What is the primary cause of pain and fluid accumulation in the middle ear?

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The primary cause of pain and fluid accumulation in the middle ear is otitis media. This condition typically arises from an infection or inflammation of the middle ear space, often resulting from upper respiratory infections or eustachian tube dysfunction. When the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, becomes obstructed or does not function properly, it can trap fluid in the middle ear, leading to pain, pressure, and sometimes fever.

In addition to these symptoms, the accumulation of fluid can also lead to complications if left untreated, such as hearing loss or the potential for more severe infections. Otitis media can present in various forms, including acute otitis media, which is characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms, and otitis media with effusion, where fluid remains in the middle ear without signs of infection.

Other conditions such as otosclerosis, glomus tumors, and cholesteatomas can also affect the middle ear, but they do not primarily present with the same symptoms or mechanisms associated with pain and fluid accumulation as seen in otitis media. These conditions may lead to hearing loss or more complex complications, but the direct connection to pain and fluid buildup is more characteristic of otitis media.

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