Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Is this otitis media with effusion? I have attached pictures. I have had symptoms for 1.5 weeks now. It seems to be slowly getting better, but I am unsure if there is any treatment for this or if it just has to be waited out. I have no pain.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Yes, the otoscopic images (the attachments have been removed to protect the patient's privacy) that you shared are those of otitis media with effusion. Yes, you are right; it will resolve over a period of 1.5 to 3 weeks, provided you do not have a stuffy nose, and you are not in the habit of nose-blowing. Some recommendations to speed up the recovery process would be : 1) Chewing gum would facilitate the opening and closing of your eustachian tubes (that connect the back of your nose to the ear), thereby equalizing the pressure as well as improving drainage of the fluid. 2) Balloon exercises in which one has to repeatedly blow a balloon would also help. However, if you have a stuffy nose or throat infection, that would need to be addressed.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you. There is no acute infection, so no antibiotics are needed, correct?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
That is correct. There is no role of antibiotics in otitis Media with effusion (OME). If you do have a stuffy nose, you may use nasal decongestant drops topically in the nose, three drops in each nostril on both sides twice a day for 3 to 5 days.
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Answered by Education: MBBS Professional Bio: Dr. Ranjit Peter has 26 years of clinical experience. He did his MBBS and DLO from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal in 1997 and 2000, respectively. He is qualified with an MS in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, and DNB in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology from the National Board of Examinations, New Delhi, India. He completed training in Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery of the Cranial Base and Pituitary Fossa in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. He is well versed with all Basic and Advanced Surgical Procedures in the ENT - Head and Neck Surgery Specialty with a particular interest in Endoscopic Ear Surgeries, Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Endoscopic Anterior Skull Base Surgeries. He is proficient in the Head and Neck Surgeries, including Obstructive Sleep Apnea Correction Procedures. Dr. Ranjit Peter has worked as an Assistant Professor in the ENT Department, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore, India before joining the Government of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei in the ORL Department of the tertiary Care Hospital, RIPAS, Ministry of Health, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. Later, he worked as a Consultant and Head of the E.N.T. Department at Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital, Kochi. Currently, Dr. Ranjit Peter holds the post of Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of ENT – Head and Neck Surgery, Kinder Multispecialty Hospital, Kochi, India. He is also a Visiting Senior Consultant Surgeon at Mandalar Hospital, Mandalay, Myanmar. He updates his knowledge and surgical skills by regularly attending International Conferences and Surgical Workshops. He has several Scientific Publications in International Journals and has also contributed to a Chapter in a Medical Textbook. He has delivered several Guest Lectures and Academic Presentations at Continuing Medical Education Programs and is well-versed in Evidence-Based Medicine. This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore. Dr. Ranjit Peter
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Dr. Ranjit Peter
Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
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