Ear infections are one of the most common infections that can occur in the human body, and 90% of ear infections are Otitis Media, i.e., middle ear infections, making it the most common type of ear infection. In fact, Otitis Media is the most common ear infection in all age groups.
What is Otitis Media or Middle Ear Infection?
Otitis media, also known as a middle ear infection, is a condition that affects the middle ear. It is usually a secondary infection resulting from issues related to the nose, such as the common cold or sinusitis. It sometimes can start due to an infection in the ear canal, but in rare cases, it can spread from the inner ear too.
How Does Otitis Media Develop?
The anatomy of the middle ear plays a significant role in making this infection the most common ear infection.
Anatomy of Middle Ear
The middle ear is an air-filled space behind the eardrum, housing three small bones essential for hearing. It has a cubic centimeter volume and is roughly cube-shaped, with the eardrum forming one side. Proper air pressure in the middle ear is crucial for the eardrum to function effectively. This pressure must match the air pressure outside the body for balance.
The eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, helps regulate air pressure and drain fluids. Because the eustachian tube shares a mucosal lining with the nose, issues as common as a cold can lead to infections spreading from the nose to the middle ear.
Causes of Middle Ear Infection
Nasal infections or Cold
Blowing nose forcefully with one nostril block when you have a cold
Allergy
Extra growth of tissue in the nasopharyngeal area
Sudden altitude changes
Smoking
Most Common Cause of Ear Infection
The most common cause of ear infections is the same as that of middle ear infections: the common cold. Since 90% of ear infections occur in the middle ear, and 90% of those are caused by colds, it’s clear that the common cold is the leading cause of ear infections.
As explained in the anatomy of the middle ear, the nose and eustachian tube are connected, allowing nasal infections to spread to the middle ear. However, ear infections typically develop only when a cold is left untreated. Simple home remedies, such as regular steam inhalation and nasal drops, can effectively manage colds and prevent most ear infections.
Most Common Ear Infection in Babies
Babies under six months are especially prone to otitis media due to their eustachian tube anatomy. Their smaller skulls and horizontally aligned tubes make it easier for milk to leak into the middle ear, leading to infections. This is more likely if babies sleep with milk in their mouths after feeding. To prevent ear infections, it’s important to always burp the baby, even during nighttime feeds.
To learn more about ear infections in babies, read our article
Most Common Ear Infection in Kids
In kids, adenoids are the most common cause of ear infections. Adenoids are glands located in the back of the nasal cavity. Enlarged adenoids can obstruct the eustachian tube, leading to frequent middle ear infections.
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