and safer, more efficacious, and cost-effective alternatives are warranted. Recent studies have reported effectiveness of photodynamic therapy ...

In some cases, COVID-19 can lead to ear infections. People may get ear infections following infection or as a complication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Middle ear infections are common in children , but adults can also get them. They often follow another infection, such as an upper respiratory infection, and occur when fluid builds up behind the middle ear, causing pain and inflammation. While it can cause symptoms in the middle ear, COVID-19 may also affect the inner ear. The inner ear affects balance, so people with this symptom may experience dizziness, a feeling of being off-balance, or ringing in the ears. Despite the data linking ear infections and COVID-19, some research suggests that the overall rate of ear infections may have declined during the height of the pandemic, especially in children. This is because isolation and social distancing meant less exposure to pathogens that might cause ear infections. However, this data does not mean that SARS-CoV-2 caus...

People with recurring ear infections may need ear tubes, which are small tubes that allow air into the middle ear. Doctors may recommend tubes if a person has three infections requiring antibiotics within 6 months. Additionally, doctors may recommend the tubes if an individual has ongoing ear infections with fluid buildup that each last at least 3 months. People may also need them if they have four infections requiring antibiotic treatment within 12 months. Ear tube insertion is a minor procedure that is relatively common. In the United States, ear tube insertion is the most common outpatient surgery doctors perform on children. Read more to learn about why and when a person needs ear tubes, the risks involved, and what to expect. Ear tubes are small tubes made of metal, plastic, or other materials. An otolaryngologist — an ear, nose, and throat surgeon — inserts them through an eardrum. The tubes allow fluid to drain from the middle ear. They are also called: tympanostomy tubes press...