Ear Infection Spread to Brain Symptoms; How to Avoid This Complication?

An ear infection could lead to several serious health issues, including brain abscess, so it should not be left untreated.

Ear Infection Spread To Brain Symptoms

Otitis media is an infection in the middle ear. It's a condition where pus and mucus build up behind the eardrum due to an upper respiratory infection, cold, or allergy, resulting in swelling and ear pain.

Antibiotics have significantly decreased the risk of ear infections, but there is still a risk of major neurological side effects, such as meningitis, brain abscess, facial paralysis, and hearing loss.

A brain abscess, or buildup of pus in the brain due to an infection, is the most deadly consequence of otitis media. Headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, altered awareness, and neurologic impairments are the most frequent symptoms.

Patients may experience a long-lasting, mild to severe headache in the early stages. Since there aren't many signs of the disease, people are frequently unaware of it.

The following three main syndromes are the focus of clinical symptoms when the brain abscess worsens.

Intracranial Hypertension Syndrome

A headache that is becoming worse might only hurt in the occipital region or be restricted to one side. Occasionally, the patient strikes his head with his hand. Also, one may experience mental lethargy, inertia, babble, and reluctance to engage in social interactions. Papilloedema may be present in one or both eyes; the pulse is erratic, varying in speed from time to time; vomiting; unsteady walking due to dizziness; high fever; high white blood cell count; and rapid weight loss.

Focal Neurologic Syndrome

This is typically a late-onset condition brought on by brain abscesses that cause contralateral hemiplegia, ophthalmomotor paralysis, partial or total convulsions, and aphasia.

Patients with Cerebellar Abscess

When one has a cerebral abscess or brain abscess, they may experience instability, frequent falls, hand tremors during movement, severe confusion, nausea, and difficulty swallowing.

How to Avoid Brain Abscess From Ear Infection

Some ear infections resolve without antibiotic treatment. One should see a doctor when the child suffering from an ear infection has 102.2°F (39°C) fever or higher, pus or discharge coming from the ear, worsening symptoms, symptoms lasting more than two to three days, or hearing loss.

Also, it's best to check with a doctor to know if you need an antibiotic. Evidence shows that certain children with ear infections may benefit from antibiotic treatment. However, overuse of antibiotics might lead to bacterial resistance to the medication. Thus, discussing the possible advantages and disadvantages of using antibiotics with your physician would be best.

Also, the best treatment may depend on several factors, including age and the severity of symptoms.

Other possible treatments aside from antibiotics are drops administered for chronic suppurative otitis media. In some cases, if the child has certain conditions and suffers from long-term infections or has continuous fluid buildup in the ear, doctors may recommend draining the fluid through a surgical procedure.

A myringotomy is an outpatient surgical operation in which a surgeon makes a tiny hole in the eardrum to facilitate the evacuation of fluids from the middle ear. Tympanostomy tubes are tiny tubes inserted into the orifice to aid in middle ear ventilation and stop more fluid buildup.

A portion of tubes are meant to be in situ for four to eighteen months before naturally falling out. Some tubes may require surgical removal because they are made to remain in place longer. The eardrum usually closes up again after the tube is withdrawn or falls out.

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