More commonly known as an ear
infection, Otitis media is one of the
most common childhood illnesses. Ear infections develop due to a buildup of
bacteria or a viral infection behind the eardrum, also known as the middle ear. This buildup is due to a
blockage of the Eustachian tube,
which connects the inner ear to the throat.
This tube can become blocked or swollen for several different reasons,
including sinus infections, colds, allergies, smoking tobacco and more. Ear
infections can be very painful as they develop, building up both inflammation
and pressure behind the eardrum without any way to drain.
Ear
infections are most common in children because they have a much smaller Eustachian
tube, ultimately making it easier to become clogged. There are also several
different factors that leave you and your child at risk for developing fluid
behind the ear. Those risk factors include; altitude changes, recent illness or
previous ear infections, and tobacco smoke. For a child, it has been found that
early bottle use and the use of a pacifier have shown later susceptibility to
otitis media. The continuous sucking on both bottle and pacifier cause the
Eustachian tube to stay open abnormally long allowing bacteria and more an easy
passage into the ear. A team of pediatricians from Finland found that through
limiting the use of a pacifier, you
can reduce your child’s risk of contracting otitis
media.
Whether you
have experienced the many symptoms of an ear infection or not, there are many
common symptoms that you should keep an eye out for. The most common and
recognized are fever, fluid draining from the ear, lack of sleep and even a
loss of appetite. Other symptoms that are
not often associated with ear infections include popping and/or ringing in the
ear. As pressure builds up, it not only causes pain in the ear, but it alters
how the eardrum picks up vibration which can be translated into that ringing or
popping. Often, if this happens in a child and they are unable to communicate
that their ear(s) hurt, they will rub their ear in attempt to alleviate the pain.
In adults or young adults, they may experience difficulty in hearing beyond the
ringing; sounds will seem muffled or distorted. A severe symptom that can cause
more serious issues beyond the infection itself, is a lack or loss of balance
and extreme dizziness.
Usually ear
infections are treated with an oral antibiotic, ear drops, or in more severe cases,
surgery. Surgery is typically a last resort form of treatment, and only used
when the infection has become a recurring issue. Although the surgery is
effective in draining the fluid built up behind the eardrum, it can potentially
cause hearing issues later in life due to the tube being inserted into the
eardrum. Antibiotics have been shown, on
occasion, to slightly decrease the duration of the ear infection. These antibiotics can decrease the body’s
natural immune system’s ability to operate at an optimal level, which is why
antibiotics should always be paired with probiotics. Also, it is very hard to
justify using an antibiotic when the ear infection is caused by a virus…yet
this happens all the time.
Many people
are not in favor of antibiotic treatment.
In terms of holistic or natural treatment – other options do exist. Consider the “watch-and-wait” method, which
has been well documented, as a form of natural treatment that allows the body
to fight infection on its own – minus the side effects of antibiotics. I have
had patients ask me if chiropractic can treat ear infections, to which my
response is typically that it has been known to help, but the purpose of
chiropractic care is not to treat any disease or condition; it is to reestablish
the body to its optimal efficiency bringing back proper bodily functions. With
chiropractic care, removing the nerve interference on the nervous system, the
body is better able to recognize foreign bodies of bacteria and viruses with
the purpose of expelling them. Chiropractic is a great option for those already
suffering from a painful ear infection, or those looking to prevent the ear
infection from occurring. The nervous system is the communication highway for
the body – it is integral in generating and coordinating the body’s immune
response and defense. With or without an ear infection, we should all start
paying closer attention to our nervous system in relation to our health,
whether that be preventative or reparative, in order for our bodies to reach
peak performance.