General measures
- Possibly heat on the ear can do good, for example by an infrared lamp
- Observance of the general hygiene measures!
- In the occurrence of fever:
- Bed rest and physical rest (even with only a slight fever).
- Fever below 38.5 °C does not necessarily need to be treated! (Exceptions: Children prone to febrile convulsions; old, weakened people; patients with a weakened immune system).
- In case of fever from 39 ° C calf compresses can help to reduce the temperature, which often leads to an improvement in the condition.
- After the fever still a fever-free day of rest, if necessary longer (mainly bed rest and stay indoors).
- Nicotine restriction (refrain from tobacco use) including passive smoking.
- Alcohol restriction (abstaining from alcohol)
Operative therapy
- Paracentesis:If a middle ear infection does not heal properly or keeps recurring, fluid may build up in the middle ear. This effusion in the tympanic cavity may cause decreased hearing. If this hearing loss persists over a long period of time, it can have a negative impact on language acquisition in young children. In addition, recurrent (reoccurring) effusions often lead to chronic middle ear infections in adulthood.Paracentesis (a small incision in the eardrum) can be used to drain the effusion fluid so that the middle ear is better ventilated again.
- In chronic recurrent effusions insertion of so-called tympanostomy tubes; this keeps the eardrum open to the outside and ventilated.
Vaccinations
The following vaccinations are advised:
- Flu vaccination
- Pneumococcal vaccination
Regular checkups
- Regular medical checkups
Nutritional medicine
- Adherence to the following specific nutritional recommendations during illness:
- Sufficient fluid intake! Since during the course of a febrile illness there is a strong loss of fluids, fluid intake in adults with kidney and heart health should be according to the following rule of thumb: for each degree of body temperature above 37 °C, an additional 0.5-1 liters per °C. Teas are best suited.
- In febrile illnesses, a light full diet is recommended. Within the framework of this diet, the following foods and preparation methods should be avoided, as experience has shown that they often cause discomfort:
- Voluminous and fatty meals
- Legumes and vegetables such as white cabbage, kale, peppers, sauerkraut, leeks, onions, savoy cabbage, mushrooms.
- Raw stone and pome fruit
- Fresh bread, wholemeal bread
- Hard boiled eggs
- Carbonated drinks
- Fried, breaded, smoked, very spicy or very sweet foods.
- Too cold or too hot food
- Due to the fever, there may be a deficiency of vitamin C. In addition, vitamin C is important for the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin C are vegetables such as spinach and fruits (oranges, strawberries, kiwis, currants), which are also well tolerated during an infection.
- After recovery, if necessary, nutritional counseling based on a nutritional analysis.
- Selection of appropriate food based on the nutritional analysis
- See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
- Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.
Complementary treatment methods
- Nasal balloon – method of ventilation of the tympanic cavity by means of an otovent balloon; recommended, among other things, in the guideline “Seromukotympanum” of the German Society of Otolaryngology.
