Middle Ear Fluid Relief

Otitis media, or inner ear infections, are common among infants and school age children. Most often, the infection is accompanied by fluid buildup in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, causing stuffiness and pain. Reducing the amount of fluid behind the eardrum is important for two reasons: to reduce discomfort in the patient and to reduce the chance of reoccurring infection.

Diagnosis

• A medical professional can diagnose a middle ear infection by taking a full medical history and completing a physical examination, including looking into the ears with an otoscope. To check for fluid, the doctor will attach a small tube to the otoscope and gently blow a puff of air to check for eardrum turbidity (or the inability of the eardrum to move).

Treatment

• Once a diagnosis is made, several treatment options for fluid removal are available, depending on the patient's individual situation. The first treatment is to administer oral and possibly topical antibiotics. The normal course of action is to prescribe oral antibiotics to keep the fluid thin and infection-free so that it will drain out on its own, after the inflammation has decreased. This process normally occurs within 10 days, although it is possible that the stuffiness could last for a few months.
  For chronic suffers, a tympanostomy may be preformed. In this procedure, a small tube is inserted into a small incision in the eardrum to drain the fluid manually. Tubes can be left in the ears for up to several months before needing to be removed, but most usually work themselves out on their own within a few weeks.

Prevention

• Prevention is the best method for reducing fluid behind the eardrums. If you suspect an ear infection, see a doctor and get on antibiotics quickly. This will prevent fluid from building up in the ear. Make sure that you complete the medication to prevent the infection from coming back. In addition, avoid cigarette smoke as the smoke can aggravate the upper respiratory tract, causing inflammation and fluid buildup. It is also recommended that children wear ear plugs when swimming to avoid a condition known as swimmer's ear.