Childhood Ear Infections ... and what a parent sho

"Childhood Ear Infections ….. And What A Parent Should Do"

Did you know that the #1 reason why parents take their children to the pediatrician’s office is to look into symptoms of an earache? A majority of these visits result in a diagnosis of Otitis Media, or middle ear infection.

The most obvious symptom of Otitis Media is earache, combined with the feeling of pressure in the ear. Since young children do not know how to verbally describe what they are feeling, they usually cry for long periods of time and will rub or tug at the affected ear. If you are a parent of an infant or toddler, it is important that you educate yourself about this condition.

Why do children get ear infections?

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the paranasal sinuses, providing a drainage mechanism. Research shows that ear infections may be caused by improper drainage of fluids from the ear through the Eustachian tube. Improper drainage is often caused by spasm of tiny muscles within the ear, which inhibits clearance of the Eustachian tube. As a result, drainage and ventilation of that inner ear is nearly impossible, fluid builds up, and it creates an environment ripe for bacterial and viral infections.

Do medications help?
The preferred medical treatment today is prescription of oral antibiotics, most commonly amoxicillin. However, medical research has overwhelmingly shown that amoxicillin and other antibiotics are ineffective for the treatment of ear infection. Excessive antibiotics can weaken a child’s natural immune system as the antibiotics strip the body of necessary friendly bacteria, in addition to killing the infectious bacteria. This actually stimulates a pattern of chronic earaches and weakens a child’s overall immunity to other diseases.

Research published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) found that children who took amoxicillin for ear infections were two-to-six times more likely to have a recurrence than those who took a placebo. A study funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality concluded that nearly two-thirds of children with ear infections recover from pain and fever within 24 hours of diagnosis without treatment with antibiotics. And, over 80% recover within 1-7 days.

What other options are there?
Instead of treatment that focuses on the infection itself, a more natural approach would be to restore normal drainage of the ear and allow the child’s body to do the healing. Vitamin C and garlic are natural supplements that can help heal an ear infection, and a drop or two of warm olive oil in the ear can help relax and ease the discomfort. Children should not lie flat on their back while drinking from a bottle, but instead be held up at a 30-degree angle.

In numerous studies, chiropractic care has been shown to be beneficial in relieving the cause of ear infections. Corrective, gentle and specific chiropractic adjustments remove interference from the nervous system, thus restoring normal function to the small muscles in the ear and to the lymphatics. Once this interference is removed, the excess fluid in the ear drains, the appealing environment for bacteria to grow is removed, and the infection heals on its own. Once normal drainage is restored, the recurrence of ear infection is greatly reduced or removed.

While there is no guarantee that chiropractic care will eliminate the ear infections in your child, it does provide a non-invasive approach to your child’s health. Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about how your child might benefit from regular visits.

Dr. Pamela Stone is in private practice at Stone Family Chiropractic Center on Bells Ferry Road in Kennesaw, GA. She can be reached at 770-926-8746 or at drpstone@mindspring.com