Ideal Pharmacy

Ideal Pharmacy Healthy Living, Dementia-friendly Pharmacy situated in Warmley, Gloucestershire. We are a team of fr

Otitis Media 5QuizQ1. What is otitis media?A1. An infection of the middle ear.Q2. What are the symptoms of middle ear in...
21/05/2024

Otitis Media 5

Quiz

Q1. What is otitis media?
A1. An infection of the middle ear.
Q2. What are the symptoms of middle ear infection?
A2. Earache, high temperature, being sick, lack of energy, slight hearing loss.
Q3. What are the symptoms in young children?
A3. Rubbing or pulling their ear, not reacting to sounds, irritable, off their food, keep losing their balance.
Q4. What causes middle ear infections?
A4. An infection, such as a cold, leads to a build up of mucus in the middle ear.
Q5. Why are babies and young children more susceptible to middle ear infections?
A5. Because the Eustachian tube is smaller in children and a child’s adenoids are relatively larger.
Q6. When should I get medical advice?
A6. You can call in to see our pharmacist who may be able to help and if not advise you to go to your GP.
Q7. What treatment is there for middle ear infections?
A7. Most infections clear up on their own in 2-3 days, but you can use paracetamol of ibuprofen (if suitable) to ease the pain.
Q8. What is glue ear?
A8. It is where the middle part of the ear canal fills up with fluid which can cause temporary hearing loss.
Q9. Can middle ear infections be prevented?
A9. No but you can reduce the risk of your child developing one by keeping their vaccinations up to date and if possible, feed your baby with breast milk rather than formula.
Q10. What is a perforated eardrum?
A10. It is a hole or tear in your eardrum which usually gets better on its own within two months.

Photo 222106779 | Ear © Antoniodiaz | Dreamstime.com

Otitis Media 4QuizQ1. What is otitis media?Q2. What are the symptoms of middle ear infection?Q3. What are the symptoms i...
14/05/2024

Otitis Media 4

Quiz

Q1. What is otitis media?
Q2. What are the symptoms of middle ear infection?
Q3. What are the symptoms in young children?
Q4. What causes middle ear infections?
Q5. Why are babies and young children more susceptible to middle ear infections?
Q6. When should I get medical advice?
Q7. What treatment is there for middle ear infections?
Q8. What is glue ear?
Q9. Can middle ear infections be prevented?
Q10. What is a perforated eardrum?

Photo 149404354 | Ear © Andrey Popov | Dreamstime.com

Otitis Media 3What is otitis media with effusion?This is also known as glue ear. It is a build-up of fluid deep inside t...
07/05/2024

Otitis Media 3

What is otitis media with effusion?

This is also known as glue ear. It is a build-up of fluid deep inside the ear, which commonly causes temporary hearing loss. The condition tends to be painless but sometimes the pressure of this fluid can cause earache. It will often clear up on its own, although this can take a few months. If the problem is persistent, a minor procedure to place small tubes called grommets in the ear may be recommended to help drain the fluid.

For ears to work properly the middle ear needs to be kept full of air. The air travels through the eustachian tube but if this tube is blocked, air cannot enter the middle ear. Then the cell lining in the middle ear begins to produce fluid. This runny liquid may get thicker as it fills the middle ear. With fluid blocking the middle ear, it becomes harder for sound to pass through to the inner ear, making quieter sounds difficult to hear.

To learn more about this or any other health condition that is concerning you, have a chat with one of our trained team.

Photo 191086262 | Ear Infection © Henadzi Pechan | Dreamstime.com

Otitis Media 2What causes middle ear infections?Most middle ear infections occur when an infection such as a cold, leads...
30/04/2024

Otitis Media 2

What causes middle ear infections?

Most middle ear infections occur when an infection such as a cold, leads to a build up of mucus in the middle ear. This causes the Eustachian tube (a thin tube that runs from the middle ear to the back of the nose) to become swollen or blocked. The mucus can’t drain away properly, making it easier for an infection to spread into the middle ear.

An enlarged adenoid (soft tissue at the back of the throat) can also block the Eustachian tube. The adenoid can be removed if it often causes ear infections. Middle ear infections are more common in younger children because:

• The Eustachian tube is smaller in children than in adults.
• A child’s adenoids are relatively larger than in an adult.

Certain conditions can also increase the risk of middle ear infections including, having a cleft palate or Down’s syndrome. It is not possible to prevent ear infections but there are some things you can do that may reduce your child’s risk of developing one:

Do:
• Make sure your child is up to date with their routine vaccinations - particularly pneumococcal vaccine and the DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B (6in1) vaccine.
• If possible, feed your baby breast milk rather than formula milk.

Don’t:
• Expose your child to smoky environments.
• Give your child a dummy once they are older than 12 months.
• Feed your child while they are flat on their back.

Photo 34885135 | Otitis Media © Marchibas | Dreamstime.com

Otitis Media 1What is otitis media?It is an infection of the middle ear. It causes inflammation (redness and swelling) a...
23/04/2024

Otitis Media 1

What is otitis media?

It is an infection of the middle ear. It causes inflammation (redness and swelling) and a build up of fluid behind the eardrum. Anyone can develop a middle ear infection but they’re most common in young children.
The symptoms include:
• Earache
• A high temperature
• Being sick
• A lack of energy
• Slight hearing loss - if the middle ear becomes filled with fluid.

In some cases, a hole may develop in the eardrum (perforated eardrum) and puss may run out of the ear. The earache which is caused by the build up of fluid stretching the eardrum, then resolves.
In young children and babies, the signs of an ear infection may also include:
• Rubbing or pulling at their ear
• Not reacting to some sounds
• Being irritable or restless
• Being off their food
• Keep losing their balance

Photo 54068074 | Otitis Media © Designer491 | Dreamstime.com

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Warmley

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Monday 9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 6:30pm
Thursday 9am - 6:30pm
Friday 9am - 6:30pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

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