Treatment of otitis media in pregnancy

Pregnancy is not only a wonderful time to bear a baby, but also a period when the body's defenses are reduced, which leads to the development of various diseases and exacerbation of existing ones. Often, one has to deal with such a problem as otitis during pregnancy. Especially in cases where women have suffered from otolaryngological pathologies before.

Why is otitis dangerous during pregnancy?

The danger of this disease is that it very rarely goes away on its own. Often, without the necessary treatment, the disease progresses and develops into tubootitis, in which the inner ear and eardrum become inflamed. Fluid accumulates in the internal environment, which changes the physical characteristics of the environment, resulting in distortion or complete loss of the ability to transmit sound vibrations to the auditory ossicles. This leads to a sharp decrease or complete loss of hearing.

Also, the danger of otitis during pregnancy is that the accumulated fluid can turn into pus, resulting in the development of a purulent-septic process, which is quickly transmitted through the Eustachian tube to the nasal cavity, spreads along it and causes inflammation of the nasopharynx. As the disease progresses, the infection can penetrate the trachea, bronchi, lungs, and pleura through descending pathways. Accordingly, inflammatory diseases of these organs develop: tracheitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and even pleurisy.

It is also dangerous if the infection gets into the meninges, which can provoke an infectious and inflammatory lesion of the brain, meningitis. If the infection gets into the eyes, conjunctivitis develops.

During pregnancy, immunity is often reduced, so the risk of developing a generalized infection is quite high, especially considering that antibiotic therapy during pregnancy is used only in the most extreme cases. This can lead to the development of bacteremia, septicemia, sepsis, in which the infection from a local source of infection penetrates into the blood and other normally sterile biological fluids of the body. With the blood, the infection spreads throughout the body, can settle on other organs, forming new sources of infection, new inflammatory diseases.

The risk of intrauterine infection of the fetus, development of intrauterine infection, premature birth, stillbirth, and neonatal sepsis also increases significantly.

Medicines

During pregnancy, you should be especially careful when using any medications. During this period, it is especially important to follow all precautions: consult a doctor about the advisability of using a particular drug, carefully read the instructions before use, carefully follow all the doctor's recommendations, and do not reduce or increase the dosage and frequency of administration on your own.

Side effects during pregnancy are amplified: if previously only the mother's body was exposed to negative consequences, now the fetus's body also experiences all the negative reactions. The consequences can be unpredictable: fetal developmental abnormalities, premature birth, delayed mental and physical development, stillbirth.

The treatment complex for otitis should include: calcium chloride 10 ml of 10% solution intravenously, calcium gluconate - 10 ml of 10% solution intravenously. These agents can also be used for electrophoresis. Diphenhydramine is prescribed at 1 ml of 1% solution intramuscularly, suprastin at 1 ml of 0% solution intramuscularly, or 1 tablet twice a day, washed down with about a glass of water. To prevent fluid accumulation in the body, purulent exudate in the ear, ephedrine hydrochloride is prescribed - 1 ml of 5% solution subcutaneously.

What to put in your ear during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, ear drops are prescribed to treat otitis. There are different drops: anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, warming. Drops are prescribed by a doctor based on the results of an otoscopy. Drops do not have a systemic effect on the body, they act locally, that is, directly in the ear. This allows you to localize the infection and inflammation, prevent the progression of the disease and eliminate the symptoms. If drops are used, the ear must be kept warm. It is better to wear a special bandage on the ear. In the cold season, be sure to wear a hat.

Ear drops during pregnancy

Drops such as Aurisan will help with otitis - 2-3 drops are instilled into both ears. First, one ear is instilled, while lying on the side. Wait about 10 minutes until the drops penetrate into the deeper layers and have the necessary effect, then turn over and instill the second ear.

Levomycetin drops are used in a similar way. They are good for bacterial infections. To relieve pain, you can put naphthyzine and sanorin in your ear.

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Otipax during pregnancy

This is a medicine presented in the form of ear drops. It is prescribed for signs of otitis. It helps to eliminate pain, noise, and other unpleasant symptoms. It can be used even during pregnancy. Only a doctor can prescribe it, since it is necessary to know the exact diagnosis and be sure that there are no contraindications to its use. Otherwise, you can only aggravate the situation and intensify the inflammatory process. Treatment should be continued even if you feel better and there is no pain. The composition includes lidocaine and phenazone. The pain subsides within a few minutes after instillation into the ear. The advantage of the drug is that it does not penetrate into the blood, does not have a systemic effect, and therefore does not pose a danger to the fetus.

Despite the high efficiency of the drug, it is not without certain disadvantages. Thus, the drug cannot completely cure the disease if it is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. With this form of the disease, additional antibacterial and antiviral therapy is required. Basically, Otipax is designed for symptomatic treatment, that is, it effectively eliminates the symptoms of the disease.

Side effects from the drug occur extremely rarely. In exceptional cases, such side effects as allergic reactions, redness and swelling, irritation of the ear canal may occur. Cases of overdose are unknown. The dosage, as well as the duration of treatment, can only be determined by a doctor, since it is determined by the severity of the inflammatory process and pain syndrome, the general well-being of the patient.

The drops are quite simple and easy to use. First, you need to remove the cap from the bottle and install the dropper. Before instilling, you need to hold the bottle in your hands for a while to warm the medicine. This is very important, since a cold remedy can only worsen the condition. You should lie down, put your head on the healthy ear, and instill the medicine into the diseased ear (a few drops, depending on the doctor's instructions). Then you need to lie down for about 5-10 minutes after instilling the medicine into the ear. This will significantly speed up the penetration of the medicine into the ear. Then you need to turn your head to the other side, and if necessary, instill the medicine into the second ear in the same way.

When using the drug, you must follow several conditions. You must strictly follow the treatment regimen selected by the doctor. You cannot stop treatment after the symptoms of the disease have disappeared. Additionally, you cannot use any other drugs, especially antibiotics (without a doctor's prescription). You also cannot warm up the ear, especially if there is purulent discharge. You are allowed to go outside only in a hat, and also avoid wind, hypothermia, drafts. Also, during treatment, you must stay in bed, rest well, and eat well. This will help avoid complications and speed up recovery.

Boric alcohol during pregnancy

Boric alcohol is used for compresses. Make a small turunta from cotton wool, soak it in boric alcohol, then place it directly into the ear canal. Take gauze folded in several layers, cut out a hole for the auricle. Soak it in boric alcohol and place it on the ear area so that it covers not only the ear itself, but also the areas around it. Push the auricle itself into the hole made. Then put a layer of cellophane or waterproof oilcloth on top. After that, put a layer of cotton wool on, and put a scarf made of thin fabric on top. Put a warm woolen scarf on top of it. The compress should be kept for at least 2 hours. If the compress is applied correctly, the bottom layer of cotton wool should always remain moist.

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Antibiotics for otitis during pregnancy

Antibiotics are contraindicated during pregnancy, but may be prescribed if other drugs do not have the desired effect. Antibiotics are prescribed for severe conditions, to prevent the generalization of infection and the development of severe inflammatory diseases. In this case, the risk of complications should be much higher than the risks to the fetus from taking the drug.

Antibiotic therapy begins with penicillin drugs. Before therapy, exudate is cultured if present, and a throat and nose smear is taken to identify the pathogen. Once the pathogen has been isolated, an antibiotic sensitivity test is performed. Sodium and potassium salts of benzylpenicillin are administered intramuscularly at least 500,000 IU every 3 hours, for a total of 3,000,000 IU per day. In severe cases of the disease and its spread to other organs, particularly the nasopharynx, the drug is administered intravenously every 3-4 hours. In case of risk of blood poisoning and generalization of the infection, it is administered continuously by drip for 6-12 hours in large doses - up to 20,000,000 IU.

Streptomycin, administered in combination with penicillin, works well. The daily dose of streptomycin is up to 1,000,000 IU, intramuscularly, in 2 doses.

Reserve antibiotics include lincomycin and ristomycin. Lincomycin is prescribed orally at 0.5 grams 3 times a day, or intramuscularly at 600 mg twice a day. Ristomycin is administered intravenously, the daily dosage is 1,000,000 - 1,500,000 U. It is administered in 2 doses with an interval of 12 hours.

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Vitamins

When treating otitis, it is better to temporarily refrain from taking vitamins, since most otitis is accompanied by the development of an infectious process. For most microorganisms, vitamins act as growth factors that enhance the growth and reproduction of bacteria. An exception is vitamin C, which stimulates the human immune system and increases the ability to resist infectious diseases. Due to its antioxidant properties, it has a destructive effect on bacterial cells and inhibits their reproduction. It is recommended to take vitamin C in a double dose - 1000 mg per day.

Physiotherapy treatment

To treat otitis, warming up with thermal and light-emitting devices is used. Electrophoresis and phonophoresis with calcium preparations are also often used.

Folk remedies

In order to increase the body's resistance to infectious diseases, it is recommended to prepare a nutritious mixture. For this, you will need 1 banana, 2 figs and ginger root. Banana and fig are minced and mixed together. Separately, ginger root is cut into small cubes and added to the puree minced. Season all this with 2-3 tablespoons of honey and mix thoroughly. Eat up to 5 tablespoons per day.

For ear drops, you can prepare a light mixture that has a bactericidal and analgesic effect. To prepare, take sterile baby oil, add 2 drops of camphor and 2 drops of fir essential oil. You can drop 1-2 drops into the sore ear, and also use it for compresses.

An ointment made from hops has been used for a long time. It can be placed in the ear, and also used for compresses on the area around the ear. To prepare the ointment, take about 100 grams of butter, melt it over low heat while stirring constantly, add a tablespoon of oak bark and 3-4 pine cones. Boil until a stable coniferous aroma and light brown color are formed. After this, the product is removed from the heat, allowed to brew (until it hardens completely). Lubricate the area around the ear with the prepared product, put it in the external auditory canal.

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Herbal treatment

When treating otitis, herbs are used for ear drops and for internal use. It is recommended to use common yarrow. It is used in the form of decoctions, infusions, drops, oil for ear drops and compresses, applications to the ear area and around it. The stems, leaves, and flowers of the plant are used. To prepare a decoction, pour boiling water over it and leave it for about 30-20 minutes in a closed container. To prepare an infusion, pour vodka or alcohol and leave it for 2-3 days. Put 2-3 drops into the ear three times a day. Take a glass of decoction per day, and 2-3 drops of infusion on a piece of sugar.

Cinquefoil erecta is used in the form of a decoction, which is taken internally, and used for compresses, lotions. It is also used when the infection spreads through the Eustachian tube to the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. It relieves inflammation, treats erosions, stomatitis, and eliminates bleeding gums. Rhizomes are used to prepare the decoction.

Common oregano is used in ointments for lubricating the area around the ear, as well as for inserting into the external auditory canal. To prepare the ointment, take cocoa butter, melt it, adding a small amount of water. Boil for several minutes on low heat, adding a small amount of oregano leaves beforehand. The resulting mixture is infused for an hour.

Leuzea carthamoides is used in the form of rhizomes with roots for the preparation of decoctions and infusions. About 20 grams of rhizomes are required for 100 ml of vodka or hot water. They are poured and infused. The decoction, filled with water, is infused under a closed lid for 30-40 minutes. The infusion, filled with vodka, is infused for 2-3 days in a dark place.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are combinations of various substances of natural origin that have a therapeutic effect on the human body. These can be plant, animal, or mineral substances. But they must be taken with extreme caution, as they can have a powerful effect. Some of them are contraindicated during pregnancy. When using such drugs, precautions must be taken. And for a pregnant woman, the main precaution is a mandatory consultation with a doctor. This will avoid numerous side effects for both the mother and the fetus.

A strengthening mixture helps well in the restoration and treatment of the body. The principle of its action is that the active components included in its composition have a stimulating effect on the body. As a result, the immune system and non-specific resistance of the body are activated. The body becomes more resilient and can independently fight any infection and inflammatory processes, preventing their further progression.

To prepare, take about 100 grams of sea buckthorn, viburnum and chokeberry. Put it all through a meat grinder. Add 3-4 tablespoons of honey and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix thoroughly and let it brew for 1-2 hours. Take 4 tablespoons a day.

Another effective remedy is ground eggshells in a coffee grinder. They are the richest source of calcium, phosphorus, and other microelements. Before use, take half a tablespoon of dry powder and pour lemon juice over it. A neutralization reaction will occur, during which all harmful substances will be deactivated and only active components will remain. This remedy reduces allergic reactions and quickly relieves inflammation.

A herbal mumiyo decoction has proven itself well. To prepare it, take anti-inflammatory herbs - chamomile, calendula and mint. Mix together in equal parts. Pour 500 ml of water, bring to a boil and set aside. Let it stand for 10-15 minutes, then dissolve the mumiyo in this decoction. The amount depends on body weight and individual characteristics of the body. Drink half a glass in the morning and evening.

Aloe juice squeezed from a leaf is used for ear drops. Drop 2-3 drops into the ear several times a day. Helps relieve inflammation and heal wounds, if any.

Surgical treatment

Treatment is mainly conservative. Surgical methods are used if complications have developed in the form of tubootitis, in which pus and fluid accumulate in the inner ear. This leads to hearing loss and the risk of infection penetrating the membranes of the brain. During the operation, a tamponade is performed - the ear is punctured, fluid and accumulated exudate are removed from it.