Otitis media with effusion

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Otitis media with effusion

Otitis media with effusion is fluid in the space behind the eardrum (middle ear). This condition occurs when a blockage of the tube that connects the throat and middle ear (eustachian tube) prevents fluid from draining normally out of the middle ear space and prevents air from entering the middle ear.

Fluid in the middle ear may:

Cause sounds to be muffled.
Cause mild discomfort. The pain usually increases with changes in atmospheric pressure, such as increasing cabin pressure when an airplane is coming down to land.
Create an environment for the growth of viruses or bacteria, which may cause infection. However, fluid in the middle ear does not always mean that an infection is present.

The body usually reabsorbs the fluid behind the eardrum within weeks. As the fluid is reabsorbed, hearing gradually returns to normal. If fluid is still present in the middle ear after a few months, or is accompanied by prolonged fever and other symptoms, antibiotic treatment may be necessary.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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