A tympanic effusion denotes a fluid accumulation in the ear. Here you will learn how the phenomenon develops, what symptoms exist and what helps.
What is a Paukenerguss?
In a tympanic effusion there are accumulations of fluid that are behind the eardrum in the middle ear. This can be painful and affect the hearing performance. The cause is often a common cold , which causes a ventilation disorder in the middle ear. Often the boilermaker affects children – it should be treated promptly to avoid possible consequential damage. The phenomenon can also take a chronic course.
How is a tympanum produced?
There are several possible causes of a tympanic effusion, such as pressure fluctuations as in a starting aircraft. Most commonly, however, the phenomenon is caused by a respiratory tract infection or after a middle ear infection. This not only disturbs the ventilation of the ear, it also increases mucus production. Responsible for this is the Eustachian tube (Eustachian tube): It controls the ear ventilation and also ensures that the secretion, which is formed in the middle ear mucosa, can flow away.
But this channel can be clogged with a cold because, for example, the mucosa is swollen in it. This creates a negative pressure, which in turn ensures that more mucus-producing cells arise. The increasingly produced secretion clogs the ear canal in addition. Incidentally, in children the Eustachian tube is not yet fully developed – which explains why it is much more likely to produce a tympanic duct than in adults.
Symptoms of puffing
The following complaints can occur due to the tympanic effusion:
- earache
- Reddened eardrum (pinkish and thickened in chronic course)
- dizziness
- a headache
- pressure on the ears
- Decreased hearing performance
- Ear secretion is bluish discolored or bloody
Treatment; What helps against a drumming?
If the doctor has made the diagnosis, the symptoms can be alleviated with various measures. In most cases, the tympanic effusion recovers within a few days to several weeks on its own. The following possibilities of therapy exist:
- Decongestant nose drops to improve ear ventilation
- Antibiotics (in bacterial inflammation)
- Inhalations and heat treatments
- If there is a lot of fluid, the doctor can aspirate it
Chronic drumming? A timpanel tube is the solution!
In a chronic tympanic effusion, a so-called tympanic tube can be inserted into the eardrum, which improves the ventilation of the ear. A tympanic tube is used surgically and usually falls out after about a year of its own. It is important to protect the tiny device from water – so you should wear earplugs, for example, when swimming.