OUTLINE:-
INTRODUCTION || TREATMENT || RECOVERY || TAKE AWAY
INTRODUCTION:-
The only sense organ that resonates with the blissful music around us is our ear.
Well, for none of us can afford a foe coming it’s way — here’s a caution to one such most commonly affected scenario — It is an EAR INFECTION.
About 75% of children and a moderate number of teenagers, adults, and older people encounter ear infections every year.
An ear infection is generally found in two regions of the ear which is why they are classified into 2 types:-
– Outer ear infection:-
The outer ear is a region starting from the pinna to the eardrum.
So, the outer ear infection means any infection from the outer ear canal.
– Middle ear infection:-
It is an infection in the region that comes right after the eardrum on the inside of the ear. This is a condition where a bacteria or virus sometimes colonizes behind the eardrum leading to the formation of pus.
These bacteria and viruses tend to feed on the cells of the eardrum thereby puncturing tiny holes into it.
TREATMENT:-
EAR DROPS –
Ear drops are the most effective method of treating ear infections since the medicine directly acts on the infected region and gives instant relief.
One of the best ear drops available in the market is —
(1) OFLOXACIN OTIC SOLUTION
This ear drop is used to treat infections in the outer ear (otitis externa) as well as the middle ear (otitis media).
How does it work?
The ofloxacin otic solution ear drop is administered into the ear. This solution reaches the eardrum and cures the outer infection.
Likewise, in the case of a middle ear infection, the medicines enter the inside of the ear through the holes of the eardrum caused as a result of the infection.
On entering the inner ear, the 0.3% ofloxacin present in the medicine prevents the growing bacteria and halts the severity of the infection. Thus, simultaneously reducing the pain, which is why it also acts as a pain killer.
Recommended dosage—
2 drops
3 times a day
Side effects of Ofloxacin:-
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Effects on the kidney, heart, and lungs in case of any previous transplantations
- Swelling
- Stiffness of muscles
- Numbness of hands and legs
(2) CIPROFLOXACIN-DEXAMETHASONE OTIC SOLUTION
This ear drop is used to treat infections in the outer ear (otitis external) as well as the middle ear which is on the inside of the ear (otitis media).
The ciprodex optic solution is a combination of two components, namely— ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone.
Here, ciprofloxacin is the major component that solely treats bacterial infections of the middle ear only. It also has an antibiotic property due to the presence of quinolone in it.
How does it work?
This antibiotic attacks the bacterial antigen by releasing chemicals. The action of these chemicals can cause hypersensitive side effects like inflammation, redness, and other health-related allergies which can be mild to severe and sometimes even life-threatening.
This is when dexamethasone comes to the rescue as it suppresses all of these allergic side effects.
It acts as a corticosteroid which is nothing but a steroid of the hormone cortisone which can either be naturally obtained from humans or can be manufactured in the labs.
Here, during manufacturing, dexamethasone is used in combination with ciprofloxacin to suppress the side effects like inflammation and redness caused by the antibiotic action of ciprofloxacin on the bacteria.
This is how both ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone work hand in hand.
Recommended Dosage—
2 drops
3 times a day
Side effects of ciprofloxacin:-
1) Rashes on the skin
3) Fatigue
4) Swelling of face, lips, tongue
5) Discomfort in the ear
6) Accumulation of pus and dirt in ear cavity
7) Increase in blood pressure
(3) ACETIC ACID OTIC SOLUTION
The acetic acid otic solution is used in cases where the outer ear or middle ear infections have become resistant and are not responding top conventional drugs.
How does it work?
The main mechanism is that it changes the pH of the ear.
Changing the pH of the ear makes the environment for the bacteria/virus unfavorable for survival and growth.
It also helps to eradicate wetness from the ear, which is why the acetic acid otic solution has drying agents like glycerin or alcohol that help to maintain a dry condition inside the ear cavity, and thus prevent infection.
Recommended Dosage—
2-3 drops
3-4 times a day
Side effects:-
1) Burning sensation of the ear
2) Redness
3) Swelling of ears
4) Allergic itching
5) Fatigue
6) Swelling of throat, face, and tongue
RECOVERY:-
The above-mentioned ear drops are very effective and they act the best when accompanied by respective oral antibiotics for ear infections.
Therefore, the recovery period for using this ear drop is about a minimum of 2-6days and a maximum of 6 weeks in severe cases.
They are known to give instant relief and also prevent chronic infections.
But, never skip any doses as it can worsen the infection.
They are cost-effective and are easily affordable.
TAKE AWAY:-
Be it infants, teenagers, adults, or older people, everybody is recommended to take necessary precautions to prevent ear infections.
The takeaway from this article is that A healthy body makes a healthy life.
THANK YOU
MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER:
This blog including information, content, references, and opinions is for informational purposes only.
The Author does not provide any medical advice on this platform.
Viewing, accessing, or reading this blog does not establish any doctor-patient relationship.
The information provided in this blog does not replace the services and opinions of a qualified medical professional who examines you and then prescribes medicines.
And if you have any questions of medical nature, please refer to your doctor or the qualified medical personnel for evaluation and management at a clinic/hospital near you.
The content provided in this blog represents the Author’s own interpretation of research articles.