{"id":5920,"date":"2019-04-22T03:56:26","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T03:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5920"},"modified":"2021-03-31T17:55:20","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T17:55:20","slug":"14-risk-factors-of-otitis-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-risk-factors-of-otitis-media\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Risk Factors of Otitis Media"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A middle ear infection, (otitis media,) occurs due to a bacterial or viral infection of the space behind the eardrums housing the three small bones that transmit soundwaves to the inner ear for interpretation by the brain. People affected by this disorder experience a buildup of fluid in the middle ear that eventually turns to puss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the infection progresses, the patient starts to notice a feeling of pain and throbbing occurring inside the ear. The discomfort continues over the course of 24-hours, and the infected individual may find that they start to experience sensations of vertigo and a loss of balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors don\u2019t like to administer antibiotic medications for the condition unless it\u2019s the bacterial type \u2013 which requires drugs to clear the infection. Most cases of viral otitis media will tend to resolve on their own, without medical intervention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certain risk factors make some people more likely to develop a middle ear infection. Take note if you fall into any of the risk groups mentioned below.
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1.    Being Young<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Otitis media infection <\/a>is most common in infants and young children. As they age, the chances of developing a middle ear infection start to diminish to normal risk levels. This fact does not mean that adults cannot catch a middle ear infection; it’s that their risk of developing the condition is less than that of a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infants and young children are still in the process of developing their immune system, making them more predisposed to incurring any infection. The immune system is responsible for identifying invading pathogens and producing antibodies, as well as white blood cells, for fighting off the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, young people and infants cannot rely on a robust immune response to any infectious [pathogen, and the chances are that if there is a risk of exposure, they will catch the pathogen. Children come into contact with viruses and bacteria that cause otitis media at their nursery school, on play dates with friends, or at social functions with other kids.
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2.    Family History and Race<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Genetics<\/a> play a significant role in developing the risk profile for otitis media infection. Studies show that those groups most at risk of developing otitis media infection are Native Americans and the Inuit people. These communities have elements of their society that make them more predisposed to otitis media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your family history also plays a part in determining your risk profile for a middle ear infection. If your siblings or parents have problems with a frequent ear infection, it may be due to some genetic abnormality that makes them prone to disease. As a result, you may also be at risk of frequent bouts of otitis media as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with a family history of otitis media or reside in Native American or Inuit communities may want to consider vaccination against pneumococcal infections to prevent otitis infection from occurring. Contrary to what you may have heard or seen on YouTube, vaccines are a safe and efficient means of protecting yourself and your family against infectious disease.
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3.    Seasonal Changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The chances are that the people at your office know about the \u201cflu season.\u201d We attribute the changes in the seasons to the development of flu and other viral infections. Periods of the year where you\u2019re more likely to develop a cold \u2013 or a case of otitis media, are in the change from fall to winter and winter to spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacteria <\/a>and viruses are more active at these times of the year, and people are also more prone to infection due to their body dealing with the seasonal changes as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid bacterial and viral infections this coming spring by visiting your doctor for vaccination against pneumococcal diseases. These vaccinations protect you against numerous strains of bacterial disease \u2013 which is responsible for nearly 80-percent of all middle ear infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the change in seasons rolls around, make sure you pay better attention to your hygiene, and remember to wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially after coming in contact with others, or before eating a meal.
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4.    Weak Immune Function<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The immune system<\/a> is the only thing keeping us from being over-run by disease. When the brain notices an invading pathogen \u2013 such as bacteria or viruses that cause a middle ear infection, it signals the immune system to create white blood cells and antibodies to kill the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time the hypothalamus orders the creation of pyrogens \u2013 enzymes that increase the body’s setpoint temperature. The pyrogens attach to the nerve endings in the body, turning up the heat to kill the bacteria or virus responsible for the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, people with a weakened immune function may not be able to muster an effective immune response, resulting in a severe otitis media infection. As a result, they cannot fight off the disease and require medical assistance with antibiotics to recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment may risk a diminished immune system, as well as people suffering from an autoimmune disease \u2013 a condition where the body mistakenly attacks healthy cells thinking that they are pathogens.
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5.    Allergies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People with allergies <\/a>are also at higher risk of developing a middle ear infection. When an allergy attack strikes, it may cause fluid to build up inside the space behind the eardrum. This fluid may turn septic, resulting in the formation of pus and the onset of otitis media in the affected individual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergic responses vary in their degree of severity, with some people experiencing severe anaphylactic shock if they come in contact with allergens. For the most part, allergies, such as hay fever, only cause mild symptoms of a runny nose, inflamed sinus, and mild respiratory issues \u2013 such as coughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, should the allergies become severe, the patient risks infection of the middle ear as fluid builds up in this region. Anti-histamine medication may help to relieve symptoms and dry up the mucus, but by this stage, it\u2019s possible that the infection has already set in, leaving the person with symptoms of earache, low-grade fever and congestion.
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6.    Day Care Facilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many new parents send their child off to nursery school every morning without giving it a second thought. While our kids learn social skills at preschool, which is a vital part of growing up, they are also playing in a hotbed of viral and bacterial contamination<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned previously, kids are still in the process of developing their immune systems. Therefore, they are at high risk of catching diseases and infections. If you\u2019ve ever experienced pinkeye infection \u2013 where your eye turns red and weeps pus, then the chances are that your child, or a friend\u2019s child, brought the highly infectious disease home from preschool and spread it through the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other common infections that come from preschools include chickenpox \u2013 and middle ear infections. Kids play with each other, and they often come in contact with each other\u2019s saliva \u2013 which is a highway for bacteria and viruses to spread. The kids bring it home, infect the parents, and then the parents spread it through the adult community.
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7.    Crowded Living or Working Environments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In today\u2019s modern, fast-paced society, people spend more time in offices at work than at any other point in history. We also work and live in close quarters with our colleagues \u2013 exposing us to their germs <\/a>daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The air-conditioning systems in offices are primarily responsible for spreading disease. Many industrial air-con units that service office buildings do not have a UV filter that kills bacteria. Therefore, if one person in the office is suffering from a bacterial or viral infection, they may unintentionally spread it to everyone else in the office through the air-conditioning system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s for this reason that managers tell their employees to stay home, rather than come to work with an infection \u2013 as it puts the entire office at risk and could hurt the function of the company if a bacterial or viral outbreak occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bacteria and viruses that cause otitis media may not spread through the air-con, but other pathogens that lead to the development of otitis media \u2013 such as influenza, may float around in the air infecting the office staff.
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8.    Tobacco and Toxin Exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People that smoke cigarettes are also part of the high-risk group for developing otitis media infection. Cigarettes <\/a>contain over 7,000-harmful chemicals, including benzene and carbon monoxide to name a few. As a result, over 480,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related illnesses. Many of the chemicals in tobacco smoke remain unstudied due to pressure on the scientific community by tobacco lobbyists \u2013 meaning that smokers have no idea of the toxins they are inhaling into their lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoking increases your risk of contracting the bacteria that causes bronchitis, and many smokers experience bouts of chronic bronchitis from time to time, which may last for three to six months or longer. During this infection, they are at high risk of developing a middle ear infection as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infection of the throat due to bronchitis may spread to the Eustachian tubes, creating a blockage that traps fluids in the middle ear, leading to otitis media infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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