Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear) |
- Ear pain, often worsened by pulling on the outer ear
- Itching and fullness in the ear
- Discharge from the ear (may be purulent)
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- Clinical examination (otoscopy reveals inflammation and debris in the ear canal)
- Swab for culture if discharge is present
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- Topical antibiotic ear drops (e.g., ciprofloxacin)
- Topical corticosteroids for inflammation
- Ear cleaning (aural toilet) by a healthcare professional
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Acute Otitis Media (AOM) |
- Severe ear pain (often in children)
- Fever, irritability, reduced hearing
- Red, bulging tympanic membrane on otoscopy
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- Clinical examination (otoscopy shows bulging and inflamed tympanic membrane)
- Possible tympanometry in chronic or recurrent cases
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- Oral antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin for bacterial causes)
- Pain relief with NSAIDs or acetaminophen
- Observation in mild cases (watchful waiting)
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Chronic Otitis Media |
- Recurrent ear pain and discharge
- Hearing loss, possible tympanic membrane perforation
- Possible foul-smelling discharge (cholesteatoma)
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- Clinical examination (otoscopy shows perforation or cholesteatoma)
- CT scan in suspected cholesteatoma
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- Topical antibiotic ear drops
- Surgery (e.g., tympanoplasty or mastoidectomy) in severe or complicated cases
- Regular follow-up to prevent complications
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Eustachian Tube Dysfunction |
- Ear pain, feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
- Difficulty equalizing ear pressure (e.g., during flights)
- Muffled hearing
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- Clinical examination (retracted or dull tympanic membrane on otoscopy)
- Tympanometry to assess middle ear pressure
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- Decongestants or nasal corticosteroids
- Valsalva maneuver to equalize pressure
- Referral for myringotomy with tube insertion in chronic cases
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Mastoiditis |
- Severe ear pain, swelling, and tenderness behind the ear
- Fever, headache, discharge from the ear
- Redness and protrusion of the auricle
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- Clinical examination (redness, swelling behind the ear)
- CT scan of the mastoid for diagnosis
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- IV antibiotics (e.g., ceftriaxone)
- Mastoidectomy if abscess formation or lack of response to antibiotics
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Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction |
- Ear pain, worse with chewing or jaw movement
- Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw
- Tenderness over the TMJ on palpation
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- Clinical examination (tenderness over TMJ, limited jaw movement)
- X-ray or MRI in chronic cases to assess the TMJ joint
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- NSAIDs for pain relief
- Jaw exercises, bite splints
- Referral to a dentist or TMJ specialist if persistent
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Foreign Body in Ear |
- Sudden ear pain, especially in children
- Hearing loss, bleeding or discharge from the ear
- Irritation or fullness in the ear
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- Direct visualization with otoscopy
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- Careful removal with appropriate instruments
- Topical antibiotics if ear canal is inflamed or infected
- Avoid flushing the ear if the object is organic (e.g., seeds) to prevent swelling
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Barotrauma |
- Ear pain during altitude changes (e.g., flying, scuba diving)
- Ear fullness, hearing loss, or tinnitus
- Possible tympanic membrane rupture with bleeding
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- Clinical examination (otoscopy may show tympanic membrane perforation)
- Tympanometry to assess middle ear pressure
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- Decongestants or nasal corticosteroids
- Valsalva maneuver to equalize pressure
- Observation for tympanic membrane healing in cases of rupture
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Herpes Zoster Oticus (Ramsay Hunt Syndrome) |
- Severe ear pain, vesicular rash around the ear
- Facial weakness (involvement of cranial nerve VII)
- Hearing loss, vertigo in some cases
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- Clinical diagnosis based on rash and symptoms
- MRI in severe cases to rule out other causes of facial nerve palsy
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- Antiviral therapy (e.g., acyclovir) and corticosteroids
- Pain relief with NSAIDs or opioids in severe cases
- Physical therapy for facial nerve rehabilitation
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