What is bilateral otitis media with effusion?

What is bilateral otitis media with effusion?

What is otitis media with effusion (OME)? Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a collection of non-infected fluid in the middle ear space. It is also called serous or secretory otitis media (SOM). This fluid may accumulate in the middle ear as a result of a cold, sore throat or upper respiratory infection.

Is otitis media unilateral or bilateral?

Abstract. Objective: Bilateral acute otitis media (AOM) is considered more severe than unilateral AOM, and several guidelines recommend more active treatment and/or follow-up of bilateral AOM.

What is otitis media bilateral?

Otitis media is inflammation or infection located in the middle ear. Otitis media can occur as a result of a cold, sore throat, or respiratory infection.

What causes otitis media with effusion?

What Are Otitis Media With Effusion Causes? Otitis media with effusion is primarily caused by dysfunction of the eustachian tubes, the pathways that connect your throat to the middle ear regions. The tubes also stabilize the pressure between your middle ear and the air.

How do you get rid of otitis media with effusion?

A warm, moist cloth placed over the ear may also help. Usually the fluid goes away in 2 to 3 months, and hearing returns to normal. Your doctor may want to check your child again at some point to see if fluid is still present. If it is, he or she may give your child antibiotics.

How do you treat otitis media with effusion?

You can give your child an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, (one brand: Children’s Tylenol) if he or she is uncomfortable. A warm, moist cloth placed over the ear may also help. Usually the fluid goes away in 2 to 3 months, and hearing returns to normal.

How do you treat otitis media with effusion in adults?

A middle ear infection may be treated with:

  1. Antibiotics, taken by mouth or as ear drops.
  2. Medication for pain.
  3. Decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal steroids.
  4. For chronic otitis media with effusion, an ear tube (tympanostomy tube) may help (see below)

What is the difference between otitis media and otitis media with effusion?

Otitis media with effusion (OME) and acute otitis media (AOM) are two main types of otitis media (OM). OME describes the symptoms of middle ear effusion (MEE) without infection, and AOM is an acute infection of the middle ear and caused by bacteria in about 70% of cases (1).

How long does otitis media with effusion last in adults?

In the majority of cases, OME resolves without treatment within 12 weeks. In a small percentage of cases, the effusion persists and requires additional intervention, such as pressure equalization tubes.