Ear infections in children
14/01/2009 11:34Middle ear infections, or otitis media, affect two-thirds of American children by 2 years of age, and chronic ear infections affect two-thirds of children under the age of 6.
Ear infections are the most common diagnosis in children and account for more than 50 percent of all visits to pediatricians. It has been conservatively estimated that approximately $8 billion is spent annually on medical and surgical treatment of earache in the United States with an estimated one million children receiving ear tubes each year.
Children are especially susceptible to this condition due to their unique anatomy. The tube that allows drainage of the middle ear to the back of the throat is called the eustachian tube, and is more horizontal than vertical in children. This prevents fluid from easily flowing out of the middle ear and also makes it easier for bacteria and viruses to get in.
Beyond anatomy, and possibly genetics, some risk factors for getting ear infections include day care attendance, the use of wood-burning stoves, exposure to secondhand smoke, food allergies, and not being breastfed.
The standard medical approach to acute ear infections in chidren is antibiotics, analgesics (e.g. acetaminophen, and/ or antihistamines). While the routine use of antibiotics for this condition is becoming more scrutinized, they are still the treatment of choice for severe illness and very young children. However, if your child is diagnosed with a mild ear infection you may want to consider some of the following recommendations before moving onto antibiotic therapy.
Warm compresses: Hydrotherapy with warm compresses applied for 15 minutes every 2-4 hours or as required. One can also use a warm baked potato wrapped in a cloth and held away from the ear.
Herbal ear drops: Herbal ear oil drops can be used with success, however, it is important to consult with your naturopathic physician before use. They will ensure the correct preparations are being used and should perform an exam before beginning this treatment. These preparations should not be used if the ear drum has ruptured or if ear tubes have been placed.
For the prevention of chronic reccurent infections consider the following:
Potential allergies: For an acute infection this may not be as critical. However for chronic recurrent infections, studies have estimated that 85-93 percent of these children have allergies — 16 percent to inhalants only, 14 percent to food only and 70 percent to both. It is my experience that common food allergens include dairy, wheat, eggs, citrus, soy and peanuts. However, to avoid any unneccessary food restrictions, testing may be necessary.
Xylitol: Xylitol is a polyol sugar alcohol found in fruits including plums, strawberries, raspberries, and rowan berries. It appears to act by preventing attachment of various pathogenic bacteria to the respiratory lining and has been shown to be 30-40 percent effective in preventing ear infections when used as either a gum or syrup five times per day for two to three months.
Remember, a good diagnosis is of the utmost importance and while a severe ear infection may require more aggressive treatment, milder infections may be managed in gentler ways.
source : www.helenair.com
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