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Your child has an ear ache. After your
first visit to a physician you may hear some of the following terms related to
the diagnosis and treatment of this common childhood disorder.
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Acute otitis media - the medical term for
the common ear infection. Otitis refers to an ear inflammation, and media
means middle. Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, which is
located behind the eardrum. This diagnosis includes fluid effusion trapped in
the middle ear.
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Adenoidectomy – removal of the adenoids,
also called pharyngeal tonsils. Some believe their removal helps prevent ear
infections.
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Amoxicillin - a semi-synthetic penicillin
antibiotic often used as the first-line medical treatment for acute otitis
media or otitis media with effusion. A higher dosage may be recommended for a
second treatment.
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Analgesia – immediate pain relief. For an
earache, it may be provided by acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and auralgan.
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Antibiotic - a soluble substance derived
from a mold or bacterium that inhibits the growth of other bacterial
micro-organisms.
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Antibiotic resistance – a condition where
micro-organisms continue to multiply although exposed to antibiotic agents,
often because the bacteria has become immune to the medication. Overuse or
inappropriate use of antibiotics leads to antibiotic
resistance.
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Audiometer - an electronic device used in
measuring hearing for pure tones of frequencies, generally varying from
125–8000 Hz, and speech (recorded in terms of
decibels).
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Azithromyacin – an antibiotic prescribed
for acute otitis media due to Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus
pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Also known by its brand name,
Zithromax®.
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Bacteria – organisms responsible for
about 70 percent of otitis media cases. The most common bacterial offenders
are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella
catarrhalis.
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Chronic otitis media – when infection of
the middle ear persists, leading to possible ongoing damage to the middle ear
and eardrum.
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Decibel – one tenth of a bel, the unit of
measure expressing the relative intensity of a sound. The results of a hearing
test are often expressed in decibels.
- Effusion – a collection of fluid
generally containing a bacterial culture.
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First-line agent – The first treatment of
antibiotics prescribed for an ear infection, often amoxicillin.
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Myringotomy – an incision made into the
ear drum.
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Otitis media without effusion - an
inflammation of the eardrum without fluid in the middle ear.
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Otitis media with effusion - the presence
of fluid in the middle ear without signs or symptoms of ear infection. It is
sometimes called serous otitis media. This condition does not usually require
antibiotic treatment.
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Otitis media with perforation - a
spontaneous rupture or tear in the eardrum as a result of infection. The hole
in the ear drum usually repairs itself within several
weeks.
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Otolama –
a
myringotomy performed with computer-driven laser technology (rather than
manual incision with a conventional scalpel).
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Pneumatic otoscopy - a test administered
for the middle ear consisting of an inspection of the ear with a device
capable of varying air pressure against the eardrum. If the tympanic membrane
moves during the test, normal middle ear function is indicated. A lack of
movement indicates either increased impedance, as with fluid in the middle
ear, or perforation of the tympanic membrane.
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Recurrent otitis media – when the patient
incurs three infections in three months, four in six months, or six in 12
months. This is often an indicator that a tympanostomy with tubes might be
recommended.
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Second line treatment – antibiotics
prescribed when the first line of treatment fails to resolve symptoms after 48
hours.
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Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole – an
alternative first line treatment for children allergic to amoxicillin.
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Tympanostomy tubes – small tubes inserted
in the eardrum to allow drainage of infection.
Do not hesitate to
seek clarification from your physician if he or she uses a term that you do not
fully understand.
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